“Let me. I feel useless otherwise.”
“Alright.” I release my grip, then fill the bowl with utensils.
He sets it in the sink and fills it with water. I wipe the counter, and Archer gently takes my wrist. “Stop. Go sit.”
I contemplate arguing but decide against it. “I’m not used to having help, so you’ll have to forgive me,” I tell him.
He drops my arm and smirks. “Well as long as I’m here, you don’t have to do everything. I’ve spent years feeling like a burden. Plus, I like having things to do.”
“I’m sure Tyler will keep you plenty busy at the gym.” I grab my wineglass and refill it. Taking a sip, I happily watch the show in front of me.
Archer’s biceps tense under his sleeves, and it’s hard not to imagine him manhandling me in bed. Veins pop down his forearms to his hands, and I wonder how it’d feel to have his fingers wrapped around my throat.
“Everleigh?”
I blink to clear my inappropriate thoughts. “I’m sorry. What?”
“I asked where your dishwasher detergent was.”
“Oh, sorry. Um…left cabinet underneath the sink.”
Archer continues cleaning in silence as I drink my wine and admire him. Tyler demanded I stay away from Archer, and that’s not fair.
Especially since I’m already tempted as hell to break all the rules.
The following morning, I wake up and immediately smell hazelnut brewed coffee. It takes me a second to remember that I didn’t set the timer. I open my door and scan the living room. My gaze lands on a shirtless Archer opening the fridge and pulling out the bottle of creamer. Sassy watches him with amazement as she sits and drools over the view. Same, girl, same.
“Mornin’,” I say, walking closer.
He spins around and fuck me if my eyes don’t land on the appendage between his legs that’s currently saluting me.
“Good morning. Since you made coffee yesterday, I figured I would today.”
“Wow…um…thank you. Smells delicious.”
“You want this flavor? Vanilla?” He holds up the bottle.
“Yes, please. Just a little.”
He stirs it in, then hands me the mug.
I smile graciously. “Thank you. Do you drink coffee?”
“Yes, but just black. None of that sugary shit.”
“Hey.” I scowl. “That sugary shit is what gets me through the day.”
“Really? Not a morning person then?”
“Actually, I am, mostly because of work. Just takes me a bit to wake up. I love staying up late and binge-watching TV or going out, but either way, I’ll always need my coffee.”
He chuckles when I release a loud moan. “Duly noted. Keep you caffeinated.”
“And fed,” I add. “I tend to get hangry when I haven’t eaten.”
“Well, then I better get ready so we make it to Jerry’s on time.” He pierces me with his gaze after he catches me staring at his package again.
I blink and swallow down the hot liquid. “Oh, right. I gotta hop in the shower. Unless you wanna go first.”
“I can shower after you.”
I take another large gulp of coffee, hoping the warmth will calm the ache between my thighs. Once I’ve emptied my mug, I set it in the sink. “Or we could conserve water and take one together,” I sing-song over my shoulder.
Archer’s lips twitch as he tries to suppress a laugh, and I swear his cheeks redden just a little. “I’ll just wait till you’re done.”
“No fun,” I tsk.
After I’m done, Archer makes us some eggs, and we watch the last half of the Macy's Day parade. By noon, we arrive with my Better than Sex cake in hand. I can tell he’s nervous, but I’m determined to make sure he’s comfortable and has a good time. As soon as we walk in, we’re bombarded by everyone.
“Hey!” Gemma wraps her arms around me as Tyler gives Archer a bro hug.
Tyler introduces him to those who haven’t met him yet. Jerry’s rocking Scarlett in his arms, and Gemma still has her new mama glow, which I love seeing on her.
“The babies are here!” I gush when I spot Noah and Katie. “Can I hold them?”
“Of course, take your pick,” Katie teases. She has one, and Belinda’s got the other.
“Not mine. We’re besties now,” Belinda states.
“You have to share,” Owen chimes in. He’s Katie’s eleven-year-old son. “That’s what Mom tells me anyway.”
We laugh at his eye roll. I adore how much he already loves being a big brother.
I take one of the boys from Katie and softly rub the pad of my finger over his soft cheek. “What’s his name?” Archer leans over and asks.
“Uh…Finn. Wait. Luke.” I squint, trying to figure out which one I have. “Well, there’s a fifty-fifty chance of being right.”
“That’s Finn,” Katie corrects. “Luke has a little mole above his lip.”
“Ah, yes. I knew there was something like that.”
“He’s so tiny,” Archer says.
“They’re less than a week old,” I tell him. “Isn’t he precious?”
“When they’re sleeping,” Noah interjects. “Otherwise, one needs to be changed at the same time one wants the boob. Then they switch places.”
“That’s how newborns work, Daddy,” I tease him, then face Archer. “He’s a new father, can ya tell?”
“I basically raised my little sister, but I can’t say I’d ever be fully prepared for babies. Yours look pretty sweet, though.” Archer looks around, and his expression tightens. I can tell he didn’t mean to share that with everyone.
“Alright, kids. The turkey and fixin’s are ready. Find a seat,” Belinda announces, handing Scarlett over to Gemma.
“I can hold my niece while you eat,” I offer, handing Finn back to Katie so she can re-swaddle him.
“Oh no, I’ve mastered eating one-handed now.” Gemma waves me off.
“Oh come on, you’re just afraid I’m going to tell her all your secrets and where to buy the cheapest alcohol,” I taunt as we make our way to the dining room and sit.
“I take it you’re the cool aunt, huh?” Archer smirks as I sit next to him.
“Damn straight. Coolest aunt, coolest sister, coolest friend. You’re all welcome, by the way,” I beam.
Once Jerry carves the turkey and we say grace, we dig in. Owen talks about baseball while I make silly faces at Scarlett from across the table.
“So, I heard you had quite the birthday,” Katie says. “Sad I missed it.”
“Heard the morning after was the real party,” Gemma teases.
“Ha-ha. I had to drink for both of you since you didn’t come.”
“I was giving birth.” Katie snorts.
“I passed out by eight. Trust me, I wouldn’t have been good company,” Gemma says. “Between midnight pumping and getting up to take Owen to school, I’m a walkin’, talkin’ zombie until bedtime.”
“Aren’t you glad you’re rooming with the fun one?” I say to Archer.