Page 4 of Starry Night Kisses

“Yeah,” I reply softly. “So, whatexactlyis it that you do for work, anyway?”

“I’m a lead cybersecurity specialist for a large corporation. They just moved their headquarters to New York, so I’ve had to go back and forth a lot. I think they’re looking to merge with another big tech company there, which, unfortunately for me, means longer hours and a possible second home at this rate.” He sounds frustrated—all his earlier playfulness depleted with one simple phone call.

“What do you do with Archer if you’re always gone?”

Eric has the grace to look embarrassed as he admits, “I’m one of those assholes who got him licensed as an emotional support animal. I know I’m awful. But I can’t bear to put him down in cargo, and I buy him his own seat. Honestly, I’m kinda like his emotional support human, so, really, it works out.”

A soft laugh escapes me. Archer has separation anxiety, so it does track.

“But New York City is no place for a German shepherd. Not unless I want to buy a townhouse with a yard, and I don’t like the city enough to drop that much money on a place.”

I don’t really know what to say to that. So, I just reply with, “Sounds exhausting.”

He sighs, turning into a large complex and pulling the truck into guest parking. “It sure the hell is.”

Eric helps me out of the truck, and it’s not until we’re in the elevator that I realize we’re still holdinghands. It feels natural, and the size of his palm against mine feels like our hands were made to fit together.

A woman who introduces herself as Maggie, Henry’s mother, opens the door when we arrive. She and Eric exchange pleasantries before leading us further into the giant penthouse. I knew Daphne came from money, but this is a level of wealth that makes me feel out of place.

Everything is some shade of beige or cream. There are crystal chandeliers and matching furniture edged in what looks like real gold. Off to the right is a set of French doors leading out to a rooftop that looks like…

“Is that a garden?” I ask, shock lacing my voice. Bright, colorful flowers are in full bloom even though it’s the middle of January, and beyond them, a turquoise pool is situated at the very end, overlooking the city.

Eric laughs. “Oh yeah, it’s very popular. There are windows that keep the temperature where it needs to be, but they can be retracted in the summer.”

What in the rich people?

“Evie! You made it!” Daphne exclaims as she comes out of a door on the other side of the living room, sounding well-rested for just giving birth a week ago.

When I turn, Henry is next to her with a bundle of pink in his arms, speaking softly to their newborn as he carries her over to show off his newest pride andjoy. Proud papa doesn’t even begin to categorize the look on his face.

Daphne looks like she just came from a photo shoot, dressed in a dusty blue maxi dress and a cream open-front shrug sweater. Her long blonde hair is piled on top of her head in a way I can only dream of doing with mine, and Eric’s eyes warm when he sees her, sending a tiny flit of annoyance through me.

“Hi. Congratulations, by the way. She’s beautiful.” I return the hug she gives me before turning my attention to their little girl. “Hi there, little Roselyn.”

“Is this for us? Oh my goodness, it’s beautiful! I’ve never seen anything like this before. Did you make it?” Daphne asks, taking the bouquet from my hands. I’m glad I decided to stick with the beige and pink instead of making it too bright.

“Yeah, it’s just a little something I played around with. I thought it would be cute in her nursery.” I look over at Eric, who is cooing at Roselyn with a beaming smile. He moves like he’s going to try to take her from Henry, but proud papa’s arms tense, and Eric immediately backs off, holding his hands up in surrender.

“Oh, Henry!” Daphne swats at him. “Let him hold her.” She turns back to me. “Do you wanna see the nursery? We have one here and at the other house; I’ll have to commission you to make one for there, too. Maggie! Come look at what Evie made.”

As we walk through the house, Maggie joins us, oohing and ahhing over the bouquet. “Oh, the ladiesin my gardening club would just love this. We should hire you to come teach us how to make these!”

The nursery is swathed in cream with pink embellishments everywhere. It’s filled with stuffed animals and toys that Roselyn is years away from enjoying, a fully stocked closet, and a crib that I somehow feel she won’t need anytime soon. Henry seems pretty content with her nestled in his arms, and it wouldn’t surprise me if he sleeps upright just so he can keep holding her.

I won’t lie. It’s hard being in this room. It takes everything I have to shove the tears down as I feel them pricking my eyes.

“Do you like to decorate? I can only imagine what your place looks like if you’re able to make cool things like this. I can stage and pick out things, but I don’t have a creative bone in my body.” Daphne laughs as she places my gift on a shelf by the window.

Managing to swallow my grief, I nod, even though she can’t see me. “I do. I love to create things and paint.”

“Oh! Maybe you can paint something in here! I was thinking something like a fairytale woodland creature vibe, you know? Something mystical and magical,” Daphne explains.

My first thought is how on earth I can manage to do it without breaking down, but after that comes the idea that it would be a great opportunity to showcase my abilities for my social media account.

You can’t dwell on the past, Evie.

By the time we return to the living room, where the guys are now sitting on the couch, Henry—much to our surprise—is handing Roselyn over to Eric, fussing about him holding her head just right. Maggie is standing behind them, watching over Henry’s shoulder and lightly scolding him about how Eric is an adult and can handle holding a baby.

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