Page 39 of Beautiful Thing

He babbles back and forth with my little boy. No one seems to understand what’s being said between the two of them—besidesArcher and Sky—of course. It’s entertaining to watch.

Sky is reaching for Archer’s beard as usual. “Big musdache,” my child says.

Amusement takes over Archer’s face. “Wanna know how my mustache got so big?” he asks.

Sky whimpers, his head bobbing up and down as he stares at Archer, transfixed.

“When I was your age, I ateallllllmy vegetables.” Archer drapes a string bean over his top lip before dramatically gobbling it down.

Sky erupts into laughter, clearly delighted. He slaps his little palms on the highchair tray. “Again!”

Naturally, Archer does it again, giving himself a string bean mustache before devouring the veggie in the most theatrical way possible. Soon, the entire table is giving Archer funny looks for it.But the usually-stoic man doesn’t seem to notice or to care that he has an audience.

Before long, it becomes a game. Sky starts imitating Archer, making veggie mustaches and eating his vegetables all on his own.

Judging from his family’s reactions, it seems that Archer isn’t usually a fan of toddlers. But I’d never guess that from the way he’s always playing with Sky. And building blocks with him. And wrestling with him on the living room floor.

Finally, Grandpa Brighton speaks what seems to be on everyone else's mind.“Since when are you a guy who goofs around with babies?” the elderly man questions gruffly and I’m immediately reminded where Archer gets his scowly attitude from.

Archer shrugs. “Since a cool one showed up?”He goes right back to focusing on my kid.

Grandpa Brighton nods, amusement sparkling in his eyes. Everyone else just laughs.

The conversation moves on but my jaw is still hanging open. “Sky is eating…beans,” I mutter, stunned.

“You’re welcome.” Archer tosses me a wink.

I give my head a shake. “Really, Archer. Thank you. This is incredible.”

He momentarily goes serious and his soft, earnest gaze holds mine. “It’s nothing, Belle. I’ve got you. Both of you.”

When he says that, my heart turns to gravy inside my chest.Because, seriously, Archer Brighton—why do you have to be so wonderful?!

As dinner wears on, I notice a small smudge of creamy sauce clinging to the corner of Archer’s mustache. Reaching around the back of Sky’s seat, I tap Archer on the shoulder.

“You’ve got a little something…” I whisper, discreetly making a wiping motion at the edge of my lip.

He picks up his napkin and tries to clean up the mess. But he totally misses the mark. He leans around Sky’s chair to whisper back. “Did I get it?”

I give my head a slight shake. “No.”

He tries wiping his mouth again. “How about now?”

I wag my head some more. “It’s right there.” I point to the corner of his mouth.

On his next attempt, he misses again and I giggle. Too loudly.

I cast a glance around to see if anyone’s watching. We may be at a table full of people, but when Archer looks at me, sometimes I forget that there’s anyone else in the room.

“Now you’re laughing at me?” he hisses, his brown eyes glimmering with mock offense.

“How do you keep missing?” I titter more quietly now.

“Help me,” he demands, stretching his napkin my way.

I hesitate, glancing around again.

“So you’re just gonna let me sit here looking stupid?” he whispers, lifting a judgmental eyebrow at me. “You’re gonna let my mean brothers make fun of me?”

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