I smile and shake my head. Archer may be known around town as a recluse, but the man never fails to draw female attention wherever he goes. He’sfine,and the women of Starlight Falls know it.
Archer ignores them expertly, though, stepping up to my side and helping me with Sky’s million items. Loading up his big arms with diaper bags, sippy cups and naptime blankets.
Sky’s eyes light up as he wiggles in my arms. “Hewo, Mista Musdache!”My heart explodes to see him so happy to see Archer.
“Hey, my man. Did you have a fun day?” Archer greets him with a big, playful smile.
Blushing and nodding, Sky buries his face in my neck, so overjoyed to see his friend that he can’t even contain it.
We get my son secured into his carseat—while the daycare workers watch, their faces pressed up to the windows—and then we head home with Sky’s favorite tunes blasting through the truck.
Archer glances across at me as he drives. “I’ve been meaning to ask you, what are we doing for Sky’s birthday?”
Come again?I turn toward him with a frown, not sure I heard him correctly.
“Sky’s birthday,” he repeats.
My brain sputters. “You remember my son’s birthday?”
He gives me a funny look. “Yeah. Of course I do. I haven’t heard you mention plans. Are we having a party?”
“I…I hadn’t been planning on it.” A glum smile pulls at the corners of my lips. “I was thinking Sky and I would just drive down to Hot Dog Almighty in Honey Hill for a kids’ meal and maybe check out the pet shop in town on the way back.”
Archer sits behind the wheel, looking genuinely disappointed. “Oh…I thought we’d be having a party.”
My eyebrows furrow at him. “You don’t even like birthday parties. If I remember correctly, you tried to run out the door at your own b-day bash.”
He shakes his head. “That was different. Grown-up parties are boring. Sky’s party would be fun.”
I turn to look out the window, my heart suddenly growing heavy. Itwouldbe fun. But it’s a little hard to throw a party when you’re technically homeless. I definitely can’t afford to rent aplace for the event. So I’d been planning to keep the celebrations small this year. Just Sky and me.
“Come on,” Archer presses, poking me in the shoulder. “You could invite some of the kids from his daycare.”
My bulging eyes flash to him. “Toyourhouse?”
“Yes.” He grins charmingly. “We could hire a clown or a fire-breather or whatever it is two-year-olds like.”
My heart goes pitter-patter.We. He keeps sayingwe.And every time he says it, I melt a little bit inside.
“You’d be okay with a bunch of snotty-nosed toddlers running around your house?” I question.
Archer acts offended. “Snotty-nosed toddlers? Be careful how you talk about Sky’s friends. ‘Cause Sky’s friends are my friends.”
I bark out a loud laugh.
“We need a party!” Archer glances into the back seat. “Right, buddy?”
My son grins wide. “Pawty!”
The handsome lumberjack turns an expectant smile at me. “We need a party, Layla,” he pleads.
This is the man who, just weeks ago, was going on and on about how much he loves his solitude. And now he’s all but begging me to throw a party at his house? If this isn’t personal development, I’m not sure what is.
I purse my lips together, trying not to give away my own excitement. “Fine. We’ll do a party.”
Archer throws a fist in the air and whoops out loud. Sky follows suit, the two of them filling the vehicle with happy noises. And I just smile.
My brain gets busy, going over the details. The guest list. The decorations. The food. The fact that Archer is so deeply invested in celebrating the very existence of my child.