Page 30 of Beautiful Thing

I break the eye contact. “You’ve got your receipt?”

“Yeah…” she says, still looking at me all starry-eyed.

“Returns or exchanges are available within ninety days of purchase.” I announce the store policy in a robotic voice.

“M‘kay,” she breathes out.

I turn to walk back inside.

Kathryn takes a few steps after me. “It was great seeing you again, Archer,” she repeats.

I just keep on walking. “I can’t say the same,” I grumble.

“Ouch!” I hear her mutter. But I’m guessing she can’t take a hint because she keeps on talking. “For what it’s worth—you two make a cute couple.”

That statement gets my feet to stop. I glance over my shoulder. “Who?”

“You and the girl at the cash,” Kathryn says ruefully. “Layla? That’s what her name tag says. Her name is Layla. She’s obviously a little young for you but still…cute.”

My heart gives a hard thump inside my chest. Layla and me? A couple? Ha! I fucking wish.

But I’m not about to stand here and discuss my unrequited crush or the pathetic state of my dating life with my evil ex-girlfriend.

“Thank you for your purchase, Kathryn. Have yourself the day you deserve.” I stomp inside, letting the heavy metal door slam in her face.

11

LAYLA

Ilift Sky out of the bath tub, pressing a kiss to the top of his head as I wrap him in a fluffy towel.

His little mouth opens wide on a yawn that is way too big for his tiny body.

I can tell that today was a long day for him. I know he’ll be out like a light the second his head touches the mattress.

“We say ‘excuse me’ when we yawn,” I remind my baby boy.

“‘Scooseme,” he mimics, bringing a smile to my face. He rubs his eyes with his fist. “Go night-night, Mommy?”

“Yes, sweetie. We go night-night.”

Laying him on the cozy bed in Archer’s guest bedroom, I sing a lullaby to him as I rub lotion on his chunky thighs. When I gently tickle the bottoms of his feet, his innocent laughter reminds me of how grateful I am to be his mother. Life may seem like an eternal string of rough patches these days, but Sky is the silver lining that makes it all worth it.

I get him dressed in his adorable forest-patterned pajamas. Then I give him a soothing tummy rub as I read him one of his board books. Like I predicted, he’s falling asleep within minutes.

“Wubyou, Mommy…” he mumbles as he drifts off, clutching his favorite lumberjack teddy bear to his chest.

A knot forms in my throat. “Love you, too, my Sky.”

I shimmy out of my leggings and cozy up in bed in just my T-shirt. Snuggling up beside my little boy, I turn off the lamp and stare into the darkness of the bedroom for a moment. My thoughts roam to Archer and I wonder what he’s doing on the other side of that wall right now.

He cooked us another delicious dinner tonight. It was one of Karli’s cooking boxes. But he’d been extra quiet throughout the meal. In fact, he’s barely said a word since his ex-girlfriend waltzed into the hardware store this afternoon and casually stomped all over the good vibes.

Kathryn Campbell doesn’t remember me. I’m not surprised. I was just a kid when she and Archer were dating. But I remember back when they were a couple. I’d see them together whenever I’d hang out with Karli at the Brighton house.

In those days, I was convinced that Archer was a real-life Prince Charming. I definitely remember how he treated Kathryn like his princess.

It wasn’t just the way he’d open every door for her and carry her book bag around. It was the way he’d listen intently to her every word. The way he’d rearrange all his plans just to suit her. He looked at her like she hung the moon with her own bare hands. That’s the way every girl wants to be loved, and Archer gave that love to Kathryn.

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