Page 71 of More Than an Ex-Girlfriend

Primrose bumps her shoulder against my side, which in my book counts as flirting. “You wish.”

“I absolutely do.” I lean down so that only she can hear me. “Do I get to see you in a swimsuit?”

“Not today, cowboy.” She pats my arm, then walks away.

It’s not the first time she’s given me that answer. And I’m very pleased she didn’t respond with never. That means there’s still hope.

Archer waves and taps the table beside him.

I fill my plate with a burger and two hot dogs, then drop down beside him. “This is quite the shindig.”

“Yep. They throw a party every year. And later, most of us drive over to the county park where they do a fireworks display. You going?”

“I plan on it.”

He leans closer. “What did she call you?”

I’m acutely aware that Bailey’s nickname for me sounds similar to daddy. “DeeDee. When I told her my name was Anderson, she told me that my name was kind of long. So I said she could call me Andy, but instead, she calls me DeeDee.”

“It’s sweet watching y’all interact.”

“She’s a cute kid.” In truth, my heart melts when Bailey acts like I’m her favorite person in the world, and I’m not sure what I did to deserve it. I pull out my phone and send Archer a quick text.

Me:CONGRATULATIONS!

He beams and shows Lettie the text. Her smile is even brighter than his.

That’ll be one lucky kid because they’ll be great parents.

I finish my lunch, and it isn’t long before Bailey is tapping my arm.

She swipes at the wet strands of hair covering her goggles. “Are you ready to swim?”

“Yes, ma’am.” I walk over to where Primrose is sitting and make eye contact with her before slowly removing my shirt.

The only reaction I get is an eyebrow twitch. I must’ve really impressed her.

BONUS EPILOGUE

ARCHER

I’m stretched out on the living room floor, preparing for impact. Lettie rubs her very pregnant belly and laughs as Mateo—named after her father—throws himself onto my stomach.

Wrestling is his favorite pastime. And thanks to Lettie’s cooking, I have extra cushion around my middle now.

“Oof.” I wrap myself around him and tickle his sides.

He squeals, “Daddy, stop. I want to jump on you again.” For a three-year-old, he’s very opinionated. Or maybe they’re all that way, and parents keep it a secret from non-parents so that the world continues to be populated.

“One more time, but then we have to get cleaned up for brunch. Grandma’s coming.”

Lettie ties on her apron. “I think I hear a car.”

Mateo takes another flying leap, landing on my gut. Then he springs to his feet and runs to the bathroom. “I want to sit by Grandma.”

Grunting, I maneuver to my feet, then hug my wife. “I think I’m glad this next one is a girl. But who knows? Maybe she’ll like wrestling too.”

“She might.” Lettie rubs my back. “It was kind of Lilith to push dinner back an hour. I want to have dinner over there, but...”

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