Page 13 of The Archer and his Rosebud

At his voice, Clem wiggles at my breast, and I have to work to remain covered. Maybe I should be embarrassed to be caught breastfeeding, but I’m not. This is natural. I’m feeding my child. Women whip their boobs out in the middle of the mall all the time. While I don’t know if I’ll ever feel that free, I’ve already trusted Archer Thomas with a lot more than a possible boob shot.

“You can come in.”

Widening the door, he enters with Clem’s car seat. A stack of items from my console and glove box are piled in the chair. “I’ve got you all taped up and AutoSafe will have someone out tonight. I gave them my number so they wouldn’t bother you girls.”

I give up feeding as Clem screeches from beneath the blanket, her suction gone. “You should keep the car key. You’ll need it when they come?”

“Yeah, I guess I will.” Archer chuckles when the little beggar fights in my arms, twisting his way. I tug my bra and shirt into place as the blanket falls.

Taking the few steps across my apartment, he kneels to Clem’s level and coos, “Hey, pretty girl.”

I swear she smiles at him. I mean, who wouldn’t? The man is a bonafide knight in shining armor and a backward baseball cap.

“You look pretty today in that cozy striped jumper. Don’t think I didn’t notice, you little flirt.” He laughs when Clem’s little limbs flail and she coos. “Oh, yeah. You are such a flirt.”

“Oh, gosh, I was hoping she’d wait until she was twenty-five before the flirting kicked in.”

“Yeah, I bet. You look nice, too, by the way. Like maybe this little howler is giving you a break?”

“Nah, that’s just the magic of real clothes and make-up.”

Archer gives my bicep a squeeze and stands. “I’ll go so you can get her to eat. I’ll message you once the window is fixed.”

“Thank you,” I say for the hundredth time since I’ve met the man.

“Hey, Archer?” I call after him. “Is your offer still good? To go to the park.”

“Yeah, anytime.” He moves for the exit, then hesitates, scratching the back of his neck. “You know, I’ve got a new offer. Why don’t you two have dinner with us tonight? And we can watch a movie?”

An immediate refusal catches in my throat, and Archer must notice because he sweetens the deal with this new mom’s favorite words.

“C’mon, put her in her pj’s. You wear some sweats. The Thomas boys aren’t fancy.”

So tempting.“I don’t want to steal time with your sons.”

“Are you kidding? Eli asked about Clem every five minutes while we were securing your car. And Nolan might come off as indifferent because he’s quiet when he meets people, but he’s curious about you two.”

Dinner with friends or watching Law and Order reruns by myself? I waffle. “You’ve spent the day dealing with my mess, and it’s Monday. Didn’t you have work to do?”

“I’m my own boss, Willa. I’ll go easy on me.”

It’s the wink he throws my way that seals the deal. “Okay, as long as you’re sure.”

“I’m positive. We were cooking anyway. Come over whenever you’re ready. Since the car people might come at any time, I’ll be sure to have dinner ready by six.”

ChapterSix

ARCHER

So much fornot saving damsels in distress. Swiping the sweat from my forehead, I return to the apartment once Willa’s car window is fixed. Hoping for enough time to set the table and taste the pasta sauce before her arrival, I open the door to boisterous laughter. Laughter I’ve never heard before. Willa’s laughter. Toeing off my shoes, I kick them into the front closet and remain out of sight.

“The fireworks were starting, and right in front of me and Eli, she said to my dad, I’d start a revolution for your phone number.”

“Oh, my gosh.” Willa’s breathless laugh draws me from my hiding spot, eager to witness her pretty face wearing a full-blown smile.

And, damn, does she have a pretty face. I’m a single warm-blooded man, of course, I’ve noticed. All the spit-up and exhaustion in the world can’t cover her delicate beauty. Especially when she’s standing at the kitchen island next to my stoic eleven-year-old, and they’re giggling.

“What’s going on in this kitchen?”

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