Page 37 of The Archer and his Rosebud

“We’re watching Netflix.”

Fine. “I have the oversized couch.” The growing temptation to stay longer and later plagues me when I’m in her apartment. If they’re at my place, there’s a clear separation time. Willa can’t stay all night with Clem. She needs her crib, her noise machine, her black-out curtains.

And I need a change of subject. “I spread the blanket on the floor for her.”

“You’re acting weird.” Willa moves to lay Clem down while I grab drinks and napkins.

“Leah pushed my buttons when I dropped off the boys.”

Curiosity flashes in Willa’s eyes when she joins me at the kitchen table, but whatever she wants to know, she doesn’t ask. I’m not sure if I’m disappointed or relieved.

“How’s Nolan’s hand today?” She tears off a bite of crust with her fingers.

“Good. He pitched a fit this morning when I insisted he let me clean the wound and replace the bandage, but we were able to have a good time after that. I even got him to ride his bike for a bit.”

“Oh, I call that a win. I’m glad he’s okay.”

She pops another bite of crust and my gaze locks on her soft mouth.Dammit. What’s going on with my thoughts tonight?

“He did mention you, though.” Her brows lift. “It was Eli who wanted to ride bikes and when I told Nolan we didn’t have to if he’d rather not, he refused my offer. Said he didn’t want to be scared like Willa.”

Willa drops her pizza slice on her plate. “That little rat. He was calling me out for being a wuss.”

To keep from waking Clem, I lean into the table, moving closer to Willa. “Wanna share why my son thinks you’re a wuss?”

Disgruntled but amused, Willa relays the story she shared with Nolan that sent him after my bike, which caused his injury. “Just wait until I see your son again, Archer. If I teach Eli how to sneak reptiles into Nolan’s things you can’t get mad.”

My stomach hurts from suppressing the hilarity. “I hate to be the bearer of bad news and ruin your evil plans, but my boys aren’t squeamish when it comes to bugs and lizards.” Willa pouts and finally, my laughter breaks free, rolling from my lips until I’m wiping away tears. God, she looks beautiful when she’s happy. I like this change since she saw her doctor.

Because I can’t tell her what I’m thinking, I tease her. “I guess I know how Devin terrorized you growing up.”

“It’s not funny.” Willa grumbles, shoving away from the table when Clementine releases a shout to rival mine.

Pushing back my chair, I catch Willa by the arm and tug her back into her seat. “You stay. I woke her, I’ll take care of her.”

We’re watching The Office,Clem on my lap and Willa on the couch beside me, when my lovely neighbor turns with a jerk. “I’m going to ask you something that might overstep the bounds of our friendship. You have every right to say no, okay?”

“What is it?”

“Tell me you understand that you can say no.” I scowl. Willa cocks her head. “I’m not asking until you agree.”

“Fine. I can say no.”

“I don’t know if I believe you believe it.”

My lips twitch. “Willa.”

“My savings account is hemorrhaging and my rent exceeds the living allowance set by my student loans. I need to work. Ruby found me a spot to teach a dance preview class two days a week at the studio, but she needs me at nine-thirty in the morning. And with her girls back in school, I can’t rely on them.”

Clem yelps and I stand her on my knees, jiggling her. “What really invasive thing are you asking me?”

“Do you think you could watch Clem for an hour and a half, two at the most, twice a week?”

Pressing my mouth into a firm line, I cock my head. “Of course, I will.”

“The classes run through November, not too long. I can’t justify daycare without more hours and even though Ruby has told me to bring Clem to the studio, I hate imposing. I—”

I rest my hand on her knee. “Willa, I said yes.”

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