Page 65 of The Archer and his Rosebud

“You just…know.” Mom draws back with a warm smile. “I wish I had a magic answer, but I don’t. Your father and I were happy, until he wasn’t. I don’t think we were a bad choice. Being in love with him brought me you and your brother.”

“Life is all about choices. Some are good, some are bad, and some bring us to where we need to be. With every curse you’ve attached to Ty’s name, I still can’t hate the man. If you hadn’t been with him, we wouldn’t have Clementine.”

A smile touches my lips. “Archer says the same thing about his ex.”

“He’s a smart man.” Mom turns back to the sink. “And you are a smart woman. You’ll decide your future using your head and your heart, and you girls will be just fine.”

* * *

With Devinand Mom on a flight back to Michigan, I seek solace at Archer’s Sunday night, curling into his side on the couch while Clementine has tummy time on the floor.

“Was it good having your family here?” Archer draws me close. “All that shopping and cooking and laughter with Dev.”

“So good, but also hard. It’s easy to go about life, staying busy or forgetting what it’s like having my mom around until she visits and I realize how much I miss her.” Tipping my head back, I peer up at him. “I should’ve asked before, but what would you have done if you didn’t spend Thanksgiving with us? Would you have flown home to Texas?”

“Probably, but I never considered it.” He shrugs.

“Oh, no.” I sit back. “Did I keep you from going to see your family? Arch, you should’ve told me.”

“Not at all. I wanted to be here, Willa. With you.” Archer combs his fingers through my hair. “If I wanted to fly home, I would have.”

“Really?”

“Yes, really.” He offers a small smile. “And if your mom and Devin couldn’t come, and I did go home, I’d have taken you with me.”

“Stop it.” I shove his chest. “No, you wouldn’t have.”

“I sure as hell would’ve tried. Paige would have happily kidnapped you for Black Friday shopping, and my mom would have doted on Clem. She’s dying for a granddaughter to spoil.”

“You’re crazy.” How could he consider flying us home? We’ve dated for less than a month.

“Why would I want to spend the holidays away from you?” Archer pulls me back in, pressing a kiss below my ear. “You’re where I want to be.”

Unable to suppress a shiver, I turn and plant one on his mouth. Archer’s tongue slips between my lips, and I suck in a breath as he cinches his arm around my waist. His other hand sinks into my hair, cradling the nape of my neck.

I grip his firm thigh, searching for security from the onslaught of emotions Archer’s touch arouses. After the lesson Ty taught, I’m surprised intimacy is something I crave. I can’t get close enough to Archer. I want more, more, more. My palm inches up his thigh, my fingers dangerously close to his zipper, when Clem grunts.

Abandoning his mouth with reluctance, I spy poor Clem rubbing her face back and forth on the blue blanket she’s commandeered from Eli. “I should get this tiny girl to bed.”

“Why don’t you put her down here?” Damp lips trail down my neck. “She can sleep in the boys’ room.”

Giving Archer room to work with, I tip my head and close my eyes. “She won’t sleep well without her stuff.”

His mouth disappears. “So, why don’t I set up her porta crib in there? You can stay the night.”

My jaw drops, and my eyes pop open. Did he just ask me to sleep over?

“No pressure. Nothing more than sleep. And maybe a little kissing and second base.” Chuckling low, he taps my chin, closing my gaping mouth before nibbling my lower lip.

“Second base, huh?” I tweak his pec.

“Third, if you’re feeling especially adventurous.” He smirks, teasing.

“You’re incorrigible.”

“Damn straight.” Archer captures my mouth again, his fingers gripping the roots of my hair.

“Are you sure?” I ask, breathless, between kisses.

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