Page 30 of Archer

I fluttered my lashes up at him. “Well, we could—”

Archer’s chuckle cut me off as he bopped me on top of the nose with two fingers. “Not yet. If we’re going to spend the night together, it’s going to be after an evening together and having a nice dinner.”

“But I don’t have time for that until the night after tomorrow.” I resisted the urge to stomp my foot like a child.

“Then we’ll really have to make it count.” He winked at me.

Conceding defeat, I sighed. “Okay. Will you walk me out?”

“I planned on it. And then you’re going to text me as soon as you get home so I know you made it. I’m worried about you.”

Oh, this man. His concern for me made my heart soar. I felt like the most special person in the world. I’d known I wanted someone in my life, but I hadn’t realized how much I needed a Daddy who would dote on me. Someone truly mindful of me and how much I had on my plate. In reality, he was right, even if I didn’t want to admit it. I was shot, and if I had to drive home too much later than this, I’d risk falling asleep behind the wheel.

Archer gave me a passionate kiss goodbye that said anything other than I want you to leave, but then he helped me into the car, even going so far as to pull my seatbelt across my body. “Good night, sweet boy.” He gave me another quick kiss. “Don’t forget to text me.”

“Good night, Daddy.” He stayed standing right where I left him. As I pulled away, I saw him waving in my rearview mirror. I gave a quick honk and headed home.

By the time I pulled into the driveway, I was yawning nonstop, and my stomach was growling at me angrily. Archer had been right. I needed to eat. I sent him a quick text so that he’d know I was home and then made my way into the house.

The minute I stepped in the front door, my brother turned off the TV and called for me. I carried in my salad and dropped down next to him on the couch.

“I was worried you weren’t coming home in the evening ever again,” he said in a joking voice, but I heard the underlying seriousness.

I snorted. “Silly. Why in the world would you think that?”

He huffed. “With Mom and Dad being around so much, it felt like you were avoiding me.”

My salad was halfway out of the bag when I stopped and turned, gaping at him. “I may not want to see them, but that doesn’t mean I’m avoiding you.” I finished pulling my food out and setit on the coffee table. “In fact, I’d love to see Mom, too. It’s just after a long day, I don’t have the mental capacity to argue with our father.”

“I know.” He grunted, sounding frustrated. “I wish we could make him see reason.”

Shrugging, I said, “Eventually, he will.” At least I hoped so. “It’ll probably take me getting Harmony and Joy off the ground.” I wrinkled my nose. “Actually, it will probably take me not having to crash in your spare room for him to believe that this is successful.” God knew when that would happen, but I kept that thought to myself.

“Then where have you been lately?” he asked. “I’ve hardly seen you.”

I fought to hold back my smile as I lifted a bite of food toward my mouth, but this was my brother. He caught my almost-grin and smirked. “Are you holding out on me?”

I pointed at my full mouth, chewing my food dramatically.

By the time I swallowed, we were both laughing. “Come on, little brother.” He poked me in the side. “Give me the details. You’ve met someone, haven’t you?”

I nodded eagerly. Screw trying to play it cool. This was Ben. He was the first person I’d told I was gay, and he knew all my secrets. “Are you sure you want to know?”

He pulled a leg up onto the couch and got comfortable. “Tell me everything.”

I giggled. Welp, he asked for it. So I talked his ear off until bedtime, telling him about the broody guy I used to lust after from afar, to how he’d taken pictures and helped me with my website. I went on and on about our date and how special Archer made me feel. My brother listened attentively, smiling at all the right places. If it wasn’t for the financial stress of buying Aziza’s brand, I wasn’t sure life could get much better than this. I had a new Daddy, a kickass big brother, a yoga studio with the awesomest clients, and hopefully, a new friend in Elton. I was one blessed guy, and I knew it.

Chapter 13

Archer

It had been another day full of taking family holiday photos, but it hadn’t been a bad day at all. I’d taken photos of a baby who slept through most of the shoot and an older couple who were delightful, and now I was finishing up a shoot with a spirited little girl who’d been a real ham. Instead of trying to get her to pose most of the time, I’d had to reel her back in, but it had been fun, and we’d taken some excellent photos. There was one more I wanted to get because I thought her mother, Amy, would like it.

“What are you going to ask Santa to bring you for Christmas, Clara?”

“A Gabby’s Dollhouse doll house,” she said, her face lighting up with a smile.

“Oh, that sounds so cool.” I had no idea what Gabby’s Dollhouse was, but Clara was obviously excited about it.