“Gigi!” she calls. “Come see my daddybug’s wings.”
“You have a really special relationship with her.” Arlo’s words remind me he witnessed my exchange with Ava.
“She’s everything to me. Seeing her so happy and carefree makes me think I’ve not messed up entirely.” I’ve loved Ava from the moment I saw her wrinkled face and loud screams as she came out into the world, but being a young parent and someone who didn’t always make the best choices, I had doubts that I could be good for her.
“Has it always been just the two of you?” Arlo asks. “Fuck, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked.”
I laugh. “Sounds like you need your own swear jar.”
“Don’t tell on me. Ava thinks I’m a wing-making fairy. I don’t want her to find out I’m only human.”
I’m starting to think Arloismore thanjusta human, but I probably shouldn’t voice those thoughts.
“I’ll keep your secret.” I wink. “To answer your question. Yes. It’s always been just us. I thought I was in a forever relationship and we both wanted to be parents. As it turns out, I wanted to be a parent more than he did.”
“You must have been quite young.” Once again, Arlo catches himself.
I lean over the workbench. My eyes zero in on his full lips before moving up to his eyes. “Mr. Wing-Making Fairy, are you fishing for info on me?”
He bites his lip, but it doesn’t stop the corners of his mouth from curling up into a smile. “Maybe.”
“I was twenty-two when Ava was born, which means I’m now twenty-eight. And single.”
I don’t know why I added that second part because I have no intention of getting into a new relationship so soon after returning to Stillwater.
The thought of everything that went wrong before is like an ice bucket poured over me. I promised Liv I would keep my head down, and I intend to keep my promise.
Though looking at Arlo’s eyes, mouth, and the exposed tanned skin of his neck makes me want to break my resolve.
He smiles but doesn’t say anything.
“Can I repay you for the wings? You’ve put so much work into them.”
He waves his hands. “Oh no, you don’t need to pay me. Honestly, seeing Ava so happy is enough. She’s a great kid.”
Even though Arlo doesn’t want payment, I know I’ll feel bad if I don’t do something for him. The thought hits me as I notice one thing missing from his walls.
“Do you have a website?” I ask.
“Yeah,” he says, looking a little dejected. “It needs a serious uplift, but I’m not the best at taking photos, so I haven’t added anything in months.”
“I am,” I say.
“You’re what?”
“Good at taking photos. In fact, I’m fucking awesome at it.”
He chuckles, and I shrug. I’ll put a buck in the jar later.
“I’m a photographer,” I clarify. “Making cocktails is my superpower, but I’m not usually a bartender.”
“Wow, really? That’s amazing.” He runs his hand over the back of his neck. “I might actually take you up on it. I have quite a few pieces I haven’t listed yet because I don’t have photos.”
“Let me know what works for you. I’ll check my shifts at The Academy and if Liv can stay with Ava.”
“Okay.”
We stare at each other for a moment. I know I shouldn’t indulge, but everything about Arlo pulls me in, and I can’t explain it. I can’t even remember the last time I felt this way about anyone.
