“I asked if there was something you needed and that’s why you came here?”
“Shit, that’s right. Yeah. Well, you know, you know it’s almost Christmas Eve, right?”Damn it, Phoebe. He obviously knows when Christmas Eve is. Stop being stupid and try to string together a coherent sentence like the intelligent woman you are.Thankfully, Archer doesn’t acknowledge the stupidity of my question. He merely nods and waits for me to continue. “I was wondering if you wanted to come for dinner at my place? My parents will be coming to visit and they’d like to meet you.”
The surprise on his face is quickly eclipsed by a huge grin. “Really?” He pauses and appears to think for a moment. “I’d love to. What can I bring?”
“Nothing.” I breathe a sigh of relief. For a second I almost thought he would say no. “Just bring yourself. I’m cooking everything other than dessert. Charlie volunteered to be in charge of that, so be prepared to hear the smoke detector going off every five minutes. Also, don’t be surprised when dessert is black on the bottom, like those cookies she made that first day you came by.” I chuckle.
“I thought that was because Eric kept knocking on the door and distracting her.”
“Nope. She is infamous for her baking disasters. Yet, for some reason, she insists on baking. All. The. Time. She says it helps relieve stress. I’m not sure how, though, with every baking session punctuated by the sounds of a smoke detector. Sometimes I wonder if she’s hard of hearing from so many years of setting off fire alarms, but the way she responds when Lincoln cries in another room, even when I’ve forgotten to turn the baby monitor on, makes me doubt that.”
“That does make your theory of hearing loss less plausible.” He chuckles and hits me with that grin again. The ensuing flood of warmth reminds me of the situation in my pants.Stupid panty-melting grin. He makes it impossible to not be attracted to him. No wonder his girlfriend was mad when she found us alone together. She knows the effect he has on women and assumed I was halfway in love with him already.
“Well, I should get going,” I hurry to say. “Don’t want to keep you from work for too long. And I need to do some last-minute Christmas shopping. One great thing about babies that no one tells you? You can take them shopping with you to buy gifts for them and they’ll never be the wiser. I’ve bought all of Lincoln’s gifts while he was right there with me. He’s even been next to me when I’ve wrapped some of them.”
“That sounds convenient.”
“Right? Makes things a lot easier.” I take a step toward the hall to the front lobby.
“Let me walk you out,” Archer says, lifting the diaper bag from my shoulder and draping it over his own. “We might have our work cut out for us with finding MaeLynn and Lincoln. I’m not at all confident she didn’t find some people to introduce Lincoln to, despite telling her I wanted to do it myself.”
“Another reason babies are great. I can pretty much guarantee he won’t remember anyone he meets today, so you’re free to introduce him all over again.” I crack a grin and Archer chuckles.
“Well, I know that’s not true.” MaeLynn meets us as we enter the main lobby. “Lincoln and I have bonded. We’re best friends now. Isn’t that right, little man?” Strangely, Lincoln giggles and makes noises almost as though he agrees with her before tucking his head into her neck. “But I suppose it is time for you to go back to your mama.” She gives him one last squeeze before putting him in my arms and running a gentle hand over his fluffy red hair. “Such a sweet baby.”
Yeah, I know. The lucky kid got my ginger hair. Good thing he has his dad’s beautiful chocolate brown eyes to balance it out.
“It was nice to meet you, MaeLynn.”
“You too, sweetheart. Bring that baby around here anytime.”
MaeLynn continues past us down the hallway, and Archer leads me to the entrance and outside. Lincoln kicks his little legs until we get to the car and I get him in his car seat, where he’s suddenly intensely angry at being confined and makes it known by letting out a squawky little shriek. I shake my head and close the door. We’ll be home in a few minutes. I’m sure he can handle his car seat for that long.
“Is he alright?” Archer asks, his voice thick with concern. “He sounds hurt.”
I chuckle. “No, that’s his angry cry. He’s mad that he’s being confined in his car seat after being carried around for the last half hour. The mirror I have on the headrest doesn’t let him see as much as being held upright in someone’s arms does.”
“Oh, yeah. I guess that makes sense.”
I open the driver’s door and Archer passes me the diaper bag, which I throw into the passenger seat. “Okay, well. Thanks for taking the time to see me today. Dinner is at six on Christmas Eve, but come by anytime after four.” Without waiting for his reply, I drop into the driver’s seat and close the door. After pulling my keys out and starting the car, I open my window and wave.
He smiles, and with a wave of his own, turns and walks back to the building. He’s almost back to the door when I realize I forgot to tell Archer that his girlfriend is welcome to join us for dinner, too. I back out of my spot and pull up alongside him. “Archer,” I call out. “About dinner. I forgot to say you’re welcome to bring your…” My stomach drops, and the word “girlfriend” gets stuck in my throat. The best I can do is squeak out, “friend.” I stare at him for a moment before blurting, “Okay, bye.”
I stomp on the gas and peel out of the parking lot without waiting for an answer, leaving a confused-looking Archer standing in front of his building. My eyes flick down from his face to Lincoln’s reflection in the rearview mirror.
Is it possible for a baby to suffer second-hand embarrassment? Because the way he’s looking at me right now leads me to believe they can.
At least one good thing came from the visit. Unless he’s attempting to lull me into a false sense of security, nothing about Archer’s behavior gave me the impression that he’s going to fight for custody of Lincoln. Not yet, at least.
Chapter 20
Where's Krampus When You Need Him?
Archer
IstareafterPhoebe’scar as she drives out of the parking lot, my heart longing to chase after her. I wish we were shopping together. At least I have Christmas dinner to look forward to.
What was that she said as she drove out of here fast enough to make even the most dedicatedFast and Furiousfan proud? Bring my friend? Oh, she must mean Eric. That seems odd since she didn’t seem to like him very much when we were at her place. Of course, she didn’t seem to like me very much when we were there the first time, either, and she still invited me. But she said to bring him, so she must be okay with him after all.
