‘That I want something more than what we’re doing. A real relationship.’
‘So just tell him that.’
‘Do you think we can do it and get it out of our systems?’
Iris laughed so loud that it startled Owen awake. He looked at her accusingly. ‘Oops.’ She winced, leaning down to pick him up when he started to fuss.
‘That’s a no, then?’ Daisy asked.
Iris arranged herself in her chair, positioning Owen so he could nurse before she looked back up at Daisy. ‘You do realize that this little guy exists because me and Archer weregetting it out of our systems, right?’ She gazed down at her baby as he ate, the flower crown still on her head. And with the golden light of the evening streaming in, they looked beautiful together. It was quite a change from the last time Iris was in here crying. Motherhood, what a ride.
‘How are you feeling, by the way?’
Iris raised her head again, a bemused smile on her face. ‘Don’t think you’re off the hook. We are circling back to you and Elliot. But…’ She ran a finger down the plump curve of Owen’s cheek. ‘I’m doing better. I think. Crying less, so that’s nice.’
‘You know I’m always here to help. And my mom would die to hold the baby for the afternoon.’
Iris smiled. ‘I know. Thank you.’
‘And Archer’s been…?’
‘Incredible. He jumps up at the littlest peep from the baby. Gets to him before I’m even half awake.’ She smiled as she said it. ‘And he makes sure I’m eating and Olive is feeling included, and it’s a lot. He’s basically holding us all together.’
‘That’s good.’ Daisy liked Archer, but he was new to the whole parenthood thing, too. So much had been thrown at him in such a short amount of time. It was good to hear they were working it out together.
‘Now,’ Iris said, pointing an accusing finger at Daisy. ‘Back to you. What is going on with Elliot?’
Daisy picked up a new wire ring and started on her next crown, trying to think of another change of topic but coming up with nothing.
She sighed. ‘I don’t know. He’s cute, you know? And we’re spending a lot of time together. And I think it’s just been too long since I’ve…’
‘Made love?’ Iris said with a grin.
‘Ew. Don’t ever say that again.’
Iris laughed and Owen snorted at the disruption to his meal.
‘Okay, so it’s been a while since you’ve beenintimatewith a man.’
‘I don’t love that, either, but yes, it’s been a long while and… I don’t know… That combined with being around an attractive guy all the time, it’s?—’
‘Making you super horny?’
Daisy thunked her head down on the table in defeat. ‘Yes. It’s making me super horny.’
‘Well, then it sounds like you should probably do it with your fake boyfriend.’
‘What are the odds it doesn’t end in disaster?’
‘Fifty-fifty, I’d say.’
Daisy lifted her head, and Iris was burping Owen, his small body curled in a ball on her chest. His little footy pajamas were covered in turtles which made Daisy smile.
‘And I’d recommend two forms of birth control, unless you really like staying up all night,’ Iris added.
‘Right.’ Owen was adorable and it had worked out for Iris and Archer, but a baby with Elliot was…
Something that made her feel dizzy to think about.
