Page 103 of Comeback
“Right.” I feel like an idiot for not considering that sooner. Archer wasn’t adopted, but he knows what it’s like to welcome someone into his family that isn’t related by blood.
I bring my free hand up to cup his cheek. He hasn’t shaved for a day or two and his stubble is rough under my palm. “You’re kind of perfect too.”
His big, cocky grin returns. “Obviously.”
His mouth crashes down over mine, but before I can fully devour him, Greer comes running back out.
“All done!” she proclaims and weasels her way between us, sitting so she’s half on my lap and half on Archer’s lap. She has two of her very favorite princess books on her lap. Okay, technically they’re my favorites. She has special books she reads with her mom and ones she saves to read with me. She has two dancing cat books that she only ever wants me to read her.
“Can Archer read to me tonight?” she asks me. I try not to feel betrayed. I guess I’m not the only one that thinks he’s perfect.
“You’ll have to ask him.”
Greer and I glance over at Archer together.
“Will you read us a bedtime story?”I ask and sign in case he didn’t catch her question the first time.
His mouth opens and a flash of panic crosses his face for just a moment before he recovers. He smiles at Greer. “Only if you promise to help me sound out the really big words.”
She giggles. “I can’t read yet.”
“Oh no,” he whines, really selling it. “Well, I guess maybe Sabrina can help.”
“She’s a really good reader.” Greer nods enthusiastically and Archer meets my gaze over her head.
Pride swells in my chest. Greer’s opinion is top tier in my book.
“Well, challenge accepted.” Archer holds out his hand and Greer places the book in it.
Thirty minutes later, Archer has read my favorite books, plus six others. I’m as captivated as Greer. She’s fighting sleep to keep listening to him. Her eyes are barely open, but every time hestops talking, they fly open. She’s also fully placed herself on his lap now.
He looks pretty great with a little kid half-asleep in his arms.
I stand and motion for him to do the same. He stops reading and I quickly sign,Keep reading!
He does, somehow managing to balance the book and Greer while getting to his feet. I lead him to her room. I turn on her side lamp and pull back the covers, then turn to take a now fully asleep kid from him.
“You look real good right now,” I tell him.
He winks and I take her carefully from his arms. She wraps her arms around my neck. “Night, Aunt Brina.”
My heart squeezes. “Night, munchkin.”
I kiss her forehead and place her down on her bed and pull the blanket up. Then Archer and I creep out of her room quietly, and I close the door most of the way, leaving it open just a crack.
I rest my back against the wall. It always feels like a major accomplishment getting her to bed. Archer blows out a breath and runs a hand through his hair, forgetting the tiara and sending it askew. He takes it off and holds it in his fingers.
“How many books does that kid own?”
“Many, many more. Sometimes we have to read her favorites twice.”
He brings a hand up to his throat and lifts his chin. “I think I was one story away from losing my voice.”
“Oh, you poor thing.” I step closer and drape my arms around his shoulders.
Archer wears a satisfied smirk as I bring my lips to his.
“What can I do to help?” I murmur the question as he curls an arm around my waist.
