“Really? Not a morning person then?”
“Actually, I am, mostly because of work. Just takes me a bit to wake up. I love staying up late and binge-watching TV or going out, but either way, I’ll always need my coffee.”
He chuckles when I release a loud moan with my first sip. “Duly noted. Keep you caffeinated.”
“And fed,” I add. “I tend to get hangry when I haven’t eaten.”
“Well, then I better get ready so we make it to Jerry’s on time.” He pierces me with his gaze after he catches me staring at his package again.
I blink and swallow down the hot liquid. “Oh, right. I gotta hop in the shower. Unless you wanna go first.”
“I can shower after you.”
I take another large gulp of coffee, hoping the warmth will calm the ache between my thighs. Once I’ve emptied my mug, I set it in the sink. “Or we could conserve water and take one together,” I sing-song over my shoulder.
Archer’s lips twitch as he tries to suppress a laugh, and I swear his cheeks redden just a little. “I’ll just wait till you’re done.”
“No fun,” I tsk.
After I finish, Archer makes us some eggs, and we watch the last half of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. By noon, we arrive with my Better than Sex cake in hand. I can tell he’s nervous, but I’m determined to make sure he’s comfortable and has a good time. As soon as we walk in, everyone bombards us.
“Hey!” Gemma wraps her arms around me as Tyler gives Archer a bro hug.
Tyler introduces him to those who haven’t met him yet. Jerry’s rocking Scarlett in his arms, and Gemma still has her new mama glow, which I love seeing on her.
“The babies are here!” I gush when I spot Noah and Katie. “Can I hold them?”
“Of course, take your pick,” Katie teases. She has one, and Belinda’s got the other.
“Not mine. We’re besties now,” Belinda states.
“You have to share,” Owen chimes in. He’s Katie’s eleven-year-old son. “That’s what Mom tells me anyway.”
We laugh at his eye roll. I adore how much he already loves being a big brother.
I take one of the boys from Katie and softly rub the pad of my finger over his soft cheek. “What’s his name?” Archer leans over and asks.
“Uh…Finn. Wait. Luke.” I squint, trying to figure out which one I have. “Well, I have a fifty-fifty chance of being right.”
“That’s Finn,” Katie corrects. “Luke has a little mole above his lip.”
“Ah, yes. I knew there was something like that.”
“He’s so tiny,” Archer says.
“They’re less than a week old,” I tell him. “Isn’t he precious?”
“When they’re sleeping,” Noah interjects. “Otherwise, one needs to be changed at the same time one wants the boob. Then they switch places.”
“That’s how newborns work, Daddy,” I tease him, then face Archer. “He’s a new father, can ya tell?”
“I basically raised my little sister, but I can’t say I’d ever be fully prepared for babies. Yours look pretty sweet, though.” Archer looks around, and his expression tightens. I can tell he didn’t mean to share that with everyone.
“Alright, kids. The turkey and fixin’s are ready. Find a seat,” Belinda announces, handing Luke over to Noah while Jerry gives Scarlett to Gemma.
“I can hold my niece while you eat,” I offer, handing Finn back to Katie so she can re-swaddle him.
“Oh no, I’ve mastered eating one-handed now.” Gemma waves me off.