running a finger down the side of Archer’s face.
I smile at him, nodding my head. An awkward silence erupts and we remain immobile, staring at each other. I guess both of us have so many things to say and ask, and neither one knows where to start. So before I end up blabbering some non-sense, I nod my head at him.
“Well, I’ll go then.”
I turn around and walk into the bathroom, closing the door and leaning against it. I wait a few minutes and only exhale slowly after I hear my bedroom door click shut.
Chapter 12
Daddy Duties
The next morning, I feel a bit like a headless chicken, knowing I’ll be leaving Archer alone with Ben. I feed Archer, but he seems to be picking up on my anxiety and is as fussy as they come, which results in me having to change into a new set of clothes. Just when I’m done, there is a knock on my door and Ben asks if he can come in.
“Uh huh,” I call out, while hurriedly attempting to get my hair under control. I’m not even sure why I keep on trying. I should accept that my hair does what it wants.
He comes in and I can see his reaction in the reflection of the mirror I’m standing in front of. For a second, he seems to take me in from head to toe, making my body heat up in the process. Damn him. Now I feel even more flustered than before, if that’s even possible.
I’m wearing one of my favorite knee-length slim dresses. It’s grey and has a bit of a Marilyn Monroe kind of vibe. Paired with knee-high flat boots and a black blazer, I’m ready for a day at school and work, which are more or less the same thing for me.
Majoring in psychology with a minor in social work, I work three afternoons a week in the counseling center founded by one of my professors. It provides access to mental health care for everyone in need of it—especially low-income people that couldn’t afford it otherwise.
Being a student, I obviously don’t get to do a lot of the heavy lifting, having to pass the difficult cases on to the graduate students that work there. But I get experience helping with the “easy” stuff that more often than not can be just as difficult and scary for the people that are confronted with it. Or I’m on hotline duty, which can be even more challenging since I don’t get to see the person I’m talking to. I can’t read their body language or facial expressions, or gauge their emotional state based on their behavior.
Ben clears his throat, before muttering a raspy “Morning. You’re looking good.”
Thankfully my back is turned to him and from where he stands he can’t see me blush. I hate that I react this easily to him. I thought I had buried my feelings along with the hope of him ever being in Archer’s life. But I guess with his reappearance, the hope dug its way back to the surface, dragging those damn feelings along with it.
“Thanks. You’re ready for your daddy duty today?” I cock my eyebrows at him, knowing full well we’re both nervous as hell.
“I guess as ready as I’ll ever be,” he pauses, furrowing his eyebrows before he says with a sheepish grin, “but you better leave your phone on though. Just in case.”
I chuckle and am relieved that he isn’t cocky and nonchalant about it. He seems to realize the responsibility that he will bear being alone with Archer. The insecurity is much more preferable over too much arrogance. That way, I feel certain that he will call me, or Mrs. Walsh, if he’s unsure about something.
“No problem. I’ll do that. You also have the center’s number you can reach me at as well. If you’re unsure, just call me, or ask Mrs. Walsh.”
He still seems a bit overwhelmed, and although I’m nervous about how the day will go, I decide to make it a bit easier on him.
“Don’t worry so much. It’s something that comes naturally. Just try and listen to what Archer is trying to tell you. He’ll let you know when he needs, or wants, something. As long as you act like a
I smile at him, nodding my head. An awkward silence erupts and we remain immobile, staring at each other. I guess both of us have so many things to say and ask, and neither one knows where to start. So before I end up blabbering some non-sense, I nod my head at him.
“Well, I’ll go then.”
I turn around and walk into the bathroom, closing the door and leaning against it. I wait a few minutes and only exhale slowly after I hear my bedroom door click shut.
Chapter 12
Daddy Duties
The next morning, I feel a bit like a headless chicken, knowing I’ll be leaving Archer alone with Ben. I feed Archer, but he seems to be picking up on my anxiety and is as fussy as they come, which results in me having to change into a new set of clothes. Just when I’m done, there is a knock on my door and Ben asks if he can come in.
“Uh huh,” I call out, while hurriedly attempting to get my hair under control. I’m not even sure why I keep on trying. I should accept that my hair does what it wants.
He comes in and I can see his reaction in the reflection of the mirror I’m standing in front of. For a second, he seems to take me in from head to toe, making my body heat up in the process. Damn him. Now I feel even more flustered than before, if that’s even possible.
I’m wearing one of my favorite knee-length slim dresses. It’s grey and has a bit of a Marilyn Monroe kind of vibe. Paired with knee-high flat boots and a black blazer, I’m ready for a day at school and work, which are more or less the same thing for me.
Majoring in psychology with a minor in social work, I work three afternoons a week in the counseling center founded by one of my professors. It provides access to mental health care for everyone in need of it—especially low-income people that couldn’t afford it otherwise.
Being a student, I obviously don’t get to do a lot of the heavy lifting, having to pass the difficult cases on to the graduate students that work there. But I get experience helping with the “easy” stuff that more often than not can be just as difficult and scary for the people that are confronted with it. Or I’m on hotline duty, which can be even more challenging since I don’t get to see the person I’m talking to. I can’t read their body language or facial expressions, or gauge their emotional state based on their behavior.
Ben clears his throat, before muttering a raspy “Morning. You’re looking good.”
Thankfully my back is turned to him and from where he stands he can’t see me blush. I hate that I react this easily to him. I thought I had buried my feelings along with the hope of him ever being in Archer’s life. But I guess with his reappearance, the hope dug its way back to the surface, dragging those damn feelings along with it.
“Thanks. You’re ready for your daddy duty today?” I cock my eyebrows at him, knowing full well we’re both nervous as hell.
“I guess as ready as I’ll ever be,” he pauses, furrowing his eyebrows before he says with a sheepish grin, “but you better leave your phone on though. Just in case.”
I chuckle and am relieved that he isn’t cocky and nonchalant about it. He seems to realize the responsibility that he will bear being alone with Archer. The insecurity is much more preferable over too much arrogance. That way, I feel certain that he will call me, or Mrs. Walsh, if he’s unsure about something.
“No problem. I’ll do that. You also have the center’s number you can reach me at as well. If you’re unsure, just call me, or ask Mrs. Walsh.”
He still seems a bit overwhelmed, and although I’m nervous about how the day will go, I decide to make it a bit easier on him.
“Don’t worry so much. It’s something that comes naturally. Just try and listen to what Archer is trying to tell you. He’ll let you know when he needs, or wants, something. As long as you act like a
Similar Books
