I sucked in a sharp breath and licked my lips as I tore my gaze from his. Gavin glanced up at me, and I gave him a tiny encouraging nod.
He shoved his hand out. “Pops says that our actions are what matter the most in this world. So if you’re trying to make things better, then I can forgive you.”
A tear slid down my cheek, and I wiped my palm over it before anyone noticed.
Archer’s throat moved in a slow swallow, and his big fingers completely dwarfed my son’s as they shook hands. “He sounds like a smart man.”
Gavin smiled. “The smartest.”
Archer’s shoulder brushed my arm as he straightened to his full height.
I cleared my throat. “I have to get back to the shelter. Analise, there’s plenty of food in there, and Gavin can show you where everything is.” I snapped my fingers. “Oh, and the dishwasher isn’t functioning right now, so any dishes have to be hand-washed. Don’t load anything in there.”
Her cheeks were still red as she nodded, her eyes darting over to her brother briefly. “Great. Any food allergies I need to worry about?”
“He’s good, but thank you for asking.” I squeezed Gavin’s shoulder. “Finish your homework before video games, okay? And you need to shower tonight.”
“Mom,” he groaned. “Do I have to?”
“Yes. I’m not gonna send a stinky boy to school tomorrow. Shower by eight, please. I want you in pajamas when I get home around eight thirty.”
“We can manage that.” Analise smiled at him, then me. “We’ll have a great time.”
Gavin chewed on his bottom lip before looking back up at Archer. “Are you coming back too?”
He nodded. “I’ll pick her up after your mom gets home.” Our eyes met briefly, and my stomach twisted as I thought about Archer walking back up to my house as the sun faded. “You said eight thirty?”
I managed a quick nod. “Maybe nine, if the dogs aren’t cooperating.”
Gavin inhaled through his nose, visibly shoring up all his courage. “Maybe I ... maybe I could show you my room later when you pick her up. I’ve got lots of Buffalo stuff.”
Archer gave him a small smile, just the slightest curl to the edges of his lips. “I’d like that.”
“Okay,” Gavin breathed. His cheekbones were washed in pink, and the excitement in his eyes was almost my undoing.
Standing in the driveway bawling over my kid was not on the to-do list, though, so I cleared my throat and tilted my head toward the car. “I need to go.”
Gavin wrapped his arms around me in a tight squeeze, and I kissed the top of his head.
“Be good. Love you, buddy.”
“Love you more,” he said, voice muffled against my stomach.
“Impossible.”
He grinned as he pulled away, then ran into the house with Analise trailing behind.
She paused with her hand on the door. “I approve of whatever’s happening here, brother.”
“Fucking hell,” Archer muttered under his breath.
I slid my hands over my cheeks and laughed. “She’s sweet.”
He wouldn’t look at me. “She’s a menace.”
“But you love her.”
That made him pause, his eyes finally coming to rest on mine. “More than anything. Don’t tell her that, though. It’ll go to her head.”