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“I can agree with that. Would return for the exceptional service alone.” Archer mocks, settling back onto the blanket, so I can lean into him.

“So, are you two…boyfriend and girlfriend?” Owen blurts, and I nearly forgot he was within hearing range. Oops.

I meet Archer’s eyes and smile. “Yep. We are.”

Owen beams as I take a sip of the beer Noah brought. “Are you gonna get married?”

“Maybe one day,” Archer answers truthfully. “Just depends.”

“On what?” Owen asks.

“You’re treatin’ them like they're on trial, son,” Katie interrupts with a laugh, and I can tell Owen still had more questions.

He shrugs. “Dad, can I go play with my friends?”

“Sure, but stay where your mom and I can see you,” Noah reminds him.

Seconds later, Owen runs off and meets a group of kids his age.

“Is that his girlfriend?” Gemma asks, squinting her eyes, and I laugh when I see Owen hugging a girl.

“Yeah, that’s Amelia.” Katie sighs.

“He’s gonna be driving soon, ya know,” I remind them both.

She groans. “I know. Lord help us all.”

After the first band finishes their set, another one comes on stage and plays more modern songs.

“Do any of you want an ice cream cone?” I ask when Archer and I decide to get some, but they all shake their heads.

We take the opportunity to walk around and see how they transformed the city square for the festival. There are mini American flags waving in the ground along the parade route. Several booths have summer-themed jewelry and wreaths. I interlock my fingers with Archer’s and love being open about our relationship. It’s still surreal to me even after all this time.

We browse around for an hour, then find the ice cream stand that’s selling butterscotch hand-dipped cones. It’s so hot outside that by the time we get them, we have to hurry and eat them before they melt.

Once we’re done walking around, we go back to our friends and wait for the big fireworks display. The sun won’t set for a few more hours.

I’m so relaxed on the blanket, I could fall asleep. But as soon as the band starts a slow song, Archer asks me to dance. People and blankets are spread around, but I don’t care and stand with him. He wraps his arms around me, then tucks his hands in my back pockets, firmly gripping my ass.

“This is perfect,” Archer whispers in my ear. “I love being with you like this.”

“I do too.”

Later on, Jerry and Belinda walk over with Scarlett, who shows off the cutest little T-shirt that reads My Daddy Fought for My Freedom.

“Oh my gosh. That tee is adorable.”

Tyler beams as he pulls her into his arms. “My sweet girl. Did you have fun?”

Scarlett sucks her fist, drooling all down her arm. I take that as a yes.

The sun finally sets, and there’s not an empty patch of grass as everyone anticipates the show. Glittery fireworks fill the sky, and I can’t help but look at Archer. I inhale his scent, and he meets my eyes before brushing his lips against mine.

It goes on for at least thirty minutes, and I soak up this moment with him and our friends. At the beginning of this year, I wished we could be together, and now, here we are. We’ve already been through a lot of struggles, but with Archer by my side, we’ve gotten through it.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

ARCHER