The Strawberry Patch Pancake House

Two days after the kitchen incident, Archer finds himself distracted at work and ruins a pancake order. Cyrus notices and guesses that a woman is the cause. Jess, the server, informs Archer that Mayor Pete Kelly and his daughter, Hazel, want to see him. The mayor praises Archer’s new pancake specials and suggests that the diner could become a “pancake house.” When the mayor inquires about Iris as a nanny, Archer becomes flustered, reflecting on his growing desire to have Iris in his life.

Meanwhile, Iris struggles to focus while teaching her aquatic aerobics class, her thoughts drifting to Archer. Her senior students—Marrisa, Carol, Janet, and Estelle—notice her distraction and question her. Iris admits to having feelings for someone, implying that it’s Archer, and considers that sleeping with him might resolve her confusion. She acknowledges to her students that he’s “good with his hands” (232), confirming their suspicions about the nature of her distraction.

One week after the kitchen encounter, with Olive at a sleepover at her grandmother Paula’s house, Archer and Iris watch a movie together. The tension between them escalates as Archer initiates passionate kissing. Iris suggests that they have sex to release their tension, and after confirming that they’re negative for sexually transmitted infections and discussing contraception, they have quick, intense sex on the couch. Iris comments, “Next time we can go slow” (235), but Archer worries that it might have been a one-time event for her, realizing he wants more.

When Iris withdraws to clean up, inviting Archer to join her later, he decides to pursue her. In the hallway, Archer admits that their earlier encounter “wasn’t nearly enough” (240). Iris confirms that she wants a physical relationship but warns that she can’t promise more, fearing she might hurt him or Olive. Despite wanting more, Archer agrees to a relationship that’s “just physical.” He removes her towel and carries her to his room.

Archer lays Iris on his bed and praises her qualities, including being “dedicated,” which unexpectedly moves Iris to tears. He comforts her and gives her his T-shirt, and they get into bed together, spooning. They admit to mutual crushes on each other before Archer initiates slow, tender sex. Iris experiences a new depth of connection and pleasure. Afterward, though happy, Iris recalls why their relationship is a “bad idea” when she notices Archer’s tenderness.

They shower together before returning to bed. In the morning, Archer wakes Iris with oral sex, leading to mutual pleasure. They enjoy a domestic morning routine with omelets for breakfast. As they discuss their situation, they agree not to tell Olive about their relationship. Iris reiterates that it’s “just physical,” an “occasional booty call” (256), and Archer reluctantly agrees while hiding his deeper feelings for her.

Nearly a week after their night together, Iris avoids Archer, confused about their undefined relationship and her growing feelings while witnessing his tender parenting. Iris, Olive, and Bex have lunch at the diner. Olive makes demands about gardening, diving lessons, and watching The Chronicles of Narnia. Archer serves them named pancake specials, including the “Olive Special” and “Noah special,” and playfully puts whipped cream on Olive’s nose.

Bex confronts Iris about her relationship with Archer after Archer and Olive leave their table. Iris confesses that they slept together and admits her confusion, fearing hurting Olive and repeating her mother’s relationship patterns. Bex advises Iris to pursue the relationship. When Olive returns and puts whipped cream on Iris’s nose, deepening their bond, Iris realizes that she wants to be part of their life despite her fears and uncertainty.

In the evening after Olive’s bedtime, Archer video-calls his father and stepmother, confessing that he’s fallen in love with Iris. Cathi advises Archer to talk to Iris, while Jim expresses pride in Archer’s emotional growth. Their conversation is interrupted when Olive appears to show off her sloth pajamas, with Iris observing from the doorway. After Olive leaves, Iris apologizes to Archer for her recent distance, and they agree to go out that evening at nine o’clock.

Iris then calls her mother to ask about motherhood and love. Her mother shares that while she had fears when pregnant with Iris, she has no regrets, admitting that she loved many men but isn’t built for monogamy. After the call, Iris reflects on her upbringing, realizing that she knows how to be part of a family despite her fears. She recognizes that if she decides to commit to Archer and Olive, she has the foundation to do so.

At nine o’clock, Iris and Archer meet in the kitchen for what Iris calls a “maybe date.” Iris leads Archer to an ice cream shop where they order from Carter, an employee smitten with Iris. As they walk while eating their ice cream, Iris confesses her avoidance of long-term dating, and Archer admits to similar unfamiliarity with serious relationships. They agree to take things slow and keep their relationship discreet from Olive, with Iris raising concerns about their boss-employee dynamic.

They visit Iris’s favorite spot at the harbor overlook. Their conversation turns to Olive’s desire for a bunny, which Archer refuses, and Iris begins calling him “Arch,” a nickname that feels intimate. Archer kisses Iris, expressing how glad he is that he moved to Dream Harbor, and Iris reciprocates the sentiment. As they return home, Archer walks Iris to her room where they share a slow goodnight kiss, and she agrees to another date.

After enjoying a week of nightly outings together, Archer and Iris kiss passionately outside her bedroom. When Iris suggests that they sleep together again, Archer asks if she’ll revert to considering it “just physical.” Iris admits that she can’t, realizing she may love him. They enter her bedroom, where Iris discovers Archer’s olive-branch tattoo on his lower back. They discuss its origin and the coincidence with Olive’s name. Cate may have named her daughter after Archer’s tattoo.

As they continue talking, Archer expresses regret over missing Olive’s early years and teasingly mentions “the next one” (291), implying that he wants to have another child. He then confesses his love for Iris, detailing his journey to these feelings. Overwhelmed but receptive, Iris eventually reciprocates, telling him, “I love you, too […] I’m pretty sure” (293). They have slow, passionate sex before staying together until morning. Before Olive wakes, Archer sneaks back to his room, maintaining their secrecy despite their deepening emotional connection.