Page 41 of Whisper Sweet Nothings
She gaped at me. “That’s terrible advice. We want them to get together.”
“I don’t think they should be together.” I leaned closer, scooping another bite out of the container.
“Why?”
“Because I would assume that his best friend knows him better than anyone. He doesn’t think he’s good enough for her, so he probably isn’t.”
“His best friend is being ridiculous. Barbaric and controlling. He’s a total hypocrite,” she said, in the most defensive voice.
“Fine. Put them together. People love a happy ending.”
She gave me a look. “Archie. That could be taken two different ways.”
I laughed. Like I said, she was funny and witty.
And maybe I had a happy ending on my mind.
“You know what I mean.”
“Do I?” she teased, reaching up to tighten her ponytail, and I noticed the ribbon tied around the elastic. Did she sleep in them, too?
“What’s the deal with the ribbons? I notice you wear them every day.”
“That’s very observant of you.” She smiled. “It’s kind of my thing.”
“Meaning?”
She pointed to my chest, where my daughter’s name was inked over my heart.
“My father has my name tattooed over his heart. And when I was young, after my mom left, I guess I had a hard time for a while. I barely remember it.” She shrugged. “Apparently, I didn’t want to get out of bed because I was blue, and he told me that whenever he felt sad about something, he’d look at my name on his chest, and it became like his own little superpower. He told me that I had to find something to use as my superpower. To remember how strong I was when I wasn’t feeling strong.”
I’d moved closer to her without even realizing it.
Wanting to comfort her.
Wanting to touch her.
“I could see how he would find his strength in you. I’ve experienced that with Melody. Times where I struggle and question if I’m failing at this whole dad thing—and all I have to do is look at her and know I’m doing all right. She’s my motivation. I guess she’s my superpower, too.”
Her lips turned up in the corners. “Yes. It shows.”
“So how did you decide on a bow?”
“My dad had bought me a bunch of bows to try to cheer me up. If you knew this man, you would know that he is not the kind of guy to go to the store and shop for hair bows.” She chuckled, and her eyes were wet with emotion. “And he ended up buying me one in every color of the rainbow. So I guess in a way, these represent him. The fact that he stayed and he was there every step of the way. I put one of the bows in my hair that day, and I swear I felt like I suddenly had a superpower. And from that day on, I wore a bow in my hair every day, just to remind myself that I’m not alone. That I can do anything I set my mind to.”
Fuck me.
This girl never stopped impressing me.
And now I moved even closer, stepping between her legs that hung a few inches apart. I reached up and touched the back of her head. “It’s your superpower. I should just start calling you Winnie Woman instead of Wonder Woman.”
She chuckled as her gaze locked with mine.
“It’s a lengthy nickname, Archie,” she whispered, and her cheeks turned a soft shade of pink.
My hand moved to the side of her face, my thumb gliding along her bottom lip.
Had I ever wanted to kiss a woman more than I did right now in this moment?
