Page 48 of Whisper Sweet Nothings
“We did it, Winnie!” she said.
“Youdid it, sweet pea,” I heard her say to my daughter.
“Daddy, why are you all the way down there?” Melody asked as she ran toward me and jumped into my arms.
“It was a good seat to take pictures,” I said, earning an odd look from my dad, who was only a few seats down from me.
Clearly this was a terrible seat for pictures. The fifteen-foot-tall Christmas tree sitting beside the stage was blocking my view and made for very awkward photos.
The truth was, I was a man who couldn’t stop fantasizing about his nanny, and I needed to stay the hell away from her.
Desperate times call for desperate measures.
“You guys want to grab a beer tonight?” Easton asked as he walked over to me.
“I’ve actually got a date. I’m taking Samantha Moth to dinner.” I cleared my throat, waiting for them to give me shit.
Bridger chuckled, in that sarcastic judgmental way he often did. “Got it. Now I know that I’m on to something.”
I ignored him and made my way over to my mother, pulling her in for a hug.
“Wasn’t that just amazing?” she gushed as she lifted Melody up and settled her on her hip. “My little granddaughter is such a superstar.”
My gaze moved to Winnie’s, and she quickly looked away from me.
She was clearly uncomfortable around me now.
I’d obviously freaked her out.
She seemed thrilled about staying home with Melody tonight and had encouraged me to go have some fun.
Her words, not mine.
I’d told her that what almost happened was a mistake, and she’d agreed.
I just needed to stay clear for a little bit until I could shake off this attraction.
She’d be going home for a few days, and the distance would be good for us.
Hell, it would be great for us.
That was exactly what I needed.
Distance from Winnie Smith.
I’d managed to keep my distance from Winnie for the rest of the day. I took Melody shopping for a few last-minute Christmas gifts that I needed for my family, and Winnie went home to write for a while.
I’d left the house while she and Melody were eating dinner, which was torture because they were laughing and having a great time. Winnie had made spaghetti and meatballs that smelled fucking fantastic.
I didn’t want to leave them.
But the thought terrified me enough to get my ass out the door.
And now I was currently sitting across the table from Samantha Moth. A woman I’d gone out with a few times.
Scratch that.
A woman I’d hooked up with a few times over the years.
