Page 68 of Whisper Sweet Nothings
“Not my place to tell you who to date. I apologize for putting my nose where it doesn’t belong,” he said, but his smile looked forced.
He was clearly done with all the flirty banter.
It stung, but I schooled my features to appear unaffected.
I’d just gotten out of the worst relationship one could have, and I was supposed to be enjoying being single.
This should not hurt my feelings.
“No worries. I’m going to go get ready. Happy New Year.” I turned quickly and made my way to my room.
I’d picked up a fun dress to wear tonight with the gift card my aunt and uncle had gotten me for Christmas.
I spent the next hour shaking off the sullen feeling that had engulfed me after Archer had basically insisted that I go to this party and find a man.
I get it. You don’t like me that way.
Maybe it was the fact that I’d literally humped the man like a horny teenager at the height of her sexuality.
He’d probably been horrified.
I picked up my phone and pulled up my playlist. I quickly found my favorite T-Swift song and was soon singing along with “Shake It Off” while I put on my makeup.
I went for a smoky eye and a red lip, which I never did. I curled my hair and left it down tonight. I wore my gold bow earrings that my father had gotten me for my college graduation.
After slipping into my new formfitting black sequined dress and adding my black strappy stilettos, I glanced in the mirror.
I hadn’t dressed up in such a long time.
I felt good.
I pushed away the nerves fluttering in my stomach, as I wouldn’t know a lot of the people who would be there tonight, but I was determined to have a good time.
I’d made good progress on my book this week, and the new office had proven to be the dreamiest workspace. I’d effectively blocked Jaden, who seemed like he might actually leave me alone this time.
I made my way through the door to the house to get my dress coat out of the front closet. I stored some things in the house, since the closet in my room was fairly small. But yes, a part of me probably wanted Archer to see me in this dress.
I’d bought it thinking he’d be at this party tonight.
Hell, I’d bought it with him in mind.
My heels tapped against his wood floors, and I saw his head turn to look at me out of my peripheral vision.
I made it to the closet and pulled out my black dress coat, and Melody let a loud gasp escape.
“My Winnie looks like a real live princess,” she shouted across the room as I slipped my coat on.
“Thank you, sweet pea.”
Archer was on his feet, moving toward me. “It’s snowing out there. Are you driving?”
Bridger and Emilia lived less than two blocks away.
“No, because I’m sure I’ll have a few cocktails tonight. So I’m going to walk.”
“You can’t walk in this weather.” He gaped at me, and then his eyes scanned the length of my body down to my four-inch heels. “You’re walking in those shoes?”
“Well, I hadn’t thought about the shoes. I guess I’ll wear my boots and carry my heels in a bag.” I chuckled as I leaned down to unstrap my shoes.
