Page 102 of Whisper Sweet Nothings
“I think you probably already know that it’s not going nowhere, or you wouldn’t be taking this risk.” My mother put herhand on my shoulder. “You can be a fabulous dad and have a life of your own, Archer.”
Until recently, I’d never understood why my family pushed this narrative that I didn’t have a life of my own. Being around Winnie made me want things that I didn’t think I wanted.
A relationship. A connection. A partner.
Maybe I’d been guarded because of the way things had ended with Scarlet.
I hadn’t realized it before now. I’d thought this was just my new normal, but in hindsight, I’d closed myself off to any sort of connection with women. I’d kept things very surface level.
Light conversation. Good sex. No strings.
And now, that wasn’t enough.
Not with Winnie.
She was different.
But it still didn’t need to get complicated. We were just going to see where things went.
“I know. And thank you. I appreciate it.” I kissed her cheek. “Love you. Call me if you need anything.”
“We won’t need anything. Go have a good time,” she said as I held my hand over my head and waved as I walked out the door.
I was back home in no time. Winnie was standing in the kitchen, and I came to a stop. She wore a black off-the-shoulder sweater and dark jeans, paired with a pair of black heeled boots.
Her hair was pulled back in a knot at the nape of her neck with a black silky ribbon tied around it.
I had thoughts about what I wanted to do with that ribbon later.
She glanced over her shoulder and smiled. “Hey, you’re back.”
“Yeah.” I shoved my hands in my pockets. “And you look—stunning.”
A wide smile spread across her face as her eyes scanned me from head to toe.
“Thank you. You look great, too.”
I reached for her coat that was lying on the chair and held it up for her. “Come on, let’s go grab dinner. If we stay here any longer, I’m going to peel those jeans off of you and bury my face between your thighs.”
“Ahh… bringing the dirty talk tonight?”
I chuckled as we stepped outside, and I helped her into the truck. I drove us to Rosewood’s, which was the best steakhouse in town.
We were taken to a private area in the back, as I’d requested.
Winnie ordered a glass of wine, and I stuck with soda water, as I wanted a clear head tonight. We made small talk about our days before placing our orders. She told me about the book tour her publisher was planning, and she appeared nervous about telling me.
“Of course we’ll manage,” I told her. “Mom will be delighted to cover for a few days. This is huge. I’m happy for you. Don’t worry about things here at all.”
She blew out a breath. “I just don’t want you to think I’m shirking on my responsibilities.”
“Winnie, your career is taking off. This is a good thing. I’m happy for you.”
It was also a good reminder not to get ahead of ourselves. Winnie’s future was unknown at this point. Things were happening for her, and I was happy for her.
But I could be happy and cautious at the same time.
“Yeah. I’m excited. Thanks for understanding,” she said.
