Page 132 of Whisper Sweet Nothings
“Stop it right now! You know Cutler Heart, a.k.a. Beefcake?”
She laughed as Daisy’s and Laney’s eyes moved between the two of us.
“My cousin is Cage Reynolds, also known as the father of the infamous Gracie Reynolds.”
“You’re Gracie Reynolds’s aunt? Beefcake’s girl! How did I not know this?”
“I guess we’re like the Kevin Bacon of small towns. I live in Honey Mountain, and my cousin Brinkley is married to Lincoln Hendrix, and they live in Cottonwood Cove. Lincoln found out that he had a half brother later in life, and his name is Romeo Knight, and he lives with Cutler in Magnolia Falls.”
“Yes. Lincoln is the superstar football player, and I know Romeo. He’s the famous boxer, and one of Cutler’s uncles.”
“Correct. So that’s how Gracie and Cutler met, and then we met everyone over time as well. And now Cutler’s dad married Emerson Chadwick, of the Rosewood River Chadwicks,” she said with a laugh. “And here we are.”
“What a small freaking world it is,” I said.
“I think in the book world they’d call this an interconnected series.” Laney laughed. “All of these families appear to have one thing in common, this kid with a very interesting nickname. What is it? Coolcakes?”
Now it was our turn to laugh.
“His name is Cutler, but he goes by ‘Beefcake.’ He’s probably the coolest kid I’ve ever met,” I said.
“Totally agree,” Ashlan said. “That boy has more swagger in his pinky finger than most grown men. And he and Gracie are so adorable together. Best buddies, although he has grand plans of marrying her someday.”
“He told me all about it. And he is one determined guy.” I chuckled, just as Daisy said something to Laney, and they both glanced down at her phone and started talking release day numbers.
The waiter set down our entrées, and I groaned when I took the first bite. It had been a long day, and I was definitely ready for a good meal.
Ashlan glanced at the two women across the table from us, who were clearly talking business, and she leaned forward. “Sohow are you feeling? This is your first tour, and it’s probably a bit overwhelming.”
“Yes. It’s day one and I’m so excited, but I was nervous about being gone for so long.” I filled her in on how I’d moved to Rosewood River, and I told her all about Archer and Melody.
She couldn’t get over the similarities. She’d also been a nanny when she’d first started writing. But she’d known her now husband most of her life, as he was a family friend. She understood all the dynamics going on in my life right now, and it was so nice to have someone to talk to about everything.
“I just want to say this to you, because I know where you are and how mixed the feelings are. It’s obvious that you’re really happy and you’ve met someone you’re crazy about, and that’s a good thing, Winnie. And your career taking off is also a good thing. As a woman, I think we tend to feel so much pressure to be everything for everyone. And the truth is, it’s not possible. But you can come damn close with a little balance.” She chuckled. “That’s the key. You’ve got to find balance. Balance in your life and your career. And it’s different for everyone, but I can promise you, I’m a mama of three, and I love my babies like crazy. Jace, my husband—he’s my biggest supporter, my inspiration, and my safe place, you know?”
“I love that,” I said. I could see how much she adored her family, since it was written all over her face.
“Me too.” She glanced at Laney and Daisy before leaning closer and keeping her voice low. “And my career, well that’s something just for me. Well, just for me and my readers. But it’s something that I love and enjoy, and I had to learn that I can’t say yes to everything, but I can say yes to plenty, if that makes sense.”
“That makes sense.” I sighed. “It’s just been a really weird day, so I’m sure I’ll feel more settled tomorrow.”
She was so easy to talk to that I ended up telling her everything that had happened at the airport.
“Well, we don’t know for sure that he even heard you, and it’s not like you really said it.” She chuckled and squeezed my hand. “You picked a tough time to drop the L-word, and then you sort of turned it into a high school girl’s bestie love ya mantra.”
“It still means the same thing. I’m sure he heard me.” I exhaled. Who was I trying to convince, me or him?
“Listen, Winnie, take it from someone who’s been there. It’s complicated when children are involved. And you’re on this whirlwind adventure, and he’s not. At the end of the day, it’s not so much saying it, it’s living it. And from what you’ve told me, that man has been loving you for months. You tossed him a ‘love ya’ that we don’t even know for certain he heard, so I wouldn’t let that get in your head. Focus on his actions for now, because you aren’t there to talk to him.”
“That’s a good point. And his actions say it. I mean, I feel it every day from him.” I reached for my wine glass and took a sip.
Her gaze softened. “It’s a lot to navigate for a partner when your career takes off the way that yours is right now. So a little part of him is probably nervous that you’ll leave and never look back.”
“I would never do that. I miss them like crazy, and I’ve only been gone for one day.”
“I know you do. But you’ve got to love him enough to trust that everything will be okay.”
“Thank you. I know you’re right. And my timing was terrible,” I said as we both laughed.
