Page 139 of Whisper Sweet Nothings
I didn’t hesitate. “She’s more than fucking worth it. I’m madly in love with her.”
She smiled. “Okay. You’ve told me how you feel, how about you tell her how you feel.”
I nodded. “I can do that.”
“It’s the first step to putting your past behind you and moving forward toward the future that you want.”
She was right.
It was time.
thirty-six
. . .
Winnie
I’d landedin New York this morning, and I was doing this last stretch on my own, as Laney needed to get back to work. I was fine on my own now. And I’d met a different author at each stop, which had been a real highlight of this tour. I’d met so many authors whom I myself was a huge fan of.
It was surreal in so many ways.
I’d just sat on a stage at one of the most iconic bookstores in New York City with Claire Chestnut, a well-known contemporary romance author. We’d had a great conversation, and I’d gotten more comfortable speaking in public over the last two and a half weeks.
We settled at one large table beside one another as we signed books for all the readers who’d attended the event. It was so nice chatting and hearing how they’d discovered our books, or how they’d related to them in some way. I think as an author, that’s the best compliment, when a reader connects to your words.
I signed and took photos and talked for a few hours, then hugged Claire goodbye. The bookstore would be closing soon, so I tossed my markers in my green suede tote bag and pulled up my Uber app.
Of course, I checked my texts to see if I had any messages from Archer.
He hadn’t been calling as much, but he always sent texts before every event each day.
Archie
Good luck today, beautiful. Just be yourself. I miss you.
That was the first time he’d said that he missed me in over a week. My chest squeezed at his words, because I missed him so much.
Just as I was getting ready to type a response, a deep voice startled me.
“Hey, Win,” the familiar voice said.
I looked up, surprised to see my ex-husband Jaden standing in front of me.
“Jaden. What are you doing here?” I asked, not hiding the surprise in my voice.
He chuckled, and I could smell the booze on his breath. “I’m in town for Johnny West’s bachelor party, and I was scrolling on social media and saw that you were here for a book signing. I tried to make it over for the event, but we were out, so I just snuck away to see if I could catch you.”
It was completely par for the course for Jaden to show up to something after it was over. Especially an event that was for me.
Our relationship had been me picking him up over and over again, yet he never showed up for me.
Jaden had held on tight just to keep me stagnant and in place.
Archer wanted me to chase my dreams, but I wanted him to hold on tighter.
“Well, thanks for stopping by.” I chuckled, because I was just getting ready to leave.
“Listen, Win, I’m impressed. I guess I owe you an apology for doubting that people would actually want to read your books.”
