Page 73 of Whisper Sweet Nothings
“I’m great.” She sighed, and her cheeks were flushed. “Maybe a little queasy.”
“Yeah? You want me to take you home?” I asked.
“That would be great. I just need to say good night to everyone.” She moved around the room, swaying a bit as she did, and it took all I had not to step in and carry her out of here. But she was busy hugging everyone goodbye, and I didn’t miss the way every single dude in the room was watching her.
“We missed you.” Rafe clapped me on the shoulder.
“Yeah, I just chilled tonight.”
“And where the hell have you been?” Bridger asked Rafe, a suspicious look on his face.
“I was in your bathroom, you know, the one off your bedroom, having a moment with your toilet. Those chicken wings had a kick to them.”
“You fucker. There are three guest bathrooms. Why the fuck did you use our private bathroom?”
“The fancy toilet, you shitburger.”
I chuckled, but my eyes never left Winnie, who made her way back to me with her coat in hand. “I’m ready if you are.”
“Sounds good.” I said goodbye to the few people I passed on my way out of the house, as the party was still going strong, and I paused to help her into her coat. “It’s cold as hell out there.”
“You do know I’m from Chicago, right? I could have easily walked home.” Her words were slurring more than ever now. I buttoned the top button on her coat, and she reached in herpocket for her pink beanie and pulled it over her head. Damn, she was cute.
“I think the walk to my truck is going to be challenging enough,” I said with a laugh as I offered her my elbow.
“I’m fine. You’re being ridiculous,” she said as she walked right out the door in her high heels, then spun to look at me, all while completely losing her balance.
For fuck’s sake.
I lunged forward, trying to break her fall as she took us both down into the pile of snow beside the walkway.
She was on her back, and my hands sank into the snow as I tried to keep my weight from falling on top of her.
“Hey, Archie,” she said, a goofy smile on her face.
“Hey. Are you all right?”
“Never better.” She sighed as I stood, and I reached for her hand. Once I’d pulled her upright, she started to slide again, and I’d had enough. I scooped one hand beneath her knees and lifted her off the ground, cradling her like a baby.
“How about you let me get you to the truck in one piece.”
“Wow. I’m getting the royal treatment. You’re such a gentleman,” she said as her cheek rested against my chest.
I opened the passenger door and set her on the seat before pulling the seat belt across her body and snapping it in.
I jogged around the truck and moved inside before turning on the engine and cranking the heat.
“You doing okay?” I asked.
“Yeah. I had a lot of fun,” she said. “Thanks for picking me up. You really didn’t need to come out in the cold to get me, though. I could have gotten a ride.”
“I didn’t mind at all.” It was the truth.
“You’re a confusing man, Archer Chadwick.”
“Am I?”
“Yes. You really are,” she said, and it was clear she was drunk.
