Page 84 of Whisper Sweet Nothings
Archer set three glasses down with a pitcher of fresh orange juice.
There was a drawing on the table and a card with my name on it.
“What’s this?” I asked as we all took our seats.
“You’re finishing your book today, right?”
“Yes. Hopefully I can wrap it up today.”
“You’ve got this. You’ve got five thousand words left, and you get to write your two favorite words after that.” He winked.
My chest squeezed at his words. This man listened to me.
He really listened.
He cheered me on and encouraged me, which meant more than I could ever put into words.
“What are your two favorite words?” Melody asked as she cinched her brows together and looked at me.
“‘The end.’” I chuckled. “They are the best words, because it means you finished another book.”
“I want to write books like Winnie someday,” Melody said.
“I think she’s a good person to look up to. And if you work hard, you can do it, too. Because we see how hard Winnie works, right?”
This man had a way of stealing my breath.
He validated my career, took note of the work that went into it, and celebrated my milestones.
“Winnie’s the hardest worker,” she said over a mouthful of pancakes, and I chuckled. “Do you want to have babies, Winnie?”
My eyes widened.
I’d quickly learned that kids just said whatever came to mind. They didn’t overthink. If they had a question, they asked it.
But this one had come out of left field.
“Hmmmm… I don’t actually know.” I shrugged, because it was the truth at the moment. “I’ve always wanted a big family. But things haven’t worked out for me so far, so I’m not sure it will happen. But yes, I would like to be a mother.”
Jaden and I had plans to have a baby after I graduated from college, but then he couldn’t find a job, or at least not a job that he felt was up to his standards.
His words, not mine.
We were dependent on my income, so we postponed those plans.
And I was grateful that it hadn’t worked out, because being tied to that man for the rest of my life would have been horrible. Not to mention the fact that he was far too selfish to be a parent.
“I wish I could be a baby again and you could be my mama,” Melody said, and I noted the way Archer’s hand froze with the strip of bacon between his fingers.
My chest tightened at her words.
“I’m glad I met you now,” I said, clearing my throat. The lump forming there was so thick it made it difficult to speak. “It wouldn’t be possible to love you more than I do right now.”
“I love you, my Winnie.” She smiled, and I reached for her hand and squeezed it.
I loved this girl big, and I’d only known her for three months.
Archer’s eyes met mine, and he didn’t say anything.
