Page 26 of Whisper Sweet Nothings
“I did. And she was very determined to be the best home to our daughter while pregnant, and she left Rosewood River the day after Melody was born. Our relationship had obviouslyended months earlier, when we both realized we’d be going in different directions. But I appreciated that she stayed until after she gave birth so I could be involved, and be present in the delivery room.”
“And you don’t keep in touch?”
“Nope. It was part of the deal. No contact. She left town to head back to New York, and we said our goodbyes. There was no drama or hurt feelings by the time Melody entered the world,” I said, keeping my voice low.
Winnie’s eyes welled with emotion. “Wow. I love that you knew without hesitation that you were supposed to be her dad. And you aren’t resentful about her leaving?”
“No. I mean, it hurt at first, just like a normal breakup would hurt. I loved her, and she didn’t want the same things that I wanted. I couldn’t fault her for that. And she gave me my greatest gift, so I can’t be angry about it.”
“That’s really incredible. People come into your life for a reason,” Winnie said with a sigh. “And she really stuck to the agreement and never reached out?”
“Nope. We agreed it would be better that way. It’ll be up to Melody if she wants to find her when she’s grown up and able to make that decision for herself.”
“That had to be scary. A single guy becoming a father and doing it all on his own,” she said, shaking her head with disbelief.
“The beginning was overwhelming. I didn’t know what I was doing. But I have a very supportive family, and I learned as I went. All that really matters at the end of the day is that I love my little girl. The rest I’ll figure out.”
“She’s lucky to have such a good father,” Winnie said as a single tear trailed down her cheek.
I leaned forward and swiped it away with the pad of my thumb. Her skin was soft beneath my touch. “Trust me, I’m the lucky one.”
“Well, I’m glad I’m here. So now you can start having some fun. The girls told me you hardly ever go out. You’re still young—you’ve still got it.” She wiggled her eyebrows, and her cheeks pinked.
“I’m still young?” I laughed. “What about you. You’re plenty young. I don’t see you going out much.”
“I’ve been separated for a year, divorced for six months. Honestly, I’m just happy to be by myself. I have no desire to go out. So use me in the evenings. I’m happy to stay with Melody while you whoop it up.”
“‘Whoop it up’? Aren’t you twenty-four?”
“Your point?” she said with a sexy smirk.
“Aren’t you supposed to say ‘get lit’ or something hip like that?” I teased.
“My dad says I’m an old soul. So no one is getting lit over here,” she chuckled.
“Looks like we’re two old souls, then. But I’m probably going to be forced to go out tonight, so I’ll take you up on the offer to stay in with Melody tonight.”
“Yeah, I heard that there’s a woman who works for Lulu’s company here in Paris who wants to meet you.” She raised a brow. Damn, she was cute. “A little French romance does not sound like a bad thing.”
“And you’re sure you don’t mind staying in after Melody goes to sleep? We are in Paris, after all.”
“I’m your nanny. You literally pay me to stay in,” she said over a full-bodied laugh.
“All right. But you’ve got my number if you need anything. Her sleep schedule is going to be off with the time difference, so she may not go to sleep as easily, especially this first night.”
“We’ll binge-watch Disney and eat snacks. You need not worry about us,” she said. She set her plate on the tray as she stood up. “I’m going to go grab a shower and a nap, if that’s okay?”
“Of course. We don’t have to leave for a few hours.”
She smiled at me, then disappeared into the second bedroom and pulled the door closed behind her.
I’d need to rally tonight, as everyone would be excited to be out in Paris.
But a part of me wished I could stay in the hotel room bingeing Disney shows and eating junk food.
Of course I wanted to be with my daughter.
But I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that I enjoyed hanging out with my new nanny, too.
