Page 135 of Whisper Sweet Nothings
“Three weeks. It’ll be a piece of cake.” He sighed.
“Okay.” I blew out a breath. I was so exhausted. “I’ve got to be up in four hours to get to the airport.”
“Close your eyes, baby. I’ll stay on the phone until you fall asleep.”
I didn’t want to tell him about the other things in the works that would require more travel.
I knew he’d tell me it was a good thing.
But right now, being away from this man did not feel like a good thing.
thirty-five
. . .
Archer
Winnie had been gonefor ten days, and we’d had a hard time finding the time to talk these last few days because she was on the East Coast. The time difference was an issue, plus she was really busy, not to mention completely exhausted.
Melody and I were struggling because we missed her, but we put on a good front whenever we spoke to her.
It was remarkable that we’d existed for so long without Winnie in our lives, and now, ten days without her felt like some sort of cruel punishment.
I’d stopped calling as much and letting her call me when she had time.
I didn’t want to bother her or make her feel pressured. She’d finally opened up to me that she might need to travel again for a week or two after Melody’s birthday. I could hear the concern in her voice.
I needed to proceed carefully.
Her life was changing, and there might not be room in it for me and Melody.
I couldn’t fault her for that.
But I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that I was struggling with it. With not knowing what the future held.
There was a knock on my door, and I glanced at the time, surprised that anyone was stopping by this late, as it was almost ten p.m.
I pulled the door open, surprised to see Bridger standing there.
“It’s late. Are you all right?” I asked.
“I’m always all right.” He moved past me as if he owned the place and walked straight to the kitchen. He pulled two beers from the refrigerator and popped the tops before handing me one. “Is Melody asleep?”
“Yes. It’s almost ten o’clock at night—of course she’s asleep.”
“Ahh… I see someone forgot to take his anti-dick pill today.” He gave me a look. “What’s going on with you, Archie? Everyone’s noticed that you’re not yourself.”
“How the fuck am I not myself? Who the fuck else would I be?”
“For starters—let’s dissect that response. That’s something I would say. Why are you so on edge?”
“I’m not.” I scrubbed a hand down my face.
I was.
Of course I was.
Everything was unknown right now.
