Page 140 of Whisper Sweet Nothings
“I don’t need an apology, Jaden. I’m good.”
“I can see that,” he said as he shoved his hands in his pockets. “I’m seeing someone. We’ve been together for a few months, and it’s good. She’s got a great job. Makes really good money, so she helped me get the car fixed, in case you were worried about it.”
I snorted. “I wasn’t worried about your car. But I’m glad you’re happy, Jaden. I wish you the best.”
“So, can I get a book signed for my girlfriend? She can’t believe my ex-wife is a famous author now.”
The woman who’d hosted the event, Vee, appeared out of nowhere, almost as if she’d sensed my discomfort. “We’re about to close, but I can ring you up for that book before I shut the register down.”
He startled a bit and glanced over at me. “Oh, you don’t get free copies?”
“I have copies that the publisher sends me to my home, but this is a book signing hosted by the bookstore. So the books aren’t free.” I started to reach into my purse for some cash but stopped myself.
Jaden wasn’t my problem anymore.
I didn’t need to buy him a book.
If he couldn’t spare twenty bucks to purchase my book, then that was his choice.
He surprised me when he pulled out his card and handed it to her.
She gave me a book, and I looked up at him. “Who am I making it out to?”
“Coraline,” he said, clearing his throat.
She was the woman I was fairly certain he’d cheated on me with.
I should have felt something.
Anger.
Sadness.
But I felt nothing for this man. Only relief that he wasn’t in my life anymore.
I’d surrounded myself with people who believed in me. People who respected me.
I quickly wrote her name in the book and signed it before passing it back to him. “My car is here, so I need to get going. Take care, Jaden.”
“Yeah, you too, Win.” He tucked the book under his arm and held up his free hand before walking out the door.
I thanked Vee before stepping outside and smiling when I slipped into the Uber.
It hit me in that moment how much my life had changed over the last few months.
I’d found a man I loved, and a little girl who had my heart.
I’d landed in the most peaceful town, where I’d made great friends.
My career had exceeded my expectations, and I was on a book tour, talking to readers about a book that I wrote.
I dialed Archer from the back of the Uber, hoping he’d pick up this time.
Melody’s face came into view, and I smiled, my chest squeezing just at the sight of her. “Hi, my Winnie. I’m missing you big.”
“I’m missing you, too, sweet pea.”
“Daddy’s taking a shower, and I’m watching a show until he comes out, but I heard his phone ringing, and I was hoping it would be you.”
