Page 52 of Whisper Sweet Nothings
I’d responded that we’d already discussed that this morning, and I thanked him again.
Did I like the new brand of mint chip ice cream he’d picked up for me.
Again, I responded that I loved it, and we’d also already discussed that this morning as well.
He’d shoveled the walk, so not to worry when I got home, because it should be clear.
I thanked him.
It was ridiculous, really, and it made no sense.
He was either a controlling boss who really wanted me to be aware of what was going on at the house while I was gone, or he didn’t like the idea of me being out with Brenner Layton.
Brenner placed the palm of his hand on my lower back and guided me toward the door. But before we could make it past the front entrance to the side, the door to the main house swung open.
“Oh, hey,” Archer said, standing in the doorway. “I thought I saw lights in the driveway and wanted to make sure you got home safely with the crazy weather conditions.”
Brenner chuckled under his breath as I glanced around. It wasn’t snowing. It was cold, but still a very calm evening as far as the weather went.
“The roads are fine.”
“Oh, I thought a storm was rolling in,” Archer said, crossing his arms over his chest as he glanced up at the sky as if he were checking for a storm. “Anyway, I was waiting up to discuss your travel plans for tomorrow. There’s a few things I wanted to go over with you, if you have a moment.”
Brenner covered his laugh with a cough this time.
“I’ll be right in, Archie,” I said with a sigh.
He nodded and stepped back, closing the door a bit, but leaving it cracked open for me.
“Listen, I sense a little something here, and I certainly don’t want to step on any toes.” Brenner smirked. “Archer is a great guy, and I got the feeling he wasn’t happy about me taking you to dinner when I picked you up earlier.”
“Ahh… you mean when he was playing with his power tools in the garage for absolutely no reason at all?” I laughed, because Archer had acted odd as hell when Brenner showed up at the front door.
He was the one who had been avoiding me.
He’d gone on a date last night, and I hadn’t acted irrationally.
I worked for the man, for God’s sake.
He was the one who said that the almost kiss was a mistake.
“Or when he told me about how he has a membership to the gun club and flexed his muscles several times while standing in the doorway, glaring at me?” Brenner pursed his lips.
“There really is nothing going on here.” I shrugged. “I mean, he’s great, but he’s not interested in me that way.”
“I don’t think that’s the case, Winnie. And Bridger kind of warned me that I was barking up a dangerous tree by asking you out.” He chuckled.
“I think Archer is just protective because I work for him.”
“Sure he is,” he said with a smile. “How about this… We can be friends and grab a bite to eat anytime. And you figure out what’s going on with that jealous boss of yours in the meantime. I noticed the way your cheeks pinked when he came out to check on you, so I have a feeling there’s a little more here than either of you want to admit.”
“It doesn’t mean anything will come of it. I work for him, and I just got divorced.”
“You’ve been separated from your husband for a year. You deserve to be happy, Winnie.” He leaned down and kissed me on the cheek.
“Thanks, Brenner. I had a really nice time.” I held up my hand and waved as I walked toward the front door.
I couldn’t believe that Archer had waited up for me.
