Page 67 of Whisper Sweet Nothings
Winnie
Archer had been verydistant since our make-out session a few days ago. Ever since we’d gone to his aunt and uncle’s house for Sunday dinner, his texts were short and there was zero flirtation, and our conversations were strictly about Melody.
Today was New Year’s Eve. Archer’s mom and dad were going to have Melody spend the night, as Bridger and Emilia were having a New Year’s party at their house, and Archer thought it would be fun for me to go as well.
But he’d just announced that he was no longer going to the party over dinner.
I was trying not to show my disappointment.
I couldn’t get that kiss out of my mind.
“I’m not going to Mimi and Pops’s house for a sleepover?” Melody asked as she munched on the homemade pizza I’d made.
Archer groaned after taking a bite. “Wow. This is the best pizza I’ve ever had.”
“Thanks,” I said, considering that was the most he’d spoken to me in a few days.
He turned his attention to Melody. “Nope. I’m staying home with my girl so we can ring in the New Year together.”
“I can stay home if you’d like to go to the party,” I said, since I’d never planned on going—he was the one to insist on it before I’d even left to go back home for the holidays. This was coming out of left field. “I don’t mind at all.”
“No. My parents offered as well. I’m the one who canceled.”
So his parents hadn’t changed their minds; it was all Archer.
He didn’t want to go.
It wasn’t like I hung all over the guy. I hadn’t brought up what happened between us, nor had I expected it to happen again.
It was a fabulous freaking kiss.
I didn’t expect anything from him.
But it was hard not to feel like I was the reason he wasn’t going. What kind of nanny was I if the dad I worked for couldn’t go out because he didn’t want to be around me?
“All right.” I stood and cleared my plate. “If you change your mind, I’m happy to stay home.”
“No. You should go, Winnie. There’s going to be a lot of people there, and it would be good for you to meet people your age now that you live here.”
People my age?
His obsession with my age was bordering on annoying.
“I’ve made plenty of friends since I moved here, so you don’t need to worry about me. I’m doing just fine.” I blew out a breath before stopping to kiss Melody on the cheek. “Happy New Year, sweet pea.”
“Happy New Year, my Winnie.” She smiled up at me, and there was a little smear of pizza sauce on her cheek. “And it’s Winnie’s birthday in February, right?”
“It is?”
“Yes, Archie. Imagine that. I’ll be twenty-five years old in February. Hopefully I can meet people my age after my birthday.” I chuckled.
He sighed as he studied me for a few beats. “Brenner will be there tonight.”
“Yes. He told me that he was going. I’m looking forward to seeing him.” Brenner and I were friends, but I wasn’t going to lie: I didn’t mind that it seemed to get under Archer’s skin.
“Good. I was unfair about him. He’s a good guy.”
“Ahh… he’s not too old for me anymore?”
