Chapter 18
eighteen
. . .
Winnie
Archer had been very distant 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?”
“Not my place to tell you who to date. I apologize for putting my nose where it doesn’t belong,” he said, but his smile looked forced.
He was clearly done with all the flirty banter.
It stung, but I schooled my features to appear unaffected.
I’d just gotten out of the worst relationship one could have, and I was supposed to be enjoying being single.
This should not hurt my feelings.
“No worries. I’m going to go get ready. Happy New Year.” I turned quickly and made my way to my room.
I’d picked up a fun dress to wear tonight with the gift card my aunt and uncle had gotten me for Christmas.
I spent the next hour shaking off the sullen feeling that had engulfed me after Archer had basically insisted that I go to this party and find a man.
I get it. You don’t like me that way.
Maybe it was the fact that I’d literally humped the man like a horny teenager at the height of her sexuality.
He’d probably been horrified.
I picked up my phone and pulled up my playlist. I quickly found my favorite T-Swift song and was soon singing along with “Shake It Off” while I put on my makeup.
I went for a smoky eye and a red lip, which I never did. I curled my hair and left it down tonight. I wore my gold bow earrings that my father had gotten me for my college graduation.
After slipping into my new formfitting black sequined dress and adding my black strappy stilettos, I glanced in the mirror.
I hadn’t dressed up in such a long time.
I felt good.
I pushed away the nerves fluttering in my stomach, as I wouldn’t know a lot of the people who would be there tonight, but I was determined to have a good time.
I’d made good progress on my book this week, and the new office had proven to be the dreamiest workspace. I’d effectively blocked Jaden, who seemed like he might actually leave me alone this time.
I made my way through the door to the house to get my dress coat out of the front closet. I stored some things in the house, since the closet in my room was fairly small. But yes, a part of me probably wanted Archer to see me in this dress.
I’d bought it thinking he’d be at this party tonight.
Hell, I’d bought it with him in mind.
My heels tapped against his wood floors, and I saw his head turn to look at me out of my peripheral vision.
I made it to the closet and pulled out my black dress coat, and Melody let a loud gasp escape.
“My Winnie looks like a real live princess,” she shouted across the room as I slipped my coat on.
“Thank you, sweet pea.”
Archer was on his feet, moving toward me. “It’s snowing out there. Are you driving?”
Bridger and Emilia lived less than two blocks away.
“No, because I’m sure I’ll have a few cocktails tonight. So I’m going to walk.”
“You can’t walk in this weather.” He gaped at me, and then his eyes scanned the length of my body down to my four-inch heels. “You’re walking in those shoes?”
“Well, I hadn’t thought about the shoes. I guess I’ll wear my boots and carry my heels in a bag.” I chuckled as I leaned down to unstrap my shoes.
“Absolutely not.”
“Excuse me?”
“You’re not walking in this weather, not to mention it’s not safe to walk alone at night.” He was already slipping on his cowboy boots. “Grab your coat, angel face.”
“Yes!” Melody punched her fist toward the ceiling.
“This is Rosewood River. I’m from Chicago. I am not afraid to walk alone here.” I laughed and shook my head with disbelief. “Archie, I’ve been taking care of myself for a very long time.”
“I’m sure you have. But the tourists are out, and you don’t need to take care of yourself when you’ve got me to drive you.” He paused for a second. “How about you don’t argue, and you let me win this one.”
I nodded. “Fine. I’ll take the ride and save my feet.”
Melody ran off to get her cowboy boots, and Archer turned to look at me. “You look beautiful, Winnie.”
“Thank you.” I could feel my cheeks heat. What was it about this man that just made me so reactive? “I’m sorry you aren’t coming to the party. It’s going to be lots of fun.”
“I think a night in watching Frozen for the hundredth time sounds far more appealing than cocktails and music and grown-up conversation.”
My gaze locked with his until Melody came bustling down the hallway. “I’m ready.”
The three of us piled into Archer’s truck, and a part of me just wanted to stay home. I’d grown so comfortable with them. But he didn’t want me here tonight, and he’d practically insisted I go out and meet people.
Archer’s Bluetooth announced an incoming call from his mother, and he answered.
“Hey, Mama, what’s going on?”
“Where are you?” she asked.
“Melody and I are dropping Winnie off at Bridger and Emilia’s.”
“Hi, Isabelle,” I called out, because I loved Archer’s mother. She was sweet and funny and very warm.
“Hey, sweetheart. You go and have some fun tonight.”
“I will. Thank you.”
“I was calling to see if you and Melody want to drop by,” Isabelle said. “I baked a couple pies, and they’re still warm. I’ve got ice cream and whipped cream, too.”
“Yes, please!” Melody shouted from the back seat, and I chuckled as we pulled into Bridger’s driveway.
“All right. We’ll come by after we leave here. See you soon.” He ended the call and turned to look at me. “Call me if you need a ride home.”
“Really? You think I’m going to have you bring Melody out in the cold after she’s gone to bed?” I asked. “I’ll be fine. You need not worry. Have a good night.”
“Yeah, you too.”
There was something unreadable in his gaze.
But Archer Chadwick was going to give me whiplash if I tried to figure out what was going through that head of his.
He’d made it clear that he wasn’t interested in me. I didn’t need to be told again.
“Bye, my Winnie!”
I opened the back door and kissed her cheek. “I’ll see you in the morning. Sweet dreams. And eat some pie for me.”
She was still giggling when I shut the door as a car pulled into the driveway. I turned around as Brenner Layton stepped out of his fancy black Mercedes.
“Hey, Winnie. Happy New Year. I’m glad you came.” He offered me an elbow, and I slipped my hand through it to help me keep my balance on the slick pavement.
I glanced back to see Archer watching us, and I quickly looked away.
This was what he’d insisted I do tonight. If he didn’t like it, he’d need to figure it out all on his own.
Once we stepped inside, it was party time. Emilia had decorated the place like nothing I’d ever seen.
They had an enormous black-and-gold balloon arch that must have stood thirteen feet high.
White roses with large gold bows were wrapped around the vases on every surface in their home.
There were crowns and horns and all sorts of fun New Year’s things.
Lulu and Henley rushed over to me when Brenner helped me slip my coat off.
“Look at you!” Lulu said as she wrapped her arms around me. “And you don’t look too shabby yourself, Brenner.”
“Thank you. But it’s hard to look good next to this one,” he chuckled as he flicked his thumb in my direction.
Henley hugged me, and Emilia, Eloise, and Wren hurried over to join us.
“And that’s my cue to go find a drink. Come find me in a little bit,” Brenner said as he winked at me.
“He’s definitely into you,” Emilia said.
“But she’s not feeling it,” Lulu said. “I know when a woman is into a man. I’ve got my PhD in reading the vibes between people.”
Henley laughed. “You do have a gift for reading a room.”
“So, is she vibing with anyone here?” Wren asked.
“Too soon to tell.”
“Well, Clark invited a few players from the team, and I’d love to introduce you.” Eloise wiggled her eyebrows at me, and I chuckled.
“Sure.”
We started walking toward the crowded great room, and Lulu put her arm around my shoulder and leaned in close to my ear. “They have no idea that you’ve already got your sights set on someone.”
“I do?” I wasn’t sure what she was referring to.
“Let’s just say, you’re writing a single-dad romance, but I think you might be living one, too.” The corners of her lips turned up.
“Nope. Because in romance books, the hero and the heroine both have to be interested in one another. And that is definitely not the case here. He practically shoved me out the door and told me to meet some people my own age.” I rolled my eyes.
“Welcome to the Chadwick men. They don’t ever take the easy path.” She gave me a little squeeze when the girls stopped to get us all flutes of champagne from one of the waiters they’d hired for the event. “But good things are always worth the wait, Winnie.”
I’d waited a long time for something good to come along.
But a part of me wondered if real romance would only ever live on the pages of my books for me.
Not everyone was destined for happily ever after.