Page 76 of Wildflowers and Wide Receivers

“You two seem to be doing all right to me,” she says, watching me in return. Her words slide into my chest. I really am trying to do my best.

“Jonah, time’s up,” Camden says, making his way in front of us.

“Maybe you should sit down for this,” I tell him.

“Why? It’s like you don’t even know me. When have you ever seen me drop anything? That’s the difference between a running back and a wide receiver.” He smirks, and everyone in the room groans.

But without saying more, Camden moves over to the rocking chair and sits down. I follow, gently handing Claire off to him, and then move back to Sophie’s side.

“What are you doing tonight?” I ask her. Her last text this morning didn’t imply she had plans, but you never know.

“Nothing. Why?” she asks, looking up at me curiously but also with an excited anticipation that I might want to see her. I love when she gets like this, but she should know by now that I always want to see her.

“Do you want to have dinner with us?” I run my hand down her back and let it settle at the bottom.

She looks down and then frowns. “I didn’t bring a change of clothes.”

“That’s okay. Clothes are optional,” I whisper so only she can hear me, and her cheeks turn pink. “We can order in. I don’t really have anything fresh to eat since we’ve been gone.”

“Ordering in sounds good to me.”

“Did I hear you say you’re going to order food?” Tyler asks. The door is now open to the hallway so everyone can see inside, and unbeknownst to me, he’s moved next to us.

I shoot him a look, and he grins. Sophie turns around to look at him too, but he just smiles even bigger at her.

“I’ll have whatever you’re having,” he tells me, and I let out a sigh.

“Yeah, me too,” Sully says.

I look at each of the guys, and they’re all staring at me. While I would love that alone time with her, we’ll get it after they leave and Vivi goes to bed. Vivi loves it when they all come over.

“Fine. Jack, do you and Meg want to come over too?”

“Yes,” Meg says, smiling at Sophie.

“Mrs. Jackson? Nate?” I ask both of them as they are in the room and that makes them a part of the conversation.

“Oh, that’s okay, dear. Thank you for including us too, but I want to stay here for a little while longer and then just head back to the house.”

“Well, if you change your mind, just let us know.” I turn to Sophie. “Do you want pizza, Mexican, or Thai?” Her opinion on what we eat is the only one that matters to me.

“Do you even need to ask?” She laughs.

No, I guess I don’t.

Chapter 31

Sophie

Over the past couple of years, the annual children’s hospital gala has become one of my favorite events. I had no idea Jonah had tickets. Somehow, I had completely missed that it was coming up, and my jaw dropped when he told me where we were going. The money the gala raises for research and children in need is incredible. It’s one of these events that always fills my heart and makes me incredibly proud to be in the healthcare industry.

“Wow,” I whisper to Jonah as we walk into the hotel ballroom. “Someone did an exceptional job. It’s beautiful in here.” I gawk at the elegance and ambience.

“You’re beautiful,” he tells me, and I find him not looking at the decorations at all. “I know I told you this when I picked you up, but, Sophie, you are stunning tonight.”

His words make my insides shiver. It’s not even that he gave me a nice compliment, which he does frequently; it’s that I feel good, and I’m proud to be here with him tonight.

Looking down, I fluff out the chiffon. It’s a gold strapless, figure-shaping gown with gold foil roses inlaid as a pattern, and it has a chiffon layer that is loose and waterfalls down over the dress. I found it in an upscale vintage dress shop and couldn’t say no. I also know that Jonah loves me in gold and silver from the night we met, so this gold dress was perfect.