Page 45 of The Longest Wait

“No.” Travis was serious. “But before you and Sofia decide tofuck all over South Street, you might want to think about whatwill happen when one of you gets bored. It is bound to happen.Relationships aren’t your thing, and Sofia would rather catch monothan monogamy.”

“I don’t want to talk about her,” Alex said, for what felt like,the millionth time.

“All I will say is you better figure out your end game or youwill lose her all together.”

Lose Sofia? That wasn’t an option. “If that is all you have tosay about, can we now talk about how all of my assignments arecomplete bullshit lately. I’m on projects that a new photographerwould do.”

“You have to remember what happened last year,” Travisgravely said.

“I’m over that.” Alex was determined to be. “I need something else.”

Once they exhausted conversation about work, they movedon to easier topics. There was nothing like discussing the footballdraft to distract him. In the back of Alex’s mind, was Sofia. Traviswas right, he would lose her if he didn’t figure out what the hell hewanted. But was there ever a way to make things work with Sofia?That was a question he has wondered for the past ten years.

Chapter 14

LUCY ARRIVED A few minutes late when she was supposed tooriginally meet Sofia. If Sofia’s friends kept this up, she was goingto get a complex with their tardiness. Granted, it was only lunch,but she hadn’t seen Lucy in what felt like forever. They’ve all beeninsanely busy, it was more email and text conversations then faceto face. In fact, it was just the two of them who were able to meetfor lunch. May weddings must be having a comeback because Tesshad to miss lunch because of a flower emergency, whatever thatmeant. All Sofia knew was Tess had more wedding emergenciesthan what it was worth.

A flower emergency was outrageous.

“At this rate, I’m seriously thinking about asking.” Lucy pausedto sip her soda. “Or more like begging you to leave your consultinglifestyle and work with me. Chatter Events needs a full time techemployee, not only for my computer issues, but for my clientswho need help. It will broaden the packages I can present. If youwanted, you could still work from home and still have the flexibility consulting offers. Plus, we would get to work together. Youwould love it.”

This wasn’t the first time Lucy has brought the idea of Sofiajoining the team at Chatter Events and Sofia has played with theidea, but it was a lot to ask for. She loved the lifestyle of helping

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a company get their shit together, technology speaking, and thenbeing able to move on to the next client. If she worked for Lucy,there were too many strings and she wasn’t sure if she could makethe commitment. Lately though, it was sounded more her speed.“I’d consider it. Maybe in a couple months?”

Lucy pursed her lips together, not loving the response. “Whileyou debate it, would you update Chatter Events’ website? I needthe name to say Lucy Anderson, not Copeland.”

Sofia grimaced. “Really?”

“I don’t know why you’re surprised. If I remember correctly,we have discussed the issue at least a dozen times about whetheror not I should take his name. I was always in the should camp. Ilike the ring to it, Lucy Anderson.”

“Did you even do it legally yet?” Sofia wasn’t sure why it wassuch an issue for her. Maybe because taking a man’s name was sucha traditional sentiment to her, but it was too late to back down now.

“Work has been hectic, so I haven’t had the time until lastweek. It took me this long to get to the Social Security office.”

Sofia nodded like it made sense, even though it didn’t. “Copeland is a badass last name though.”

“Super badass,” Lucy agreed. “Just like Anderson is.”

She pretended to think it over with a smile. Either way, shewas happy for her friend. “Lucy Anderson has a lot to live up to.”

Their nachos arrived and they dug in.

With a cheesy chip in hand, Lucy said, “I don’t know whyyou’re so attached to the Copeland last name. It bothers you morethan it does me. If you like it that much, Alex is still on the market.”

Sofia’s blue eyes went wide. What would even make her saysuch a thing like the two of them together. Did Lucy know she sleptwith Alex? Lucy mistook Sofia’s look of shock and said, “I know, itwas stupid to say. You never want a relationship, and God knowsAlex will never settle down.”

Sofia agreed with a fake laugh that she hoped wasn’t noticeable.It felt like ever since her repeat performance with Alex, perhaps shewouldn’t mind a relationship. If the right person asked.

“When we’re done here, want to stop by my house for a few? Idon’t have another meeting for an hour, if you’re free,” Lucy invitedher over to her house.

Sofia agreed, even if it made her need to do more work whenshe got home. She was working on building a website for a startup mortgage company, so she had more flexible hours then herfriends. Plus, she needed some friend time. A distraction from thesilly notion she wanted a relationship.

Let alone a relationship with Alex.

LUCY AND JACK’S house wasn’t far from Alex’s apartment, sowhen Jack called him for some help on updating the basement, hedecided to walk there. The fresh spring air felt good and if walkingwas an option, he preferred it.