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“My son’s father,” Sofia answered before I could.
“I’m sorry for that. I’m Frank, by the way.” My brother extended his hand, and Sofia took it in hers.
“Sofia.”
“It’s nice to finally meet you.”
“You too.” She smiled, but I could tell she was still tense.
“Next time you come back, we’ll get you set up with the ladies.” Frank pointed at the table in the far back of the bar where Claudia and Jess were sitting with some of their friends. “That gorgeous brunette is my girlfriend, and the blonde is Nick’s.”
“Thank you, Frank.” Sofia smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes, and Frank walked back to tend bar.
Glancing around, I noticed a fair share of attention focused in our direction, Grant’s included. He looked concerned but I shook my head, warning him to stay out of it.
“I’m going to follow you home in my car. I want to be sure you’re safe, and I don’t trust that guy.” When she swallowed and opened her mouth, I sensed she was about to argue with me, so I stopped her. “Look, Sofia, I know you’re used to being alone and handling things on your own. But that’s not how it’s going to be with me and you, okay? You’re going to try to do things by yourself, and I’m going to fight you on it every time because you’re not alone anymore. We’re giving us a shot, right?”
She avoided my gaze, looking anywhere but my eyes, and I realized that was her tell. She was uncomfortable, maybe enough to attempt to lie.
“Sofia?”
Those gorgeous hazel eyes finally looked directly at me. “Yeah?”
“We’re doing this, right? Me and you?” I asked again, my thumb caressing her hand as I pulled her closer, fully aware we had an audience. I
didn’t care who knew, who saw, or who thought what. All I wanted was this woman in this moment with me.
“Yes.”
When she maintained eye contact, I relaxed, knowing I had some of her trust.
“Then you’re going to have to let me in,” I said as I pulled her into a tight hug. “And you’re going to have to get used to me helping you.”
I didn’t know Sofia that well yet, but I knew people enough to know that the ones hiding behind the tallest walls tended to have the largest hearts. They were simply scared of getting hurt. They didn’t hide because they hated love; they hid because they had so much of it to give.
“I don’t know how,” she murmured against my chest. “But I want to try. With you.”
“Then I’m either following you home, or I’m driving you. Your choice.”
She nodded and let out a sigh. “You can follow me. Thank you, and I’m sorry for all of this.”
“Don’t apologize. It’s not your fault.”
Although I tried to reassure her, I could see the self-imposed guilt written all over her face. That was going to have to change.
After I gave Nick a quick rundown of what happened, he wanted to shut the bar down so all the Fisher brothers could escort Sofia home, but I convinced him that wasn’t necessary. So, he and Frank practically shoved me outside, wanting to be sure that I didn’t worry about the bar when I needed to be focused on Sofia’s safety.
And I was.
And even though my brothers didn’t know her well yet, I could tell they were worried too.
So This Is Dating
Sofia
I had no idea what Derek was up to, but showing up at Ryan’s bar and demanding to talk to him was more than a little disconcerting. How had he even found out who Ryan was, or where he worked? I had no idea but didn’t have to think too hard. Derek’s family had power and money, two things that could get you any information you wanted.
But why? Why had he shown up here, and what did he want to talk to Ryan about?
