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Nick reached up to squeeze my shoulder. “He just doesn’t want you to get caught up in this kind of craziness for no reason. We both know how badly you want to fall in love,” he added, which told me they’d already talked about this when I wasn’t around.
“It’s not about falling in love. I wouldn’t do this with anyone else. I wouldn’t go anywhere near a situation like this if it wasn’t for Sofia.”
“I’m just looking out for you,” Frank said.
I nodded, understanding his worry, but this was my life.
I pointed at Frank. “You knew right away when it came to Claudia. And you,” I pointed at Nick, “you knew when it came to Jess. Why can’t I know when it comes to Sofia?”
“You can,” Nick said.
“Well, I do.”
Jess held up a hand to interrupt. “It’s always intrigued me that we accept without question when someone says that they knew right away that a person was wrong for them. You know what I mean?”
Although I struggled to keep up, Claudia apparently was following along easily. “Like if I went on a date and said he wasn’t the one, you’d agree and tell me the right guy was still out there?”
Jess nodded. “Exactly. But why don’t we accept it when someone says they’ve found the right one? Why aren’t we allowed to know they’re the one for us, the way we’re allowed to know that they’re not?” Her green eyes searched each of our faces. “Am I making any sense? It makes sense in my head.”
“It makes perfect sense to me. I get what you’re saying,” Claudia said to reassure her, and Jess seemed to relax with relief.
Nick pulled her close. “I get it, babe.”
As my younger brother exchanged a loving look with his girlfriend, I realized that the longing I used to feel was gone. I didn’t find myself envying what my brothers had the way I used to. I had something of my own that fulfilled me. Something good. Something I would damn sure fight for, and I’d do just that if it came down to it.
“I need to make a quick call. I’ll be right back.” I unlocked the drawer and pulled my cell phone out before walking into the office and closing the door behind me. Pulling up Sofia’s contact, I dialed and waited for her to answer.
“Hey. Everything okay?” she asked, knowing that I normally never called her this early whi
le I was at work.
“Yeah, but can I stop by tonight after I get off? I know it’ll be late, but it’s important.” I tried to sound calm, not wanting to worry her.
“Of course,” she said, and I could tell she was smiling. “Just call me when you’re on your way so I can get up.”
“Perfect. See you later, angel.” I smiled too before pressing End and getting back to work.
• • •
Around three in the morning, I called Sofia and let her know I was on my way. It was a shit thing to do, but I didn’t want to keep Derek’s visit from her any longer, and I wanted to tell her in person.
And seeing her answer the door wearing only a T-shirt that barely covered her ass was an added bonus.
“If it isn’t Mister Good-bye Pants.” She propped the door open and gave me a kiss on the cheek.
“The pants stayed on tonight, sweetheart. Unlike yours.” I pointed at her bare legs, and she tugged at the hem of her shirt, trying to make it longer. “Don’t do that. I like it just the way it is.” I reached for it and started to tug it up, but she swatted my hand away.
“Stop it. What about the shirt? Did it stay on?” Her eyebrows raised in question, and I knew what answer she expected.
“It did,” I said, remembering how I’d hidden in the office during last call to avoid the whole shirt thing. I decided that I’d quietly disappear during last call from here on out until people stopped asking for it. Either that, or one of our other bartenders could take his shirt off if they insisted on continuing the tradition, but I was officially done being a plaything for strangers.
“Really? You didn’t take it off?”
“Nope, I didn’t.”
“I’m impressed.” Sofia gave me a proud smile as she went into the kitchen and poured a glass of water.
“I’m impressive.”
