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Sophie nodded. “I’ve gone on plenty of first dates in my life,” Sophie acknowledged. “But to be honest, I’m not sure this is anything more than two friends attending an event together. We’ve developed quite a rapport. He makes me feel things I’ve never felt before. But I don’t think he wants to be more than friends.”
Suddenly, Sophie felt bashful. It was so hard to describe her feelings for Noah. Things had shifted between them after the Taste of Love event. They’d bonded. It had given Sophie the courage to ask Noah to be her date to the Founder’s Day festivities.
Sophie didn’t want to label what she was feeling for Noah, but it thrilled and terrified her at the same time.
Experiencing sparks with Noah felt wonderful, but constantly feeling as if she was sitting on a powder keg was uncomfortable. And it was scary to admit she might be the only one of them who felt an attraction. So far, she had no reason to think Noah viewed her as anything other than a buddy.
“So are the two of you an item or not?” Grace asked. “You still haven’t given me a straight answer.”
Sophie bit her lip. “I think he just wants to be friends.”
Grace grinned. “Sometimes friendship can be a great foundation for romance.”
Grace and Sophie locked gazes. They smiled at each other. They had arrived in Love on the same seaplane a little over a year ago. During the plane ride their friendship had been cemented when Sophie had held Grace’s hand due to her fear of flying. They’d been as thick as thieves ever since. Her best friend was at the top of her list of things she was thankful for.
“What time is he coming to pick you up?” Grace asked, bending down to move her sleeping daughter’s carrier a few feet away.
“I told him to come at five o’clock. My pulse is racing so fast I feel like a high-speed train.” Sophie began to fan herself with her hand. When had her nerves crept in? Suddenly she felt as awkward as a teenager on her first date. Her heart sank. This wasn’t really an actual date.
“Don’t be nervous, Sophie. Try to breathe. Just be yourself,” Grace urged. Her blue eyes radiated positivity.
It was somewhat ironic for Grace to utter those exact words. Just be yourself. Grace was the only one here in Love who knew Sophie’s true identity. And although she didn’t like keeping secrets from Boone, she had agreed not to tell anyone. Grace firmly believed that it wasn’t her story to tell, even though she was a journalist always in search of a juicy tale.
“Being in Alaska has allowed me to be my truest self,” Sophie said. “I’ve never felt more right within my soul than in the past year.”
Her friend smiled. “That’s what matters most.”
“I still miss my father, but the life I was living in New York was slowly chipping away at me. And I know being at odds with my family isn’t right, but I still haven’t figured out how to mend those fences. I love my life here in Alaska and I don’t want any interference with what I’ve built here.”
Sophie bit her lip. “I feel as if I’m at a crossroads. I worry about starting something with Noah and then having to tell him the truth about being the Java Giant heiress. He might consider it a huge lie. Let’s face it. A small-town cook might be affected by news of that variety.” Sophie could hear the agony in her voice. The situation was fraught with tension.
“At some point you have to come to terms with all of that, but not tonight,” Grace said in a brisk voice. “Right now you’re about to get dolled up. Nothing too glamorous, mind you. We wouldn’t want to send shock waves through town, would we?”
Sophie and Grace both chuckled. Love, Alaska, was a wonderful and quaint hamlet, but the townsfolk tended to be old-fashioned and sensible, rather than showy and over-the-top. Sophie wouldn’t have it any other way. She liked the town’s humble vibe. It was a far cry from debutante balls and galas in New York City.
Grace began to work on Sophie’s hair, wielding the flatiron like a pro. When she handed her the mirror to see her reflection, Sophie let out a gasp. Grace had managed to create an elegant hairdo, with some of her long hair hanging down, and the rest swept up in a twist. Her makeup was very natural and subtle.
“Gracie, it’s perfect. I look...amazing.” She turned toward her best friend. “Can I say that without sounding conceited?”
Grace leaned down and hugged her. “Of course you can. And you’re the least arrogant person I’ve ever known. You’re gorgeous, Sophie. Inside and out.”
“I’m very thankfu
l for your friendship and wise counsel, Gracie. God sure had a hand in our friendship by putting us on the same seaplane.”
“He sure did. I’m going to scoot before Eva wakes up and wants to be held or fed. I’ll see you later on at the festivities.” Grace peered into the carrier and let out a sigh. Baby Eva was still sleeping as quietly as could be.
Sophie walked them to the door and embraced her friend before parting. Grace shook her finger at her. “Remember, Sophie. You’re more than enough just as you are. And anyone who doesn’t realize it is plumb crazy.”
Sophie went into her bedroom and dissected everything in her closet. She still hadn’t decided on an outfit to wear tonight. After much deliberation, she chose a pretty sweater dress the color of oatmeal. She paired it up with dark leggings and her warm, fuzzy Lovely Boots. She looked comfortable and fashionable without appearing as if she’d tried too hard.
At ten minutes to five, Sophie heard a knock. She strode toward her door to open it for Noah. He was standing there looking more gorgeous than a person had a right to be, in a black winter coat with a dark pair of jeans. A nice red scarf hung around his neck, lending him a festive air.
“I know I’m early,” he told her with a grin. “I made sure I gave myself extra time in case I got lost.” He held out a bouquet of flowers for her. Sophie let out a gasp. She waved him inside her cabin.
“These are stunning. Peonies and baby’s breath. How did you know these are my favorite?”
Noah smiled, appearing pleased with himself. “I asked Hazel. She was only too happy to point me in the right direction. If I’m not mistaken I think she fancies herself as a matchmaker.”
