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"We haven't set one yet but will soon."
"Better get to it, because as soon as we tell Mia, Autumn, and Hope, you know they are going to want to start planning everything," Bryce said, pulling me in for a hug. "Congrats, bro."
Our weekly Monday-morning meeting quickly turned into a celebratory one, which turned into a celebratory lunch.
23
Sophie
Chase and I had spent the better part of the week at his place discussing at great length how we were going to move forward. We had decided that I would sell my condo and move into his, which was bigger, and ultimately had the best view of not only the city but of the harbor as well. Hunter had recommended their realtor, and I found myself running through my condo a week later, cleaning like a mad woman for an appointment with her Sunday morning.
I'd just gotten out of the shower and was sitting in the living room with the paper and a hot cup of coffee in hand while waiting for her to arrive. I was reading through an article when my cell phone vibrated on the table. I glanced at my phone and laughed when I saw Jenna's name. Her message of “are you okay” caused me to giggle, and I glanced to the sparkling diamond that I now wore on my left hand. I quickly began typing a message but stopped and called her instead.
"Hello," she sang into the phone. "It's about time you called. I was beginning to wonder if this past Valentine’s Day didn't do you in."
"I know. I'm sorry."
"Don't be sorry. Just tell me if you are okay."
"Listen, do you think you could meet me in a little bit?" I asked, using the same depressed voice I'd been using for the past five months, even though I was so far from that state of mind I now had whiplash.
"Of course, I can meet you. Just say where and when and I will be there. Is everything okay?" I heard her whisper something to Matt. It didn't surprise me as much as it bothered me that I had been their topic of discussion lately.
"Um, how about four at Aroma Mocha? The cafe should be pretty quiet by then."
"Oh, Sophie, at four? Come on, you need to start getting out again with humans."
"I know, I know, and I do get out with humans. I do still work, you know. Come on, please," I begged.
"Fine. I will see you at four, but only if you promise to come out with us on Friday night."
"I won't promise, but I will try, okay," I lied. I already knew we were meeting them Friday night. Chase just hadn't said anything to Matt yet.
"All right, I'll take that answer, since it’s better than the last few I've been given. I'll see you in a little bit."
We both hung up the phone. Just as I set my phone down, the realtor knocked on the door.
Two hours later, I shut the door to my condo and called Chase. "All the paperwork is signed," I sang into the phone.
"Awesome. Everything go okay?"
"Yep. I'll be over in a little bit, okay? Jenna wants to have a coffee. See you tonight?"
"You know it. I'll come to your place that way we can bring some of your things here tomorrow. Sound good?"
"Sounds great. See you soon."
I slipped my cell into my purse and left my condo. I walked down to Aroma Mocha. It was a beautiful, sunny day, and I couldn't wait to share the news with Jenna. I felt like I'd been holding this secret long enough. I walked in and placed our order—coffee and muffins as always—and took a seat over in the back corner.
I'd been waiting for ten minutes when I finally saw Jenna pull the door open and walk in. She looked around the fairly empty diner and finally saw me. I had to keep my head down to contain the smile that I had hidden on my face.
"Sophie, look at you. You're an utter mess," she bit out as she slid into the seat across from me. It was true. After the realtor left, I had thrown my hair up in a messy ponytail and put on an old T-shirt and jeans. If I was going to be packing later, I didn't want to wear good clothes.
I shrugged. "I guess, but I didn't think I looked that bad," I mumbled.
"Honey. You can't keep doing this to yourself. You can't keep hiding in your condo. We all miss you, and we are all very worried about you. I figured that after last weekend you would be good to go, but you've now been avoiding me. You didn't show up for yoga on Saturday either."
Shit, I had forgotten all about yoga, and I had promised Jenna I would be there too. I was about to explain when our coffee and muffins were placed down in front of us, and as Jenna thanked the waitress, I pulled my hand from below the table and grabbed my coffee mug.
