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Sophie bites down on her lower lip, then meets my gaze. I know she hates that she needs help and didn’t ask, but I’m offering anyway. “What’s next?” I question, hoping to snap her out of her overactive thoughts.
“I need some pillows,” she says.
I smile. “Lead the way.”
An hour later and after a lot of convincing, Sophie has new pillows, a lamp with an Eiffel Tower as the base, and a few décor items. Then she forced me over to the kitchen area. As long as we weren’t shopping for her specifically, she was all about it. Now, I’m the proud owner of a twelve-piece set of dinner plates with four ceramic mugs to match, a paper towel holder that apparently suits the counters better, and some kind of silverware organizer contraption. After all that, Sophie dragged me to the bathroom section and picked out a set of oversized super soft bath towels. When I spotted an Eiffel Tower shower curtain, I threw it into the cart too, which made her grin ear to ear.
Just as we push our two carts toward the checkout, I see my aunt out of the corner of my eye rushing toward me. I inhale a sharp breath, knowing I’m about to get hounded.
“Mason!” she squeals, then immediately pulls me in a hug. She’s my dad’s sister, which should be awkward, considering how I feel about my father, but she gives him enough shit for me to know she doesn’t always like him either. “It’s been a while, kiddo. How’ve you been? You doing okay?”
She gives me a look that tells me she knows what’s been going on behind the scenes. She might not always get along with her brother, but she works in politics too, and they all talk.
“I’m fine.” I flash her a reassuring smile so she doesn’t say what’s really on her mind. I turn to Soph and introduce them. “This is my aunt Sylvia.”
My aunt smiles at her. “This is Sophie, my—”
“Roommate,” Sophie quickly says, interrupting me with a grin. She’s much more than that. More than my friend even. But how the hell do you introduce someone as your one-time bathroom quickie fling that you’ve friend-zoned, killed her boyfriend, and who now lives with you?
Roommate it is.
“It’s so lovely to meet you.” Aunt Sylvia wraps her up in a tight hug. Yep, she definitely knows Sophie is much more than a roommate.
“Oh, uh, you too.” Sophie chuckles.
“Since Mason hasn’t visited his favorite aunt in a long time, I’d love to invite you both for dinner some night.”
Sophie glances over at me, and I quickly intervene.
“She’s just getting settled into the house and has a busy work schedule, so maybe in a couple of months,” I offer so she doesn’t push.
“Sure, that’d be great.” Aunt Sylvia winks at me, and I muffle a groan. “You two kids have fun shopping.” Then she turns her attention toward Sophie. “If he starts acting anything less than a gentleman, just remind him that I have an entire baby album of him with lots of bath time pictures, and I’ll gladly show them off.”
Kill. Me. Now.
Sophie giggles, her cheeks turning bright red. “He’s been very respectful, don’t worry. This whole trip was his idea. In fact, he insisted,” she reassures her.
Aunt Sylvia looks at me with a proud smile. “That’s my boy. But I might show her anyway just because you were so darn cute,” she says in a high-pitched voice, patting my cheek.
“I would definitely love to see those pictures,” Sophie adds, her smile wide and taunting as I narrow my eyes at her.
“Sure, fine,” I say as if it wouldn’t bother me. “I was a cute kid, though. You might not be able to resist me once you see them.” I shoot Sophie a wink.
“Well, you call me when you kids are available for dinner, and we’ll make it happen. I better go find your uncle Frank before he wanders off.” She waves and rushes to the other side of the store just as fast as she came barreling over.
“Baby bath pictures, huh?” Sophie teases as we push our carts to the front to check out.
“Shut up,” I mutter, earning a playful laugh in return.
Once I’ve paid and we’ve loaded up the truck, I drive to IKEA. “What are we doing here?” Sophie asks, unbuckling her seat belt.
“Well, you need a dresser and nightstand, right?”
She shrugs.
“You do. Let’s go.”
“I really don’t need both,” she insists as we walk inside. “I already feel like you’ve done too much.”
I shoot her a look of disapproval.
“At least let me buy something so I feel like less of a freeloader!” She groans, pushing the cart we grabbed on the way in.
“Fine. You can buy the burritos.” I flash her a smile.
“Huh?” She furrows her brows, which I find sexy as hell.
