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“For lunch. You like burritos, don’t you?”
“Uh, yeah. Who doesn’t?” She chuckles.
“Good. Then it’s settled. You choose what you want, and you can buy us lunch.”
Sophie snorts as she follows me down an aisle. “Hardly seems equal.”
“Oh, I don’t know. I have a pretty big appetite,” I muse, patting my stomach and grinning. “I might do some real damage.”
Sophie grins. “Now you’re just trying to amuse me.”
I smirk. “Is it working?”
“No!” she says, but she’s full-on laughing.
Thirty minutes later, we’re back in the truck with both pieces of furniture. It didn’t take nearly as long since both of our stomachs were growling at the mention of food. By the evening, her bed has been delivered and set up. I put her dresser and nightstand together while she washed her new bed set and decorated the room. She ended up finding a bookcase she wanted online instead, so I help her arrange the area to make sure there’s a spot for it once it’s delivered. Sophie folded her clothes and unpacked some of her bags, making the room her own.
“I like it. Looks awesome,” I tell her, collapsing on the bed.
“Hey! I just made that!” she playfully scolds.
“And you’re about to sleep in it,” I tease. “What do you think, Soph? An okay place to live for a while?”
She gives me a somber look, the corner of her lips tilting up slightly. “I think it’s more than okay.” Sophie takes a seat next to me and rests her head on my shoulder. “I don’t know how to thank you, Mason. You both for letting me stay here. For helping me. For…protecting me.” She starts to choke up, and I know she doesn’t want to say the words.
I turn and face her, tilting her chin so she looks up at me. “And I’d do it all over again if it meant keeping you safe. No matter what.”
Sophie studies my lips, and I swallow hard. Then as if she realizes she’s staring at them, she jerks to her feet and clears her throat. “Well, I think I’m going to go to bed.”
“Yeah, me too.” I push myself up. “Someone dragged me all over town today.”
“Oh my God.” She laughs, swatting at my chest.
We stand mere inches apart, and I can’t help myself; I need her closer. I wrap my arms around her shoulders and pull her to my chest. “Sleep well in your new room.” Then I lean back, kiss her forehead, and walk away.
“Good night,” she calls out weakly.
Today is a day neither of us have been looking forward to, but I understand Sophie’s reasons for going to that motherfucker’s funeral. She’s too kind to tell his mother the truth, but I’m relieved that Maddie and Lennon are joining her at least.
I make us coffee while she showers and wait for her in the living room. Once she’s dressed and comes downstairs, I hand her the mug with just the right amount of cream and sugar. Her voice is low and soft as she thanks me, and I know something is wrong.
“Soph, you don’t have to go if you’re not up to it. You can say no,” I tell her gently. I know it’s going to be a weird, emotionally draining day for her.
I watch as she sips her coffee and keeps her eyes down. She shrugs before finally meeting my gaze. “I just want to get it over with and move the hell on for good. I feel like this makes it final.”
“Closure,” I confirm, and she nods. “Okay, I get it.” Hell, I get it too much, but I don’t tell her that.
“My sisters will be there, and we won’t stay longer than needed,” she reassures me. “I told his mother I’d give her the key so they could go into his house and clean it out. After that, I’m putting these last six months of my life in the past for good.”
I look at her, noticing how much makeup she’s wearing on her face. I hate that she has to cover up marks that asshole gave her. They’re almost gone now, but I almost wish she’d bare it all so his family can see what a real piece of shit he was.
“You will, Soph. I’ll make sure of it.” I wink, needing to see her smile so I can stomach the idea of her going there. She rewards me with a grin, and that’s enough.
Maddie charges through the front door without knocking and immediately goes to Sophie’s side.
“Well, come on in,” I tease.
“Where’s Lennon?” Sophie asks.
“Her pregnant ass couldn’t keep up.”
“I heard that!” she shouts from the front door before shutting it. “Hey!” She gives us a wave before storming past us. “Gotta pee, hold on.”
Before either of us can say another word, Liam walks down the stairs in only his boxers, and for a split second, I consider giving him a warning that we’re not alone, but then decide to fuck it and let fate handle his ass instead.
