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“Oh my God,” I groan, my head falling back as my temples start to pound. “A friend. I brought a friend! You came tonight. Does that mean you came as my date too?”
“Well, you did buy drinks,” he smarts off. “Serena is different, and you know it. She’s at the house a lot, and you two have a friendship Sophie can’t understand because it’s still new to her. You’re gonna need to do more than just tell her. You need to show Sophie that she’s the one you want.”
“Well, it’s hard to describe Serena’s and my friendship because we have a bond most people don’t, and after all this time, I’ve never noticed her changing how she acts around me. But I guess I can see how it looks from the outside, even if it’s really not what it looks like,” I say, mostly thinking aloud. “So I’ll show her then.”
“Thatta boy, now you’re learning.” Liam slaps my shoulder with a shit-eating grin.
Standing, I slap him right back. “Thanks, Dr. Liam,” I taunt. “Who knew you had so many special skills? Wait, don’t answer that. You’re your own biggest fan.”
“Ha!” He beams, then continues, “And my pleasure. But next time, I’m charging you.”
Shaking my head, I walk out of his room and go to the bathroom. Right now, after this revelation, I need a cold shower.
Chapter Twelve
Sophie
Sitting on my bed, I stare at the wall. My emotions are going crazy, and I feel as if I might break down at any moment. Watching Serena touch Mason and laugh at everything he said made something inside me snap. Noticing the way she responded to him, it was more than obvious how she feels, and the thought blinded me. I couldn’t hardly concentrate at dinner. While I feel bad for acting like a bitch, I know I’m not going crazy in thinking Serena is after him.
Or maybe I am.
Needing to know if it was just me or not, I text Lennon because she’ll be honest. It’s not too late, and I’m sure she’s just now settling down for the night.
Sophie: So. I have a question.
Lennon: Go for it. I’m sure I have an answer.
I pause before I type the message and wonder if I’m just being a jealous girlfriend. Then I laugh because our relationship is on hold, which means I have no right to be. Mason should be able to do whatever he wants, and it’s my fault because I took the lead and put us on pause. I want to give him all of me, not shards of who I used to be, and that’s going to take time. If only I knew how long.
Lennon: Did you fall asleep or something? I’m waiting on edge for this question.
A nervous laugh escapes me, but I know Lennon won’t judge. She never does.
Sophie: Do you think Serena has a thing for Mason?
After a few moments, the text bubble pops up, and I know she’s probably typing like a madwoman. It stops and disappears, and then her message comes through.
Lennon: She may, but it doesn’t matter what other people want, it’s more than obvious he doesn’t want her. He loves YOU.
Sophie: Are you sure? What if he does because I’m broken over here?
She sends me an eye roll emoji.
Lennon: I don’t think you have anything to worry about. Right now, just focus on healing, and everything else will work itself out. I promise. It always does.
I let out a breath and really take her words to heart. It’s hard not to worry when it’s been the only constant in my life for the past few weeks. Am I letting my insecurities get the best of me? Am I starting fights for no reason because of my rocky emotional state? Maybe I am. If Serena wanted him, why didn’t she pursue him all the years he was single? Could I be seeing something that isn’t there? Dozens of questions flood my mind, driving me crazy.
Trying to push the thoughts out of my head, I thank Lennon for chatting with me and turn off the lights with hopes to fall asleep.
It’s been five days since Mason and I had our small argument, and today’s the day I go back to work. He hasn’t brought it up since that night, but neither have I. It’s been rustling around in the back of my head ever since, even when I try to push it out. Though he was in denial about Serena, I know what I saw, and I’m not stupid. Mason’s a catch, and any woman would be lucky to have him—including me. Although Lennon’s words gave me some hope, I hadn’t been able to approach the subject since then.
I get out of bed and go to the bathroom. For the first time in a long while, I feel okay about going to work. The thought makes me smile because playing violin professionally isn’t like a normal job. I show up and get to do what I love, which is more than most people can say. There’s a lot in my life that I shouldn’t take for granted, and being able to play is one of them.
