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I burst out into laughter. “Aren’t we all?”
Sophie tenses, and I take it as my opportunity to leave them to chat. As I’m climbing the stairs, I hear Sophie talking to her and freeze.
“You don’t need to rush into anything. Seriously, one of the biggest mistakes I made in my life was rushing into a relationship. Let everything happen organically, and if it’s meant to be, it will happen. I promise you,” Sophie says so sweetly and patient, just like the big sister she is. “You’ll find a nice guy, someone who treats you right, and when you meet him, you’ll know he’s the one without a doubt.”
It goes quiet for a second, then Maddie speaks up. “I knew the moment I met Liam.”
And not even I can argue with that because when you know, you know.
Just as I know Sophie’s the one for me.
Chapter Sixteen
Sophie
The temperatures have finally started to drop now that the middle of October is upon us. I’ve been waiting for this for months, though I’ve been wearing sweaters and boots for weeks. Fall is my favorite season, and I count down to it every year.
This morning, I’m meeting Lennon at the doctor’s office so we can find out if I’m getting another niece or a nephew. As I make a cup of coffee to go, Mason enters the kitchen.
“You’re up early,” he says, running his fingers through his messy hair.
I take a sip of coffee and look him up and down, taking in all his muscles and the way his pants hang on his hips. Damn, the man is sexy as hell. Would it be inappropriate to show my therapist a picture of him so she can see exactly what I have to look at every day? Sometimes, I think I’m ready to take our relationship to the next step, but then I start second-guessing everything and don’t. Mason’s been so damn patient, letting me take the lead and never pushing me. Hell, even I’m getting blue balls at this point. But I’m making amazing progress in therapy, and the nightmares and anxiety have slowly drifted away. I still get anxious at times, but I’m way better at managing it than before.
“Lennon’s appointment is at eight, and it’s across town, so I have to get through early morning traffic,” I remind him.
He pours himself a cup and leans against the counter. “Oh yeah. I forgot. Any bets as to what you think she’s having?”
“Hmm.” I pucker my lips and tap my finger on the outside. “I think it’s a boy and so does Hunter. Lennon doesn’t have a preference. Maddie thinks it’s a girl. Actually, she’s convinced it’s a girl.”
Mason grins, and I love the way his cheeks have a little dip in them. Sometimes, he catches me staring at them but doesn’t call me out on it. “Maybe it’s twins.”
“Nah, she’d know that by now, but hell, stranger things have happened.” I check the time and realize I need to finish getting ready and get going. “Love the view, but I gotta go,” I say, admiring him one last time.
“You can look anytime you want.” He shoots me a wink.
“Would it kill you to wear a shirt once in a while?” I tease, knowing damn well I don’t mind.
“Would it kill you not to wear a shirt once in a while? Then we can be twinsies.” He waggles his brows, and I snort and roll my eyes at his pathetic joke.
“Ha-ha. Bye.” I walk away before I do something stupid like reach out and touch him.
While driving to meet Lennon, a smile touches my lips. It’s finally Friday, and I’ve had a really good week so far. Actually, the past few haven’t been bad. I write in my anxiety journal a little less each week, and playing my violin feels normal again. I’ve even thought about calling my old students to take up tutoring again. Right now, I’m in a good place mentally. The only thing I need to work through is Mason’s and my relationship, but I’m taking my own advice and allowing it to happen organically. Mason’s not some fling to me. He’s more than that. He always has been, and I knew the moment I met him that he wasn’t just some guy.
When I pull into the parking lot, I see Lennon’s car, so I know she’s already inside. I take a huge gulp of coffee, then grab my clutch and head out. As soon as I enter the waiting room, I see Hunter, Lennon, and Maddie all cracking up as Allie babbles.
“Allie Cat,” I say, holding my hands out, and Lennon happily hands her over.
“I need coffee.” She groans. During her last pregnancy, she refused to drink a drop, and she’s worse than me when it comes to coffee time, so she’s still struggling.
