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On our way past the table, Emma is there arranging the flowers I brought. The table is set for six.
Emma and Griffin aren’t the only ones surprised to see me. As I make my way toward him, Barrett’s eyes narrow in my direction.
“I didn’t know you were coming,” he says.
“It had slipped my mind until you mentioned it.” I’m aware that I’m lying through my teeth, taking advantage of the situation, but I don’t care. I need to see Sophie. When I scan the balcony and see she’s not there, my chest deflates.
I’m introduced to Kevin, a guy with dark hair and dark-rimmed glasses in a polo shirt and khakis. He must be Sophie’s date. When I shake his hand, I do my best not to crush it. It’s not his fault he’s unknowingly being set up withmygirl.
Chloe is holding Betty, her and Barrett’s Goldendoodle puppy in one arm, a wine glass in the other. I’ll admit the dog is adorable. We had dogs growing up, but I’ve never had the inclination to get a pet in my adult life.
Would Sophie want to get a dog?The thought surfaces, but I realize before there are any pets, we need to talk.
I could stay here and make small talk until she shows up, but I’d rather find her and talk in private.
I extricate myself from the group’s discussion and make my way back inside.
Emma is at the table again, this time adding another place setting.
“May I use your bathroom?” I ask.
“Second door on the left.” She nods down the hallway.
I walk past the bathroom and another door that’s open. A bedroom, the master. Griffin and Emma’s room, I’m sure. There’s a door farther down the hall on the right, but it’s closed. I’m assuming it’s Sophie’s room. I knock quietly.
“Just a minute,” Sophie calls. Her voice behind the door is all the confirmation I need to reach for the door handle.
I quickly let myself inside and close the door behind me.
For how well I’ve gotten to know Sophie, how much I’ve fallen for her, it hits me that I’ve never been in her space before. As I look around the room, it’s exactly what I would have imagined. It’s pure Sophie.
In front of me, there’s a queen bed covered in a white duvet with a small yellow floral print on it. There’s a bedside table with a vintage lamp and a pile of magazines. A leaning ladder bookcase with various decorative vases and an assortment of plants. The one from my mom is arranged in the middle of the shelf. Across the room is a desk with a mirror where I find Sophie.
At the sight of her, my heart beats wildly in my chest. I missed her so fucking much.
“Hunter?” Sophie startles when she sees me, dropping the necklace in her hands. “What are you doing here?”
“I wanted to talk to you,” I tell her. “Ineedto talk to you.”
Watching her bend down to pick up the necklace, I take her in. She’s wearing a matching two-piece top and skirt, the scoop neck top fits snuggly against her chest, exposing the swells of her breasts, the skirt is fitted around her waist, then flows around her hips, in the prettiest shade of blue.
“Um, you want to talk now?” She glances past me at the closed door, likely wondering if we’ll get caught in here together.
“Yes.” I signal for her to turn around. She holds her hair up while I latch the necklace.
It’s the delicate chain and wildflower pendant I gave her.
I’m satisfied to see it hanging there around her neck, but it also reminds me that she’s getting ready to be set up with another guy.
“You’ve been avoiding me,” I say. Our eyes meet in the mirror. In the past, I’d have avoided this conversation at all costs. Hell, I’d never even get to this point with a woman. Always keeping enough distance, making sure things didn’t get messy. But that’s all changed for me. I want to be messy with Sophie.
“We’re on a break,” she says in way of a response.
“You missed our run this morning.”
She lets out an exasperated huff. “I texted you. I overslept.”
“Then you didn’t respond this afternoon.”
