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He couldn’t disagree. “Sophie is amazing. I’m lucky to have found her.”
“You know she used to run around the house dressed up as a bride,” Mike laughed. “And she had this baby doll named Bella that she took everywhere — even dressed the thing in her own clothes. It’s hard watching your kids grow up, especially when things happen so quickly, but Sophie’s going to be an amazing mother. I only asked because I care and I want her to be happy.”
Did Mike know? Noah was sure that Sophie hadn’t told her parents anything about their arrangement. He didn’t know what to say. “I’ll try my best.”
It was hard hearing her father be so protective of her. Hearing him express his love for his daughter. Noah could never imagine Richard saying something like that on his behalf.
They finished their round after another couple hours and walked back to the parking lot.
Mike patted him on the back. “We should do this again sometime.”
“Yeah, of course,” Noah replied, knowing that it was unlikely.
It would be a bad idea to get attached to Sophie, let alone her family. But he really liked Mike, admired him even.
Maybe if Noah had been raised differently, he could have been like Mike. A person who would emotionally support and protect his child. A man whose child could truly depend on him.
But he wasn’t.
CHAPTER16
SOPHIE
Sophie held Noah’s hand as they entered theNovabuilding, ready to put on their best performance as a couple. Teaming up with the magazine was the best way for Noah to cement his new image in line with the company’s longstanding one. With the hope that it both reinforced Birch and boosted Noah positively.
Noah gave her hand a quick squeeze before offering his to the editor they had been in contact with. Lance wore black pants and a loose purple tunic that complemented his dark skin. His loc’d hair was braided behind his head and reached his narrow shoulders.
“Welcome back, Mr. Birch. I’m so happy you reached out to us. The party at Fairview Hall was exquisite, and we’re honored that you’ve chosen us for your announcement.”
“Of course. Thank you for having us,” Noah replied.
“And you must be Sophie! Hello and congratulations, I’m sorry I didn’t get to make your acquaintance at the party.”
She smiled. “Thank you, and no worries at all. It was a very busy night. It’s lovely to meet you.”
Lance had informed Sophie that she should show up without her hair and makeup done, that they would take care of everything. Sophie had been hesitant but had followed his rules. Noah had never seen her without makeup before. Not that she was self-conscious, but it felt casually intimate.
She figured that Lance had told Noah the same thing, as he sported unstyled hair for the first time. It caused his short brown hair to fall boyishly onto his forehead.
For the first time, she felt truly attracted to him. Not lustful but genuine, warm, and heartfelt. She took this as a good thing; maybe it was the beginning of a less sexually driven relationship. Friendship, perhaps.
“Okay, well let’s get started,” Lance said. “I will take Noah and Sophie, you can head over to hair and makeup with Tracy. She will be your stylist for today.”
A woman she assumed was Tracy stood behind him. She was wearing a black pantsuit and had voluptuous curly hair.
Sophie shook Tracy’s hand. “Follow me.”
The hair and makeup room was exactly what she pictured it to be — a small room with large vanity mirrors, chairs, and a rack full of clothing items.
Tracy started by adding curlers into Sophie’s hair and then turned her away from the mirror as she worked on her face. She asked a few questions about her everyday routine before she started.
Usually, Sophie kept her makeup routine pretty basic, besides the eyeliner she used to highlight her eyes. She liked looking fierce, fiery. So when Tracy turned her around, she was shocked.
Sophie didn’t look fierce or fiery but rather, soft and maternal. It appeared like she was wearing almost no makeup at all. The changes were subtle yet incredible. Her cheeks looked more rounded thanks to the light rosy blush. Her eyes were painted a soft pink, and her lashes were coated in a way that made her eyes appear bigger, almost innocent.
“Do you like it?”
“It’s beautiful. You did an amazing job.” Sophie tried not to laugh at herself for being painted as a picture of innocence, given the nature of how she had gotten pregnant.
