24. Chapter 24
Chapter 24
S tone knew he wouldn’t sleep next to Sophie in a bed barely big enough for one of them let alone two and a slew of pillows. Nevertheless, he played along. Arguing with a slightly tipsy Sophie wasn’t a battle he wished to win tonight. Besides, this would be the perfect test for Clarabelle’s spell. A spell he doubted had completely taken hold considering the broken couch. Either that… or… Well, he’d think about the or tomorrow.
While Sophie had disappeared into the bathroom to brush her teeth, he had changed into a pair of sweats and a T-shirt. One of his own, not one of hers. When the bathroom door creaked open, he couldn’t help but glance over. Sophie stood framed in the doorway, the light casting her in a soft glow, clad in pink pajama bottoms and a matching T-shirt that read: Dreaming of My Book Boyfriend.
“Bathroom’s all yours,” she offered, her voice cheerful as she slipped under the covers.
“Wrong side. You’ll need to sleep over there.” He pointed to the other side of the pillows, heading toward the bathroom.
“But this is the side I always sleep on,” she protested with a hint of pout in her voice.
“Yes, but it’s the closest to the door. You’ll be the first target if someone bursts in here with guns blazing…unless you’re quick enough to grab your own and fire back,” he reasoned, half-jokingly.
She huffed. “Fine, but I’ll have to read to fall asleep on that side of the bed.”
“Not a problem. Why don’t we both start one of the thrillers we picked out?”
By the time he returned, Sophie was propped up on pillows, the covers pulled up under her armpits, a book lying next to her, and another on his pillow.
He crawled in beside her, the bed dipping as he did, but thankfully not breaking. He glanced at the title of the book she’d chosen. It was a paranormal thriller. “Good choice.”
“Want to take turns reading out loud?”
“Sure,” he replied, not hating the idea.
Sophie flipped the book to the first page and began reading. Her voice was light and airy.
After a few pages, she paused. “Do you believe in paranormal things?”
Stone’s eyes, previously closed as he listened, snapped them open. The book raised for reading prevented him from seeing her expression. Was she serious or just playful? He took a moment, choosing his words with care. “I think there’s a lot we don’t understand about the world. What about you?” he asked, shifting slightly to face her more directly.
She plucked away one of the pillows between them and rolled onto her side, meeting his gaze earnestly. “Honestly, I think Mom and Dad visit me sometimes. More so when I was little, but now and then, I see a flash of light when it’s dark, and I feel like it’s them, just checking in on me.”
“Are they here now?” Stone asked, his tone gentle, not wanting to dismiss her beliefs.
She shook her head slightly. “If they are, I don’t feel them tonight. What about you? Ever felt like you had angels or ghosts or something watching over you?”
Stone hesitated. It would be the perfect moment to share his secret, but the timing wasn’t right…not yet. None of the conditions were in place for him to spill. He and Sophie weren’t a couple, and no one had said I love you , and he wasn’t even sure if he could trust her. She had told him Ziggy’s secret without a hint of remorse. And had mentioned she had a blurting problem. “It’s getting late, and tomorrow you have three interviews lined up. We should probably try to get some sleep.”
Sophie wasn’t having it. “No way, mister. I told you my deepest secret. You’ve got to give something back. That’s how friendships work.”
“Only, we’re not exactly friends,” he reminded her gently.
Sophie’s brow furrowed. “Oh. I thought we were. Don’t you like me?”
“I do, Sophie, but I’m here to protect you. Being friends—that can complicate things.”
“In that case, I fire you. I’ll let Ms. Birdie know first thing in the morning.”
“You can’t fire me. She’d think you’re being impulsive. You don’t want her to think that, do you?”
Sophie yawned, her playfulness fading as sleep beckoned. “Maybe not tonight. But, Stone, we’re both adults. We can consent to a fling that doesn’t have to be all tied up in your rules of conduct. Life is short. If you find someone that makes you happy, why not explore that happiness while it lasts? It’s not like I’m ever going to forget you’re a bachelor for life and fall in love with you. We could just have fun.”
Her words made him sad. “I—”
“Don’t say no. Just think about it. And in the morning, we can discuss it and another idea I have. Maybe one of my best ideas ever.”
“Good night, princess,” Stone said, smiling as Sophie drifted off to sleep.
He, on the other hand, did not sleep. He laid awake, contemplating the fine line he was walking—between his duty and the unexpected bond forming between them. How much more time could he spend around her without falling? And did he even want to keep from falling?