21. Sophie
CHAPTER 21
SOPHIE
“ S o, what do you think?” I’m holding my breath as I wait for Mia’s reaction.
The idea hit me this morning during a much-needed walk on the beach at sunrise to contemplate my situationship with Luke, which is fast turning into a relationship. I know I should be over the moon, especially after that very public kiss at the game. And the way he handled the mess up with his photo—thinking it through rationally—felt like he was fighting for us.
But I’m afraid to get my hopes up, considering how well I’ve done so far in the romance department in the past.
Yep. Sophie + romance = disaster.
However, whatever this is between Luke and me feels different. More natural and surprisingly easy at times. With the other guys I dated, I tried so hard to make the relationships work. Maybe too hard. Like trying to fit two pieces of a puzzle that didn’t belong together.
But when I’m with Luke, I can be myself—something that seemed to work against me with my previous boyfriends.
Mia faces me, arms crossed. “We’re standing in a parking lot staring at the Turtle Tide and the Sandpiper Inn. What exactly am I supposed to see, Sophie?”
Just before dawn, I headed to the beach with my camera to capture the sherbet colors painting the sky and reflecting in the water. Behind the lens, I can connect with nature and myself, which allows my brain to process whatever I’m struggling with. I figured that would help declutter the Luke-chaos lingering in my head. That’s when I saw two of Sarabella’s most favored places in a whole different light—literally and figuratively.
Standing behind her, I turn her toward the restaurant and the inn. “Two years ago, the owners built that breezeway so that guests could go back and forth without getting soaked during the rainy season.”
She sighs. “Goody for them.”
“But they also used it for their Christmas wedding, which I heard was an event to remember. Just picture it, Mia. You in your Madam Tulard original gown, walking down the breezeway to where Ethan is standing, looking gorgeous in his tux, waiting to make you his wife.” I add a dramatic flourish to my voice.
“But where will the guests sit?”
One of those whining trumpet sounds, signaling an epic fail, would work right about now.
I take a deep breath of salty ocean air. “On either side. The breezeway will be the center aisle, with a big canopy covering both sides. There’s a place in town that rents temporary flooring for beach events and chairs too. Here, Madison sent me some pictures.” I pull out my phone and scroll through them, giving her the full effect of Dominic and Madison’s wedding.
She hums. “I never considered doing an outdoor wedding. Just seemed too risky.”
“Right, but the weather this time of year is nice, and if it does rain, which I’m believing it won’t, you’re still covered. Literally!” I laugh. “And we can wrap the posts in those fairy lights you wanted, but the other venue wouldn’t let you use. See? It’s perfect!”
Mia lets out a sob, then wraps me in a tight hug. “You did it, Soph. And you’re right. It’s even better than the original plan.”
I exhale my relief. “I already talked to Madison and Dominic, and they’re happy to help with whatever we need. And this will make things so much easier for Ethan’s family since most of them are staying at the inn.”
Mia shakes her head. “It’s brilliant. Absolutely brilliant. But what about the caterer? Will that be an issue?”
“No. When I explained to Dominic that we already had a contract for the food, he made a call to the owner. Turns out they’re friends. He’s not only giving them use of the kitchen during your wedding but also offered to help. I let Amanda know the change of venue so she can reconfigure the floral arrangements as needed. She did the flowers for Madison and Dominic’s wedding, too, so she’s already familiar with the layout.”
She shakes her head with an incredulous expression. “I can’t believe how well this is working out.”
I grin. “I call it the magic of Sarabella.”
“More like the magic of Sophie Adams, if you ask me. Don’t cut yourself short, girlfriend.” She shoots me a wicked grin. “Speaking of girlfriends. Are you?”
“Am I what?”
She rolls her eyes. “Do I really have to spell it out? Are you and Luke together now?”
I tug one side of my bottom lip between my teeth. “Maybe? Yes. I mean, no. I mean, I don’t know!”
“How can you not be after what happened at the game?!”
“I know, I know!” I pat my chest with my palms. “But you know my track record. I’m a disaster at relationships.”
“Just because those didn’t work out doesn’t mean you’re a disaster, Soph.”
“I’m zero for three, Mia. What else could it mean? ”
She touches a finger to her mouth. Seems I’m not the only one pulling out the drama today.
“Hmm, let’s see. How about those guys were total jerks?”
I bite my lip. “When I told Luke about them, he said the same thing.”
She claps her hands in excitement. “Oh, I knew I liked him for a reason. He’s right, Sophie. And I think he’s right for you.”
My turn to cross my arms. “Maybe. Or am I just doing what I did before? Even after it was painfully obvious that the relationships were doomed to fail, I continue to try and make things work.”
She waves me off. “That just means you’re loyal.”
“Or stupid. See? Terrible at romance.” I drop my hands to my sides and pout. “I really do want to believe things are different this time.”
“Then let’s make a list of what’s different from those other relationships.”
I groan. “What if I’m grasping at straws?”
“Then I’ll tell you.”
I consider for a moment. “I don’t even know where to begin.”
“Fine. I will. Let’s start with your first kiss through the camera hole.”
“That wasn’t our first kiss,” I blurt out.
She swats my arm. “Why didn’t you tell me he kissed you before that?”
I shrug. “I forgot?”
She rolls her eyes at me again but adds a dramatic sigh to the mix. I think I’ll call her the queen of eye-roll drama from now on. “Okay, then, who initiated the first kiss?”
“Luke did.”
“Have there been any other kisses?”
“Last night, after the game.”
She swats me again.
“Hey! I’m telling you now!” I whine .
“Fine. Who initiated that one?”
“Um…we both did.” Heat rises up my cheeks at the memory.
She looks off into the distance. “Oh, interesting.”
“What? What does that mean? Is that bad?”
She pats my arm as if to undo her earlier slaps. “No, that’s good. I was beginning to think Luke was doing all the work.”
Just as I’m about to get offended, she giggles.
“You’re a rat, you know that.”
She huffs out a laugh. “Soph, it sounds like he’s pursuing you like crazy. This is nothing like those three losers you dated. If you ask me, they did you a favor by bailing before things got too serious.”
She’s right. I think I initiated the first kiss in all three of those relationships. And none of them were out in public for the whole world to see. Luke said he didn’t do that for the crowd. I assumed he meant he did it for him. But what if he did it for me, too? Like staking his claim.
Despite my love for everything romance, I never imagined myself wanting a guy to say she was his, but I’m kind of finding the idea…hot. No one’s ever made me feel as desired or special as Luke does.
And after seeing all those women waiting for him after the game, I’m beginning to think I need to stake my claim on a very sweet, helpful , sexy, and sometimes grumpy hockey player.
I wonder what Luke would think of me then?
Practice is long underway by the time I arrive at the arena, so I head to my office to get prepped for Wade’s interview. As the goalie, he’s the last one I have left to interview, so I won’t need to be here as often. I’ve snapped more than enough shots of all the players for their individual articles .
That means I’ll only see Luke at games…unless we start officially dating. Maybe I should quit holding back and do a little pursuing myself.
The scent of roses alerts me to their presence first. A tall, pale pink vase filled with dusty pink roses dwarfs my small makeshift desk. I pluck out a folded piece of paper nestled between a few of the stems.
Sophie,
I decided to catch a last-minute flight to spend a couple of days with my sister for her birthday. When I get back, I’d like to take you on a date, if that’s okay. I’ll pick you up on Tuesday evening at 7 p.m., if that’s okay.
Can’t wait to see you…
I hope that’s okay too,
Luke
I smile at his references to how I asked him if it was okay when I hugged him. He’s poking fun at me while sounding flirty and affectionate. And I love him for it.
I look up from the note as goose bumps cover me in waves.
Love him for it…
Do I love him?
Ever since that day on the beach, he’s taken constant residence in my thoughts, my dreams, and even my work. I suspected then I was headed here. I might as well just admit it to myself.
I lean over the bouquet and inhale the sweet scent of the roses, then finish reading his note.
P.S. These roses are from my mother’s garden. This one in particular was her favorite, because I bought it for her several years ago. I think she loved pink almost as much as you do.
I take a couple of steps back until I feel the bench behind my calves, then drop down on the seat. The man drove all the way from Clearwater to Sarabella to leave me a pink vase of pink roses from his mother’s treasured rose garden before flying to New York to help Kinsley.
He did all of that…for me.
If I hadn’t already fallen for the man, I most definitely would now.