25. Sophie
CHAPTER 25
SOPHIE
G etting Mia’s SOS text wasn’t on my agenda today. But when a friend says they need you to talk them down from a ledge—a metaphorical one in this case, thank goodness—you drop everything and show up for them.
Mia hasn’t stopped pacing since I arrived, and all I know so far is that Ethan’s brother’s company isn’t playing nice. A last-minute project complication kept him from catching his flight.
I reach out and rest my hand on her arm, bringing her to a stop. “The good news is there’s still time. He’d planned to come early so he and his wife could have a vacation too, right?”
She nods, then pulls away, continuing to make a discernible path in the carpet. “It seems…I mean…what if…I can’t help wondering…”
“Mia, just spit it out.”
Eyes wide, she faces me, hands out in front of her. “First, the venue and now this? What if the universe is trying to keep us from making a mistake?”
I was NOT expecting that. Jumping to my feet, I wrap her in a big hug I hope will settle her nerves. “You’re simply experiencing some pre-wedding jitters, that’s all. No wedding goes off without some kind of complication. None that I know of, anyway.”
“If you say so.” She sounds more like a four-year-old.
I place my hands on her shoulders and lean back. “You and Ethan are one of the most adorable couples I’ve ever seen. I’ve never once doubted whether you should be together. I’m surprised you didn’t get married sooner, to be honest.”
“Really?” Her expression lifts with hope.
“Yeah…really. Remember how you two connected that day at the arena? Ethan kept skating over to talk to you in between drills. He even got in trouble with the coach.”
She lets out a soft giggle. “He was pretty annoying.”
I snort. “You loved every minute of it.”
“I did. I just didn’t want him to know it.” The almost devious sound in her voice is somewhat shocking and very entertaining.
“You little minx, you.”
She gives me an evil grin. “A girl needs her secrets.”
“If you say so.” I giggle.
“Speaking of which. When are you going to share Luke with the rest of us. You two are dating now, right?”
“It’s all so new. And he’s out of town for a game. But I did invite him as my date to the wedding.”
“Ethan already invited him.”
“I know, but now he’s my plus one too.” I can’t help the smile spreading across my face as I think about him. Our walk around the arena felt like a first date, with lots of kissing. My cheeks blaze when I remember how thoroughly Luke kissed me.
And, unfortunately, Mia notices. Her eyes widen, and she points at me. “You’ve already fallen for him, haven’t you?”
I grin and bob my head up and down. Mia squeals, grabs my arms, and jumps up and down, taking me with her. We collapse on her couch like a couple of silly high school girls.
“How does he feel about you?”
I poke at a loose thread on the cushion. “We haven’t declared our feelings, per se. But I’m pretty sure he feels the same. He seems to anyway.”
Mia pulls her legs up under her and faces me. “You did it, Soph. You found the right guy.”
I shrug. “I’d like to think so.”
She frowns at me. “Why aren’t you more excited?”
If I say it, will it make the very thing I’m afraid of happening happen? That as soon as I show Luke I’m crazy about him, he’ll drop me alike a hot potato? I want to find my person more than anything. Well, aside from getting my column. But what if I’m wrong again?
“I hope Luke is the…” I tip my head to the side. “You know...”
“The one,” she finishes for me.
I lower my voice in case that romance curse is listening. “Yes, but I’m still not sure.”
“Why? You just said you hope he’s the one.” Her tone tells me she’s on the verge of losing patience with me.
“Technically, I didn’t.”
She throws herself back on the couch with a growl.
“I’m not sure how Luke feels about us. You know me, Mia. I go all in. And then I get my heart ripped out because I thought the guy was as into me as I was him. But then it turns out he’s not and then it gets all weird, and he either dumps or ghosts me.” I let out a noisy breath.
Mia grabs my hands. “Soph, those guys didn’t deserve you. They may have tried to be worthy of you, but they totally missed the mark. And based upon what you’ve told so far, Luke is crazy about you, so stop doubting him.”
You know you have the best-of-the-best of friends when they hear your verbal vomit and don’t judge you for it. Or better yet, they wholeheartedly support you and say they’re on your side.
Tears of the past sting my eyes as I throw my arms around her. “I love you, you know that?”
Now Mia is crying. “I love you too. You’re the best friend a girl could ever have.”
“No, you are.” I sob.
“Sophie, what did you do to my bride-to-be?” Somehow, we missed hearing Ethan walk into Mia’s apartment.
Wiping my face, I sit back on the couch while Mia launches herself into his arms.
“I love you, Ethan. And I always will. I will never doubt us again.” She bawls into his neck.
Ethan shoots me a questioning glance, and his brows are positioned in full alarm mode.
I shake my head and wave my hand in front of me, reassuring him there’s nothing to worry about.
Ethan rewards me with an appreciative smile, then kisses Mia’s temple and whispers something in her ear. Next thing I know, they’re making out as if they haven’t seen each other in months. The sooner these two get married, the better.
I grab my purse and jump up from the couch. “Okay, I’m leaving. Mia, text me when they reschedule their flight so I can pick them up.”
Without missing a beat—or kiss—she waves and gives me a thumbs up.
I make my escape before I witness anything else, but I gotta say I’m a little green at the moment.
For once, despite my miserable romance record, I’m hopeful.
Maybe Luke is the one for me.
It’s finally here. Not the wedding, but the rehearsal dinner. So maybe instead I should say it’s almost wedding time. And after the whole venue hiccup and the best man almost missing— thank goodness Ethan’s brother caught a later flight—I’m ready to find a proverbial cloud to float on.
And this pink dress with tiny white rose polka dots is going a long way to get me there. When I first laid eyes on it at the Pink Hibiscus—another exceptional Sarabella shop I can’t wait to feature in my future column—I knew it was perfect.
I’m excited to show it off for Luke, even though it’s not technically a date date. So far, all of our dates have been more like happenstance. I want a real first date with Luke that’s planned and just about us. No bus rides, hockey games, rehearsal dinners, or weddings. Once this weekend is over and the dust settles, we can finally focus on us because I think I may have finally broken my romance curse.
I check my bag to make sure I have all my camera equipment and then some, since I promised Mia I would take plenty of pictures of tonight. She hired a great photographer for the wedding, but tonight is my gift to her.
That’s just one aspect of my duties tonight, along with making sure the bride doesn’t have a meltdown and the groom doesn’t flake out. Not that Ethan would, but weddings have a way of making people do—and say—crazy things.
My fingers brush over gift I brought for Luke. A framed picture of him hugging Kinsley after the game she attended before going back to New York. When I went through the images later that day, saw the image, I knew I had to get a print made. I think I’m more excited about giving it to him than the wedding. Definitely not going to mention that to Mia.
But the true heart squeeze came when I viewed the pictures Kinsley took of Luke and me. The look in his eyes melted me into a puddle. I revisit these often, then pinch myself to make sure it’s real.
As soon as I arrive at the Turtle Tide, I get busy hanging the photo garland I created from shots I stole of them when they weren’t looking and images their families provided on the sly. The series of pictures shows their love story. I can’t wait to see Mia’s reaction when she sees it because she loves these kinds of things.
A gasp from behind whirls me around. Mia stands there, her tear-filled eyes taking in the garland swagged over the seats where she and Ethan will sit for the dinner.
“Soph, I…I…” She waves her hands in front of her face. “Oh, mascara!”
I nab one of the drink napkins from a nearby table and hand it to her. “Do you like it?”
She holds the napkin under her eyes to catch her tears. “Are you kidding? It’s so beautiful.”
With a sob, she throws her arms around me, all concern about her mascara tossed aside. I pat her back, thinking about the mascara stains I left on Luke’s shirt and worrying about my new pink polka dot dress. But what can I do? Something else must be happening because she’s still sobbing.
I pull away enough to see her face. “Mia, what’s going on?”
She dabs her eyes with what’s left of the cocktail napkin. “I’m just so happy.”
I lean to the side so I can get a look at her downturned face. “Are you sure that’s all it is?”
She bobs her head. “Yes. No.” She sniffs, then looks as if she’s about to wail. “I got my period!”
“Oh, sweetie. I’m so sorry.” Which I am. Not a fun way to start a honeymoon, but I’m relieved it’s not cold feet or something worse, like a groom gone rogue. “Let’s get you cleaned up, okay? Some cool water on those eyes will do the trick. And I brought my makeup bag, just in case.”
Ethan gives me a concerned look as we walk past. Once again, I do my best using facial expressions and hand signals to reassure him everything is fine as I grab my case and lead Mia to the restroom. If this is our only hiccup for the evening, I will consider the night a win.
Once we’re in the bathroom, Mia makes a beeline for the mirrors and is on the verge of another emotional breakdown when she sees raccoon eyes staring back at her. “Why do I have to be allergic to waterproof mascara?”
“It’s okay.” I pull her hair away from her face. “Just cup the water to your face and we’ll redo your makeup.”
My phone chimes, alerting me to a text message. Luke said he would meet me here after he was done with practice since the dinner was planned to be early to accommodate Mia’s grandparents, who go to bed at seven every night. I know the timing’s tight, so I hope his text says he’s on the way.
Once Mia’s face is dry, I let go of her hair and bring out my makeup case, mentally thanking my gut for the nudge to include it and check my phone.
Only it wasn’t Luke, who texted me. His sister did.
KINSLEY: I need your help.