Epilogue
SOFIA
“I promise we won’t be gone that long.”
Gus gives me the sad puppy-dog eyes he’s perfected. His tail gives a mournful half-wag. Then he flops down dramatically and turns his head away from me.
“Gus,” I plead. “Don’t be mad. It’ll be a few hours. Then we’ll be back. You can watch your puppy TV, play with your toys…”
“Are you bargaining with the dog again?” Nico asks as he walks into the room. He glances at Gus, who casts another sorrowful gaze at him. “Gus, buddy.” Nico comes over and scratches the top of Gus’s head. “Don’t make your mom feel bad for going out for a few hours. You’re going to be fine.”
Gus huffs at him, clearly unconvinced.
“Come on.” Nico extends his hand to me. “We have to go. He’ll be fine.”
I take Nico’s hand. “I know. But when he gives me those sad eyes… I mean, look at him. How can you resist?”
Nico eyeballs Gus. “He is very good at it, isn’t he?”
“Because he knows it works.” Giving Gus one final pat, I leave the kitchen with a slight pang of guilt. Even though I know Gus will be fine on his own, it’s still hard leaving him.
We’ve had Gus, a terrier retriever mix, for just over a month now, and since he was a rescue, we’ve really been trying to keep him company as much as possible.
We take him out around the city to socialize him, over to Knight’s condo to play with his dog, Sampson, and he even comes into work with us at Fox instead, he pulls me in for a hug.
“Sofia,” he says once he releases me. “It’s so good to see you.”
I have to swallow a few times before I trust myself to speak. “It’s really good to see you, too. Thanks so much for coming.”
Brian smiles. “As if I wouldn’t. You invite me here for this big announcement, all expenses paid, no less…” He raises a brow at Nico. “I’m not sure if you’re trying to buy your way into my good graces.”
Nico extends his hand. “No bribery, I promise. I just know how much you mean to Sofia. And flights are expensive these days. Since we’re asking you to come here, it didn’t seem right to ask you to pay, as well.”
Brian gives Nico his patented don’t give me bullshit look. Then he chuckles and shakes Nico’s hand. “I’m just giving you a hard time. Sofia’s told me all about you. And if she says you’re trustworthy, then I believe her.”
Nico’s smile shifts to something more serious. “I will always take care of Sofia. And I’ll never lie to her. She’s the most important person in the world to me.”
Aww.
Nico and Brian exchange a long look. Then Brian gives him an approving nod. “Good. She deserves to be treated like the special person she is.”
My heart melts a little. “Brian.”
“What?” He makes a quick it’s nothing gesture. “I’m just saying the truth.” He stops. “Anyway, I know you guys need to go greet everyone. Make sure everything is running smoothly. I’m going to hit the buffet again. But I’ll talk to you later.”
“He’s a good man,” Nico says once Brian’s back at his table. “I’m glad you have someone like that.”
“He was like a dad to me,” I reply. “Especially when I was younger. I know he has his own family. But he treated me like family, too.”
Pain darkens Nico’s gaze. But he quickly hides it. “I’m glad. And he’s always welcome to come for a visit. We can put him up here, or at a hotel… Or we could buy a place in Florida, if you like. A nice vacation spot on the beach.” He pauses before adding thoughtfully, “Or maybe an island nearby.”