Chapter 8
Sophie
“Sophie, I just don’t understand why you won’t give us a try.”
I moved faster and rolled my eyes as Lincoln trailed me to my car. He annoyed the hell out of me and knowing my father wanted me to marry this asshole annoyed me even more.
I pressed the button to unlock the doors of my baby. It made me think of Trooper, which brought a smile to my face as I tossed my things inside.
“See, you’re smiling, so you must be considering it,” Lincoln said as he pressed his body against mine and circled my waist with his arms. His lips grazed my neck as he sniffed my skin.
“You smell good, Sophie. But you always do. I miss that.”
Feeling uncomfortable with him that close to me, I shrugged him off. “Lincoln, I know you think this will work, but it won’t. We’re just too different.”
And I’m in love with a real man, not a suit who thinks his money is a qualifier to treat people like accessories, me included.
“Your father thinks it will work and you did too before you became CEO. You’re losing yourself to this company, Sophie. What man wants a woman who works more than him?” And there he is. “How will you be able to raise our children working sixty hours a week?”
“Our children? That’s laughable,” I snapped.
“You know what I mean, Sophie. Don’t you want to be a wife and mother one day?
Even if not right now, soon. I know your career is important to you, but you can’t have it all.
You’re successful. You proved that, what more do you want?
You can’t do this forever. Your father allowed you to be CEO, so… ”
“Allowed me?” I glared at him. “He didn’t allow me shit. I earned it, and for you to even say that lets me know that this,”—I pointed between me and him—“will not work. I don’t care what my father thinks.”
“So you’re cussing me now? That’s not attractive, Sophie. You do a man’s job and you’re acting like one now. That’s not what I meant. I know you earned it but your father owns the company.”
I laughed arrogantly then peered at him. “I have to find my dress for Friday. Enjoy your evening, Lincoln.”
“So you’re just going to leave like that? And what about Friday? At least let me escort you. We both have to be there anyway, so we may as well go together.”
“No thanks. I already have a date.”
“A date? Who?” he questioned, looking surprised.
“It’s not important. You’ll see on Friday. I suggest you find one though,” I lied.
Trooper still hadn’t confirmed, but as of right now, I would do whatever necessary to get him to agree. There was no way I would show up alone.
I climbed into my truck and backed out as Lincoln stood watching. He was pissed and I didn’t care. I just hoped Trooper wouldn’t let me down. That was the tricky part. I needed him Friday and this would tell me just how important I was to him.
“Sophie, this is perfect.” Maddie held up a strapless, floor length gown I had to admit was absolutely perfect.
“It is. I have to have that.” I reached for the dress and she pulled it back.
“Hold up, chica. Maybe I want it for myself.” Maddie looked at me like I was crazy.
“For what? You’re not going Friday and I need that dress.”
“Exactly. I’m not going Friday,” she pouted.
“Maddie, seriously.” I just now realized what the issue was. Not once had I offered her a ticket or even mentioned she could go. She was usually at all of my father’s events, but since she and her husband had split, I just didn’t even think about it.
“Yes, seriously. I know he’ll be there, but that doesn’t mean I don’t want to go too.”
“Oh, boo. You are more than welcome to go. I just really didn’t think you would want to.”
“Well, I do. Those are our friends, not just his, and I’m close to your family. I can’t just crawl into a hole because we’re not together anymore. The divorce isn’t even final and yet he’s pretty much stolen my life.”
“No, he hasn’t. You can go. In fact, if you give me that dress, you can go with me and Trooper.” I offered a devious smile and she sucked her teeth.
“Sophie, please. I don’t want to be a third wheel.” She peered at me as if I had insulted her.
“Oh, wait. You can go with Carlos. He’s hot, Maddie. A little on the pretty side, but he’s super sexy. Maybe if he goes, Trooper will feel more comfortable since he won’t be alone.”
“I don’t want a pity date and I don’t appreciate you using me to get your man to agree to go.”
“I’m not, but you want to go. You need a date because there’s no way you should show up alone and let Richard think your life began and ended with him. So it’s a win-win. I’ll call him now and see.” I pulled my phone out and Maddie watched me.
“So, is he like too pretty to take serious or just super cute pretty?” Maddie quizzed while I dialed Trooper.
“Definitely not too pretty. He’s just really easy on the eyes and has a sexy body.”
“Yo, you better be talking about me, Sophie, ’cause if not, we’re gonna have a conversation later,” Trooper barked through the phone after he heard me explaining Carlos’s looks to Maddie.
“I’m describing Carlos to Maddie.”
“Why the hell are you describing my boy to your friend? And all you need to say is he’s handsome. Let me find out you checking my boy out, Sophie.”
I grinned at the jealous tone in his voice. “Not like that. You’re the only one I check out like that.”
“Better be, but what’s up, though?”
“I was getting my dress for Friday and I was thinking.” I paused for a sec and glanced at Maddie who stared at me intently. “Maybe Carlos could take Maddie, that way you wouldn’t have to be there alone. I know these things can be kind of boring.”
“Hold on,” Trooper said, then the line got quiet.
“Why are you frowning? What did he say?” Maddie whispered.
“He told me to hold on.”
“Ay, he said what she look like?”
I smiled hard. Maddie was beautiful. Much better looking than the women he had been lusting over at Trooper’s party. “I don’t have ugly friends, Trooper.”
He laughed. “Aight, bet. He said send a picture, but he’s going.”
“Just for you, Sophie, so she better not be ugly or have a fucked up personality,” I heard Carlos yell in the background
“Tell him I said thank you and she’s not. I got him covered,” I said.
“Ay, but let me go, we’re in the middle of something. I’ll see you tonight, right?”
“Yes, my place.” I beamed.
“Aight, cool.”
“Sooooooo?” Maddie asked.
I didn’t respond right away. Instead, I scrolled through my pictures, found one of Maddie, and sent it to Trooper.
“He said he’ll go and you better not be ugly or have an ugly personality. Now, can I have that dress, please?”
“No, I need it.” Maddie snatched it back as I reached for it.
“Uh, that wasn’t the deal. Give me the dress.” I lunged her way and grabbed it.
“I guess you earned it,”—she said, rolling her eyes—“and he better not be ugly or have a messed up personality either,” she retorted.
“I wouldn’t do that to you, trust me,” I said, then glanced at my phone with a smile.
“What?” she frowned.
“He said you’re cute. A little too skinny, but he can help you out with that.” I smirked.
“Oh my god. Definitely not a good start.”
“Well, if birds of a feather flock together, I suggest you don’t count it out. I can surely testify it might be worth your while.”
“Sophie!” Maddie yelled with a grin then looked around. “No wonder you’re smiling so hard these days.”
I shrugged, thinking about the way Trooper had mastered the art of all things Sophie. Not that I was in love with the thought, but I truly understood why women flipped out when he entertained someone other than them.
“Sophie, hey,” a voice called from behind me and I turned to see a smiling Nadia.
“Hey, how are you?” I returned as she approached and hugged me.
“I’m good, how are you?”
“I can’t complain. This is my best friend Maddie. Maddie, this is Nadia. We met at Trooper’s party.”
“Hey.” Maddie smiled and extended a hand which Nadia accepted.
“Oh my, that dress is gorgeous,” she announced, checking out the dress now draped over my arm.
“Thank you. I’m about to go try it on now,” I said, cutting a quick glance at Maddie.
“It’s going to be perfect. What’s the occasion?”
“Family event, my father’s hosting a black-tie formal for some of his clients on Friday.”
“Friday?” She frowned a little. “A friend of mine is going to one on Friday also. Maybe it’s the same. Prescott?”
“Yes, that’s my father.” I smiled politely.
“Oh okay, well maybe you’ll see her there.” I noticed a bit of tension in her posture as she spoke.
“Maybe. Well, it was nice seeing you. I have to try this on,” I said.
“Same here. Take care, Sophie.”
“That was kind of weird,” Maddie said as we walked toward the dressing room.
“Weird how?” I questioned.
“I don’t know, like she had a secret or something.” Maddie shrugged.
“Maybe. Her friend Ray didn’t seem thrilled about me when we met at Trooper’s party. Maybe she knows I’m going with Trooper. Who cares? I’m going to try this on.”
“Yeah, my perfect dress,” Maddie pouted.
I laughed. “We’ll find you one right after I try this on. Now let’s go.”
I grabbed her hand and pulled her with me. At this point, nothing mattered other than looking amazing. Trooper had agreed to go and now Carlos was taking Maddie. The night would be perfect. I was sure of that.