Sophie leaps off the couch and tackles him in a hug. I can’t stop smiling—it’s so good to see them together.
“Hey, kiddo. I know it’s been a tough year. I just wantedto get you something you’d really enjoy.” He fixes his gaze on me. “And maybe you can keep in touch with it? I’ll give you my email address. Let me know when you and your mum need anything.”
“It’s the best. Thank you.” She pecks him on the cheek again and heads back to the couch where she starts unboxing it all.
“I should tell you off.”
He shrugs. “Maybe, but I know how much you love her and how much she’ll benefit from this.” Leaning closer, he drops his voice to just above a whisper. “It’s not just Sophie I want to keep in touch with. I’m not above sexting with you.”
I clap my hand over my mouth and let out a squeak as I suppress a laugh. “Stop it.”
“It’s good to see you laughing.”
“You shouldn’t be flirting with me.”
“If it brings a smile to your face, I’m going to keep on doing it.”
“You can flirt with me if you want.” Lauren walks in from the kitchen and shoots him a wink.
Patrick chuckles.
I roll my eyes.
Five thirteen and fourteen-year-old girls for the night—all camped out in the living room. It’s going to be a long weekend.
Patrick steals the show.
From the moment they arrive, he’s the centre of attention much to Sophie’s delight and his obvious discomfort.
The good-looking boy turned into a very handsome man.
“Help,”he mouths at me, surrounded by the girls all gushing over Sophie’s new iPad.
“Girls, the food is ready. Come and help yourselves.”
“Thank you,” he murmurs.
“Wouldn’t want you getting all that attention.” I nudge his ribs with my elbow.
He laughs. “Hey. Once upon a time that might have been right, but they are far too young for me. I’m old enough to be their father.”
My throat tightens. “Yeah, I guess you are.”
He nudges me back. “Not that you look any older than you did in school.”
I bark out a laugh. “Liar.”
Leaning closer, he murmurs in my ear, “Still beautiful.”
My heart thuds so loud, I barely hear the commotion at the table at first.
Sophie—my beautiful Sophie—has a slice of pizza in her hand.
“All I’m saying is that you don’t want to eat too much of that, or you’ll end up like your mother.” Jessica smirks.
I’ve always suspected that kid had a mean streak. She hides it well, but the odd comments here and there have added up since Sophie started high school.
What the hell?
