Chaz, adding seasoning to a pot on the stove, is firmly in the Team Prince camp. “He writes his own music, commands thestage with electrifying performances, and does it all in six-inch heels.”
“So does my queen,” Sophia shoots back with a sassy snap of her fingers.
“But can she play over twenty instruments?” he challenges like it’s a mic drop.
“Is it safe to enter the line of fire?” I interject, stepping into the room.
“Lexie!” Sophia lights up, pushing off the counter and tugging me over. “You can settle it. Beyoncé or Prince?”
“Uh-uh.” Setting the wine down, I raise my hands in diplomatic surrender. “I’m not weighing in on this. They’re both exceptional.”
“Smart woman,” Chaz says. He leaves the stove, where something delicious is simmering, and pulls me into his arms. He kisses me soundly, tasting a little spicy. He looks so good in a black Henley—my personal favorite—I could eat him up.
“Missed you,” he murmurs.
“Missed you too.”
We grin at each other like love-struck fools.
“Oh my gosh, you two are so adorable; it’s sickening,” Sophia groans.
We laugh, but our gazes stay locked until she points out that his pot is bubbling over.
“Shit!” Chaz darts back to the stove and rescues the chili.
A short while later, we’re gathered around the kitchen table with steaming bowls, hunks of bread, and glasses of wine. The conversation is light and easy. Sophia is more animated than the last time I saw her. She’s healing slowly but surely.
When our bowls are empty, she puts her spoon down, glancing between us with something clearly on her mind.
“Chloe’s roommate is moving out next month, and she’s given me first dibs—if I want it.”
Chaz pauses, the glass of wine halfway to his mouth.
“I know that probably concerns you on multiple levels,” she says, speaking directly to her brother. “But Chloe and I are just friends. It’s strictly platonic. We’ve set boundaries, and it’s cool. Plus, I’d rather live with someone I know and trust than risk some rando roommate who could be a serial killer.”
“This sounds like when you maxed out the Apple account on game gems and said, ‘At least it’s not drugs,’” he replies, deadpan.
She grins sheepishly. “You have to admit, the extremes strengthen the point.”
Chaz makes a noncommittal sound, but his features remain tense.
“C, I want to be in Chicago,” she continues with unwavering resolve. “That’s where the opportunities are. Advertising is what I’ve always wanted, and I’m not going to let what happened stop me from going for it.”
His gaze flickers to me, searching. I slide my hand under the table, resting it on his thigh—a silent reassurance that he already knows the right answer. He places his hand over mine as if to steady himself. Then he looks back at his little sister.
“You’ve worked hard for this, Soph. No one should take that away from you—not Marshall and not me. Go take Chicago by storm.”
“Really?!” She jumps up and throws her arms around him. “I thought you’d be a much harder sell.”
“Mellowing with age.”
“More like the Lexie factor chilling you out.” She grins at me with those Delgado dimples. “You’re good for him.”
“He’s good for me, too. Congrats, Sophia. I’m so excited for you.”
“Eee! Me too.”
She’s all abuzz while we clean up the kitchen, practically bouncing off the walls. “I can’t wait to tell Chloe.”
