Just surprised, I guess. One of them once asked, mid-laugh, "What kind of workouts do you do to have such a tiny waist?"
I didn’t know what to say. I just shrugged, pretend to laugh along, my eyes darting anywhere but her face.
It’s not like I hate it. But it sticks. The awkwardness of not fitting the image people expect. Or feeling like I have to explain something I didn’t even do on purpose.
I pull a loose white t-shirt over my head and zip up my bag. Slinging it over my shoulder, I take one last glance at myself in the mirror. I look fine. Sophia likes the way I look. That’s what matters.
As I walk toward the door, Daisy appears in the hallway, holding her coffee. "Where are you off to?" she asks, one eyebrow arched.
I smile a little. "Beach. I’m meeting Sophia."
She lights up in that overly curious way she always does when I mention her. "So, when do we finally get to meet this mysterious girlfriend of yours?"
I hesitate. The words come back to me. Sophia saying she’s not ready to meet my family. That she doesn’t want the pressure.
That it’s too soon. I remember nodding and saying "Okay," even though it stings. But today feels different.
She reached out. Said she misses me.
So I smile again, confident this time. "Don’t be impatient. You’ll meet her soon."
"Dude, she better be real. Starting to feel like you made her up."
I laugh, shake my head, and push the door open. "You’ll see."
Outside, the sun hits my face instantly.
Almostenough to melt the frustration still lingering from Gio. I take a deep breath, pull my phone from my pocket, and send Sophia a message.
ME:
-Just left. Where are you?
Then I keep walking.
Toward the sea. My palms are sweating. I’m not messing this up again. No overthinking, no stupid napkin-origami gestures, no oversharing.
I’m going to be normal and stable. Romantic but not pathetic.
A functioning boyfriend. I turn the corner.
She’s already waiting for me. Wow. Standing by the water. She’s wearing a black swimsuit, simple, classic.
She looks happy. And honestly? I feel stupid.
She’s here acting all sweet and excited to see me, and I spent the entire morning convincing myself she’s not some kind of phone-stealing, Gio-sexting supervillain.
I stop walking for a second. I haven’t seen her like this in a long time. So carefree. So light. And I feel it, that flutter I got when we first met. I didn’t realize how much I missed that.
I start walking again. I want this to be easy. I need it to be. She turns, her eyes locking on mine.
"Hey," I start to say, but she doesn’t let me finish. She steps forward and kisses me.
Right there. With zero hesitation.
Her lips are soft, and for a second I just stand there, caught off guard. Then I gently pull back.
My hand finds hers. "Wait," I say softly, smiling. "Let’s drop our stuff first. Come in the water with me. Then I’ll give you all the attention you want."
