A knock sounds on the bedroom door, saving me from jumping into the drama of my slow demise.
Wade strides over to open it, revealing Sophie standing there.
She blinks at him before refocusing on me. “Is everything okay? We heard crying.”
This time, I groan audibly and flop back on the bed. It’s bad enough having to tell Wade the entire story, but to share my dirty laundry with his friends, too? No, thank you.
He swivels his head between Sophie and me as if he’s at a loss on what to do. “I think she’s okay.”
Okay? Hardly. I’m a walking and barely talking dumpster fire blazing out of control. Hot and stinky. That’s me. Just call meblazy-girl.
Wiping my face, I sit up. “I’m fine now. Just worn out from moving and starting a new job. Really. It’s nothing.”
Wade shoots me an ironic look that makes it clear he sees right through me, as usual.
Sophie pushes past him, sits on the bed next to me, and pulls my left hand into her lap. “It’s okay if you’re not fine, Bree. I know we only recently met, but I’m happy to listen anytime.”
I give her a watery smile. “I’m fine now. Just needed a good cry.” I wipe away a lingering tear. “I’m sorry I ruined the evening.”
Sophie shakes her head and smiles. “You didn’t.”
She’s a better faker than I am. “But we didn’t even order the pizza yet.”
Sophie laughs. “We ate so many of your cookies and the snacks Mathéo brought that no one was hungry anymore.” She raises her hands. “See? Not a disaster at all.”
Wade leans out the doorway, then bobs back in. “Did everyone leave?”
“We figured you needed some privacy. But I wanted to check on you both before Luke and I left.” She sends a pointed stare at Wade, her tone stern. “And you’re okay, right?”
A blush runs up Wade’s neck to his cheeks. “All good here.”
Sophie faces me, smiling as she pats my hand. “Good. We’re having a girls’ night out tomorrow evening at the Turtle Tide after work. You’ll come, won’t you, Bree?”
How can I resist this woman, who seems to know exactly what I need without saying a word? “I wouldn’t miss it.”
“Great.” She stands and walks toward Wade. “Luke said you two had plans to hang out, too, so this works out perfectly.”
“We do?” He looks like he did on the first day of high school after finding out that someone had accidentally changed his PE elective from weight training to interpretive dance. I tried to talk him into keeping it, telling him that it would help his moves on the ice, but he refused to believe me.
Sophie pats his arm like a mother hen. “You must have forgotten.”
I think I’m in awe of Sophie now. She’s this sweet, pink, petite bombshell on the exterior and a fierce mama bear on the inside. Her future children will be the luckiest kids in town.
In the bedroom doorway, she glances over her shoulder and waves. “See you tomorrow, Bree.”
As I return her wave, I realize I’m smiling. Sure, there are things I need to say to Wade, but I’ll tell him the rest when I’m ready.
Wade follows her into the main living area while I stay put on the bed. Muffled voices filter in, then the sound of the front door closing.
I jump up from the bed and start to shut the bedroom door.
Wade splays his big hand on the upper part to stop me. “We still need to talk.”
As his broad shoulders fill the doorway, I take in the sharp angle of his jaw, his wavy auburn hair, and the intense look in his eyes. I know he’s just trying to look out for me. “I’m not ready to talk about it, Wade. Not yet.”
He scratches the side of his short beard. “Fine. I’m sorry. I should have waited until later.” He lets out a long breath. “I guess I let my emotions get the best of me.”
I glance toward the bathroom. “Need anything in there before I go to bed?”
