Pure joy shot through him at the sight of Sophia strutting toward lane four. In reality, she probably wasn’t strutting, but the way her body was moving was definitely a sashay.
Figure-hugging jeans and a navy-colored long-sleeved tee lent her a casual vibe. She was ready to bowl and hang out with them. He couldn’t be any happier.
Caleb knew he was grinning wildly at the sight of her.Keep cool, he reminded himself, knowing his brothers would laugh their butts off if he took a page from Xavier’s playbook and got handsy with Sophia. In his heart of hearts Caleb wanted to walk over and plant a big, fat kiss on herlips, but he wasn’t sure they were at that stage of public acts of affection.
What was going on with him? Hadn’t he just teased Xavier about his smooch session with True? Okay. He knew what this was. Endorphins. He was being inundated with a rush of feelings that took him back to when he’d fallen for Abby. Was that what this was? Was he falling in love with Sophia? The thought made him feel as if he were gasping for air.
“Sophia. What are you doing here?” he asked, walking to meet her halfway.
“Am I not supposed to be here?” she asked, stopping in her tracks, then making a pivoting motion as if turning around to leave.
“No,” he said quickly, reaching out and gently grasping her by the arm. “I’m just surprised.”
“True invited me. Hope that’s okay.” For a moment she appeared uncertain, looking around the bowling alley.
“It’s more than okay. It’s a happy surprise,” he said, smiling down at her. He leaned down and whispered, “Matter of fact, you made my week by showing up.”
Sophia grinned back at him. “Now that’s what I want to hear.”
“Where’s the princess?” Caleb knew getting coverage for Lily wasn’t always easy, so he was really stoked she’d made it out tonight.
“At the moment Lily is being spoiled by Aunt Patience. Tonight they’ll be painting their nails and having pizza.”
“We’re not painting any nails, but I can promise you pizza,” Caleb said.
“The way to a girl’s heart is definitely through pizza,” Sophia said, walking beside him as they headed toward the group. Xavier and Landon greeted her with enthusiasm.His brothers sent him loaded glances behind Sophia’s back, driving the point home that they were still stuck in elementary school.
True immediately gave Sophia a hug, and the two began to chat in animated fashion. Caleb loved the graceful slope of Sophia’s neck and her genuine, oversize grin.
“The two of you look good together,” Xavier said in a low voice.
Caleb let out a throaty laugh. “Sophia would look good no matter who she’s standing with, but the two of us together…” Caleb let out a low whistle. “We’re a smoke show.”
Landon shook his head. “You’re too much. Like, seriously. Way too much.”
True clapped her hands together. “Let’s divvy up into teams. Girls against guys.”
“We’re not an even number,” Landon pointed out.
“We are now,” True said triumphantly as Jaylen walked over to the group.
“Not fair,” Xavier shouted, waving his arms around.
“What’s the matter?” Jaylen asked. “I’m just a kid.”
Xavier looked around the group with his mouth hanging open. “Are you kidding me? Does no one else have a problem with this? He’s a ringer,” Xavier explained, his eyes wide. “I smell a setup.”
True went over to her fiancé and planted a kiss on his lips. “It’s going to be okay, Xavier. Stop being so competitive. This isn’t the Super Bowl or anything.”
Jaylen held his hands up. “Just a little friendly competition. Don’t sweat it, Coach. Isn’t that what you always tell us on the field?”
Xavier sputtered. “Jaylen is an amazing bowler. How about we swap him for Landon?” he asked, pointing at his baby brother.
Caleb let out a hoot of laughter at the outraged expression on Landon’s face.
“Hey,” Landon protested. “That’s pretty foul of you. I have decent bowling skills.”
“Not like the kid’s,” Xavier muttered. He turned to True. “Let’s just get the ball rolling.”
