The town accepted him instantly, offering help and company when he wanted anything but that. He quickly became a member of the town. Even though he fought it, he lost.
Now here he is married, with two grown children and his first grandchild born less than a year ago.
“I got it, boy.” He waves me off as he sits another box down and starts to dig the contents out, placing the items on the shelves. “Naomi is in Mobile until Sunday seeing our grandbaby. I got nowhere to be but here.”
I don’t know what I would do without him, but he doesn’t take well to me reminding him of how great he’s been through this all. So instead I simply offer him a nod and slip out the back door.
Glancing at my watch, I realize I need to get moving if I want to catch Sophie on her break.
I’ve been using the girls for information, because I get the feeling Sophie has been giving me the brush-off. Offering to take her to dinner, lunch, or even for a stroll through Montgomery, she’s come up with a reason why none of those things will work for her.
I’ve been informed that on Thursday afternoons she gets out of class at noon and has an hour and a half before she has to return for her second class of the day. Adley practically drew me a map of the campus, the exact place that Sophie usually sits and reads while eating lunch.
Driving a little over the speed limit to make up for lost time, I pull into the first parking space I find with five minutes to spare.
Reaching around the seat I grab the small bag I’d stopped to pick up along the way and climb out. Tucking my phone in my back pocket, I close and lock the door and start walking toward the arched pillars.
Apparently just beyond those I turn left and walk down a narrow path that leads to a clearing. I take in the sights, watching for all the details Adley had listed and just as she said, I find a large tree with a few picnic tables beneath it.
Picking the one that is a little further away from the others, I sit down and lean back, waiting for her to emerge from the direction I’d just come from.
The minutes tick and I start to think, maybe today she decided to do something different. Then I see her, her brown hair piled on top of her head, glasses on, and a book bag over her shoulders. She walks toward me, with her head down as she thumbs through her phone. I watch and wait for her to notice me, and when she is only a few feet away, she looks up and practically stumbles into my lap. Her feet shuffle, her lips part, and her eyes grow wide.
“What are…uh…” She looks behind her and then back to me. “I didn’t…” She worries her hands before her and seems nervous.
“Thought I’d meet you for lunch,” I say, trying not to laugh.
“Sophie.” Her name echoes between the buildings and she spins around as a girl and three guys start walking in our direction.
“Friends of yours?” I ask, taking each of them in. More so the guys than the girls, they continue to walk toward her and she shifts her weight from one leg to the other.
“Classmates,” Sophie says as she glances back at me just as they reach us. I sense the taller of the men is interested in more than being a classmate as he looks over her slowly and smiles.
“Who’s this?” the short redhead asks, peeking around Sophie, and I stand, stepping in closer.
“Yeah, Soph,” I say, placing my hand on her hip from behind. “Who am I?” I say near her ear and notice the shiver that rolls through her.
I look up just as the same guy crosses his arms over his chest and instantly I realize he’s an arrogant prick like Ryan. Another dick seeking out the girl he feels he can use, and I make it a point to end this lunch with him realizing Sophie isn’t that girl for him.
“Finn,” Sophie says, more of a squeak but it’s almost like she is frozen in place. “He uh, we are…” Again she stumbles over her words and I decide to clear things up myself.
“I’m her boyfriend.” She swivels and looks at me with her brows furrowed. I lean in kiss her cheek and smile. “Thought I’d surprise her with lunch.”
“Awe that is so sweet,” the girl says. Sophie is still staring at me, I am sure trying to figure out what to say. “We’ll let you two have some time together, maybe you can join us at Russell’s next week?”
Sophie nods and forces a smile and she offers them a wave. I watch as they walk away and keep my hold on her as the guy keeps looking back until they disappear around the building.
“Boyfriend?” She narrows her eyes at me and steps back.
“Who’s the tall guy?” I ignore her question and ask my own.
“What tall guy?” she asks and it’s my turn to arch my brow in question. “Phillip.” She waves her hand and I continue to hold her stare waiting for more. “He’s asked me out a few times and I’ve declined. He’s just some guy I’ve met a time or two in passing.”
I nod, still watching her.
“Will you stop staring at me like that.” I think it is incredibly adorable how she has these little tantrums like a toddler would.The only thing missing is the stomping of her feet and the high screaming. She has the throwing of her hands down to a T.
“Staring at you like what?” I ask, knowing it will only trigger her to react.
