Finn
“What are we doing here?”Sophie asks as I turn onto my parents’ road.
“I was an ass to you the last time you were here.”
“We’ve already settled that.” I can tell she feels nervous as I slow to a stop next to my mother’s car. “So when you asked me to go for a drive you knew you were bringing me here?”
“I told my mom that you and I had started seeing each other and that it was new. She pretty much kicked me out of their house and told me to fix it. I think my ma is a little in love with you.”
Sophie laughs. “She did not kick you out.”
“Oh yeah, she did.” I smile. “Shut the door and even spin the lock too.”
“I should admit that I love her too, she is so much fun.”
Putting my Tahoe in park, I cut the engine and turn to face Sophie. “I never meant to make you feel uncomfortable about coming here. I think the knowing that I’d been doing this all wrong with you and that without me my parents were getting to know you was what hit so hard. It should have been me introducing you to them, so this is me bringing home the woman I want my parents to know.”
Sophie holds my stare and I reach out, taking her hand in mine and lifting them to my lips. Kissing the inside of her wrist I watch as she closes her eyes, but only for a second. “You ready?”
Sophie nods, and I jump out running around the opposite side to open her door. When she climbs out I use the open door as an advantage, knowing it’s blocking us from the window I’m sure my mother is already looking out.
“I do plan to make up for all the times I wanted to kiss you and couldn’t.” And with that I lean in and brush my lips over hers. She smiles against my lips, before leaning back and slipping out beneath my arm.
Glancing back at me I swear I feel her smile down to the tips of my toes.
“Are you ready?” she repeats my question, waking backward toward the door. Before she even reaches the steps the front door opens and out steps my ma. She immediately hugs Sophie. I close my door and walk up to meet them.
“I see my son decided to find his manners.” She gives me a stern motherly look.
“He did,” Sophie says with a laugh. “Sorry about running off so quickly the other day.”
“No need for apologies,” she tells her. “Not from you anyway.” Again I get the motherly raised brow, lips pressed together in a tight line look. “I’ve just pulled two pies out of the oven and I have a new carton of vanilla ice cream in the freezer.” She tells this to Sophie as if I am nowhere to be found. “Would you like to have a piece?”
“I could never say no to a piece of pie,” Sophie says, linking her arm with my mother’s. The two of them walk off, chatting to one another like they are the only two people in the world.
Joining them, I stand back and watch as they work together with ease. It’s obvious right then how comfortable they are together. I am reminded of all the times Sophie has been here without me.
My father was right, Sophie did bring a genuine smile to my mom’s face.
“Did you bring the beer?”Bennett asks as he meets me at my truck.
I point toward the backseat and he leans in. There were two cases, along with a bottle of tequila and rum, per the request of Adley.
“Thanks, man,” he says, reaching in and grabbing some of it. “Adley is distracting Rory, I don’t even want to know how.” He shivers and I chuckle. “But her directions are to have him here no later than seven. He thinks it’s a cookout, which it is, but he doesn’t know it’s in his honor.”
“Is there anything else you need done?”
“I think the girls all have it covered.” I follow him to the backyard and find the streamers and birthday balloons. Adley was over here for a few hours earlier I guess pretending to be out to lunch with everyone. “They decorated and covered our lake with all those little lanterns.” I look out and can see the way they softly glow as the sun starts to set. “She ordered them online, solar powered I guess. You should have seen Brant’s face when they were setting them all free. It was like watching a boiling pot, and I think he would have had steam coming out his ears if his wife wasn’t taking part in the placement.” He chuckles as he sets down the beer and starts taking them out, placing them in the cooler. “Have I mentioned how much I enjoy seeing him get all flustered?”
“So many times,” I say, looking around the yard, looking for a certain someone.
“She’s inside getting the burgers ready,” Bennett answers my unspoken question and I shift my attention back to him. “You were looking for Sophie right?”
I don’t answer him, but I know I don’t have to.
“I heard my girl really laid into you the other morning.” His soul grows with pride. “She doesn’t get pissed often, but that day she came home all tired up. I should thank you for that.”
My brows wrinkle in confusion.
