Page 37 of The Longest Wait

The sound of flip-flops hitting the pool deck made his body tense.There was only one other person in the house, and it was the oneperson who didn’t make him relax. His little sister’s best friend, Sofia,was who most men would desire with her striking looks and flirtylaugh. Not him. He did everything possible to avoid her. But, if shewas coming to sit by the pool, he was shit out of luck.

He swore Sofia wore minimal clothing just to get a reaction outof him. He was in the pool, but the cold water wasn’t enough to coolhim off. Sofia, naturally, wore a red bathing suit that did nothing toconceal her knockout body. He looked at his book, anything really, todistract himself. Sofia was stunning, with her dark black hair thatalways seemed to bounce when she walked and her piercing blue eyesthat were always shining. Alex had gone to great lengths to never bealone with her because he didn’t trust himself. If there was one personhe shouldn’t put his hands on, it was Sofia. Which made him feel likea perv whenever the thought even crossed his mind. This was his littlesister’s best friend, not someone he could have mind blowing sex with.

Sofia stepped into the pool. “Mind if I join you?” Her voice wassilky sweet, which put him on red alert.

She was never sweet.

Not with him.

“You’re halfway in already, what’s the point in asking?” He refusedto make eye contact with her.

Sofia gave a throaty laugh. “Just being polite, this is your house.”

He knew she felt at home here. His parents adored her, and Lucywas her best friend. Then it settled in that she was alone for Fourth ofJuly. His parents would lose their shit if they found out he left her byherself. Before he could put much though in it, he asked. “What areyou doing for Fourth of July?”

Sofia shrugged. “Nothing planned. Other than your family, I don’tknow anyone else in Virginia.”

“Lucy will be furious if I go out and leave you here all alone.”That was why he asked her what her plans were. Mostly.

Sofia pouted, like not having plans was the worst thing that couldhappen to her. It was a reminder even though she was twenty-one, shestill behaved like a brat.

“You don’t need to throw a tantrum. You know my friend Drewwho lives a few houses down? He’s having a party in a couple of hoursand you can go with me.” He pulled himself out of the pool. “Just wearsomething that covers you up.”

He left her in the pool, wondering if she would bother to listen tohis instructions. Sofia was a notorious flirt. She could have any man shewanted, and the way she talked, it sounded like she did just that. Hehad no right to get jealous, but the idea of a man touching Sofia madeanger pulse through him. Tonight, he would make sure his friendsdidn’t chase after her. She better wear a damn parka to the party.

Chapter 12

IT TOOK AN entire month for their group of friends to gettogether again. Sofia didn’t normally appreciate when it took thislong to see Lucy and Tess, but it was a reprieve from being aroundAlex. After their not date date, she found it difficult to stop thinking of him. Sofia immersed herself into work. When work wasn’tkeeping her busy, she kept herself entertained by reading, playingonline games, and she even started running.

That was how low she had gone.

Alex had become so problematic to her, she started running.The only way she would’ve ever run prior was if she was about tomiss the ice cream truck. Sounded crazy, but soft serve ice creamwas something to chase after. Now though, she went on runs tokeep herself from texting him.

It was outrageous.

She stepped into Daltons for happy hour and spotted Tessholding down the fort. She sat next to her at the high-top table.

Tess put down her phone and hugged Sofia. “I have so muchto tell you, but I’ll wait for Lucy to get here.”

“Everything is okay, right?”

Tess was a constant ray of sunshine, and if someone was messing with it, Sofia would find them and let them know they werebarking up the wrong tree.

“Of course! I met someone.” Tess was all full of smiles.

Sofia relaxed. It wasn’t some bride dampening Tess’s world, justa man. In Tess’s relationship history, she would casually date andthen she would single out what was wrong with him. With that,she would gently end the relationship. She remained optimistic,but was set on the idea she was only settling down with a man whochecked every box.

Yes, she has a list. She was basing her happily ever afteroff boxes.

To top it off, it wasn’t like there were only three boxes.

There was a laundry list of attributes Tess expected in a man.Not even Tess herself was as perfect as the potential husband shedesired, but to each her own. If anyone was going to find the idealman, it was Tess.

Connor and Dominic arrived next, jumping into conversationabout their work. There was always the casual joke about Jack andthe tight ship he ran, but they were all busy as the Warriors seasonwas starting.

Alex was next to show up and Sofia gulped when she saw him.It should be criminal for a man to look so delicious in worn jeansand a gray T-shirt. She loved that shaving was an afterthought tohim. His stubble only added to his sexiness.

He sat next to Tess and Sofia tried not to pout. Her and Alexdid decide to keep it casual and not act like anything significanthad changed between them. She ignored the little piece of her thatwanted to lean into Alex and ask him about his day. Which was ared alert to her.