Page 40 of The Longest Wait

None of these seemed like appropriate things to mention.Especially since sex between them was a one-time thing. And ofcourse, because her best friend was his sister. That seemed like animportant reason to keep her mouth shut.

Alex and I had a non-date date, and he was all I could thinkabout, so now I picked up running. I may look into participating inan actual 5k.

No way was she saying that one. It would reveal too muchto Alex.

Instead, she downplayed everything.

“I don’t hate Alex nearly as much as you assume.”

“Yeah right,” Dominic said.

“I assume you don’t hate me at all,” Alex didn’t back down. Itwas like he was fishing for a reaction from her.

What was his deal? It was like he wanted to blow their coverand it was for no reason. Sometimes, he really was a butthead.

Lucy finished off the wine. “Either way, just don’t go to hernerd contest tomorrow. Connor, who lives in New Jersey?”

Just like that, the conversation changed to Connor and hisfamily in New Jersey. Everyone chatted away, but Alex’s eyes hadn’tleft Sofia’s. It was clear from his stare he wasn’t thrilled with herresponse about him.

she paced back and forth for the next round. Determination waswritten all over her face as she eyed her competition. Alex grabbedhis camera and took a shot. She was beautiful.

If he shared with her the pictures he took, she wouldn’t bepleased they were all of her. It also screamed stalker, so he capturedother photos. His goal was to showcase to Sofia the whole event,including the pieces she missed while she prepared for her turn.

Her name was announced for the next round, and Alex trottedover to her table, still unnoticed by Sofia. Once the timer began,her and the others around her, lifted their pencils to start. Shediligently worked on her logic-based numbers puzzle and therewas barely a sound in the crowded room.

Finally, a loud buzzer rang, signifying someone finished. Sofialifted her head, to see who won.

There was noise on the speaker, but Alex didn’t pay attention.He was too focused on Sofia. What he expected was for her to loseit over not winning the round. Instead, she walked over to the olderman, shook his hand, and smiled while she told him something.Whatever she said made the gentleman smile back at her.

She also didn’t leave, instead she wandered her way to anotherroom. Alex followed her lead.

OF THE LIST of weekend activities Alex had in mind, going to aSudoku competition wasn’t on it.

Ever.

After last night and Sofia’s announcement she entered a competition, he had to see for himself. Plus, she completely blew offthe perfect opportunity to tell their friends they actually liked eachother. He didn’t expect her to declare her love or explain the hotas hell sex they shared, but still. It stung she was apathetic to him.When he got to the convention center, it was after one o’clock.Surprisingly to him, there were a good amount of people there.Who knew Sudoku had such a fan base?

It was relatively easy to spot Sofia. She waited, not patiently, asSHE DIDN’T WIN, but that was okay. She still had fun. In fact,she didn’t expect to get too far, so making it to the third roundwas a victory for her.

“Great job,” a voice from behind congratulated her.

She knew that voice and she was happy to hear it. Secretly, shehoped Alex would show up and he did.

“Not too bad for my first time,” she told him.

He agreed. “I have some pictures. Want to see?”

“Of course, I want to see,” she told him as the found a tableto sit. “You better have got my good side.”

He pretended to grimace. “It was a hard task, but I thinkI did.”

“Har, har, so funny,” Sofia said. Alex attached a cord from hiscamera to his phone. “While you work your magic, I was goingto get some food. One of the vendors has a taco station, does thatwork for you?”

He didn’t look up, but nodded.

Sofia took off for food, happy Alex was with her. She didn’tinvite her friends because everyone was busy, well, that and theyall laughed at her, but it was nice to have support. The taco standwas rather quick, so she was back to Alex within fifteen minutes.

Once he saw her tray, he laughed. “Are we feeding an army?”