Page 47 of The Longest Wait

This perked Lucy’s interest. “Why would Alex not be able totrust you?”

“Yes, Sofia, why wouldn’t I be able to trust you?” He gave hera devious look as he crossed his arms.

Sofia didn’t say a word, which was a green light for Lucy. “Itmakes sense for you to go with him. He needs a date and you’realways looking for an excuse to bail on Warriors’ games. Tesscouldn’t even get mad about you not being there this time sinceyou would be helping Alex out.”

Jack said dryly, “It’s as if the Warriors is an inconveniencefor you.”

“Don’t get your panties in a bundle,” Sofia told him.

“Bunch,” Alex corrected with a wicked smile.

Sofia didn’t care, she was pissed Alex put her in a situationwhere she was basically forced to say yes. “Whatever. Jack, youknow I love soccer. Well, I love the players. Is Mason playing? Ifso, I don’t want to miss that.”

Alex’s annoyance spiked. It was as if Sofia was actually tryingto bail on him-for another guy. “Is Mason someone of interestto you?”

Jack interrupted them, “Before you two fight, you can dropit. Our trainer is expecting at least another two weeks of physicaltherapy before Mason can play again. We have to shuffle aroundthe team a bit.”

Alex challenged Sofia. “Looks like you have no excuse.”

Lucy checked her watch. “Sof, you will have so much fun!Want to run to some shops so you can get a new dress?”

Sofia wasn’t the type of woman who liked being told what todo. Aggravation was all over her face.

He had to make it up to her because his crass way of asking herwas not flying over well. He pulled out his credit card and handedit to Lucy. “That sounds like a good idea. I’ll even pay.”

Sofia glared at him. “I don’t need your money.”

Who didn’t want something for free? And why was she alwaysso damn complicated? “I know you don’t. I was only offering to payfor your dress since this was just sprung on you. I was being nice.”

A fight was brewing and all four of them could tell. Lucyintervened. “Alex, it was nice of you to offer to pay for her dress.As your bratty little sister, I will also be buying myself somethingon your dime. Sofia, you love to shop, so stop shooting death glaresat my brother. I swear, I don’t know how you two will survive anight in New York together.”

Alex chimed in. “Or a morning.”

“What? I didn’t say I would do a weekend trip with you.” Sofiawas clearly pissed as more details emerged.

“You expect me to leave the city after the engagement party?I’m going to need some alcohol to get me through this night. I’mnot going to head back to Philly after that, it would be the trainride from hell. That’s crazy. I have a room booked already.”

Sofia’s cheeks reddened. “We’re not sleeping together.”

Alex shot her a look, and Lucy laughed at the idea of themtogether. “Sofia, we all know you two would never sleep together.I’m sure Alex will get another room, so you two don’t need toshare. Let’s go shopping before he changes his mind and takes hiscredit card back.”

Quickly, Alex watched Sofia and Lucy leave, while Jack watchedAlex. Once the front door shut, Jack said, “You better have a plan.”

Alex picked up a drill, getting back to work. “I don’t knowwhat you’re talking about.” Jack lifted an eyebrow. “I once saidthat too.”

“We’re not like what you have with my sister.”

“Interesting. I didn’t say you two did.”

Alex was quiet and Jack grabbed the hammer. “Seriously, man,I hope you have a plan.”

A plan? Everyone kept telling him to have a plan. How thehell was Alex supposed to make one when everywhere he turned,he had no idea what she wanted?

Erin Lynne

BY THE TIME he got home from helping Jack, Sofia was leaningagainst his apartment door. He wished she was visiting to spendtime together, but she was glaring, so that didn’t bode well fromhim. Sure, his move earlier in the day was underhanded, but itwasn’t like it was the end of the world. Sofia loved going to parties;she should look on the bright side.

“Who the hell do you think you are?” Sofia spat. “Putting mein a situation where I have to say yes to a weekend trip? Then, youhave the nerve to think it was kosher to hand me a credit card toshop? That was condescending, even for you.”