Page 67

I stare ahead at the landscape and swallow. I can’t believe I’m about to share this. I’ve avoided talking about Amber to anyone since it happened, but if it helps Sophia, I will. With the way I feel right now, I’d spill out my emotional guts if it would help.

“Highly unlikely!” A pop of a wet laugh escapes Sophia’s pouty lips. “While you stood at the altar, you learned your husband-to-be cheated on you as it streamed to millions of people online?”

“Well, not that part,” I say.

“Then what part?”

When she studies me from under her wet lashes, it’s all I can do not to pull over and kiss those salty tears away. I want to tell her it’ll be okay, that everything will get better. That I will do everything within my power to make it better.

I tamp down my emotions when I remember this woman hates me or pretends to. Based on her experience, I guess every man is the enemy. Maybe it’s up to me to prove I’m not.

I take a deep breath and prepare to share. It used to hurt when I thought about it. There’s been an empty void where my heart used to be, but when I’m with Sophia, it feels like something new is growing, like she’s watering my soul and bringing me back to life.

“My fiancée at the time told me she was pregnant two weeks before our wedding day. The twist was the baby wasn’t mine.” I roll my lips inward, recalling the deep knifing ache I felt in my gut when I learned the truth.

“Harsh.” Sophia wrinkles her nose.

“Yeah, well, it worked out for the best.” I tap the steering wheel.

“Are she and the baby’s father still together?”

“No, he ghosted her. I don’t even think he’s met his daughter.”

“Have you?” Sophia angles a curious look my way.

“Have I met his daughter?” I repeat her question. I hold my breath for a moment before I answer. “Yes.”

I couldn’t stop myself. At the time, I was still in love with Amber. I’d love his baby as my own if she’d have me, but she’d chosen to be a single mother. She said she loved me, but not like I needed.

I explain, “We were childhood sweethearts.”

Amber’s words may have been true, but it wasn’t obvious at the time. I was locked in a fog of puppy love. I thought she made a one-time mistake. It was one I could overlook if it meant loving her for a lifetime.

“Do you still love her?” Sophia asks, zeroing in on the issue immediately.

I should have known.

“Not anymore.”

It’s the first time I can say that with confidence. That since Amber and I split years ago, I’ve been busy trying to mend my heart by throwing myself into work.

I had to hit rock bottom first, but it made me realize how important every fall is. I learned that when we meet a wall, we must find a way around it, over it—or even under it—to move on. Every obstacle makes us stronger. It’s because of the struggle that I know how precious life is, and how very lucky I am.

Except there’s one very important thing that’s been absent. When I glance at Sophia, I can’t help but feel like she’s my missing piece.

26/

sophia

Sparkly Vagina Pants

I open the bathroom door and find Gio folding down the covers on my bed. As I watch, I coil the drawstring of my PJ shorts around my finger.

I was so fatigued when we returned from the festival that Gio wanted to carry me from the truck to the bungalow. When I refused, he “borrowed” a golf cart and drove me to our doorstep. I didn’t count on my enemy being so chivalrous.

Still watching him, I shift where I stand.

He notices me and offers a sympathetic smile, then pats the comforter, beckoning me to rest. Once I slip into the bed, Gio tucks me in, pulling the blankets high.