Page 11

Sophie

Aweekaftermy parent’s Independence Day party, I’m driving over to Drew’s house. He doesn’t live too far from my parents, probably ten minutes away, in a contemporary subdivision.

I park in his driveway and am surprised by the size of the home and the classic design. My brothers hang out with Drew all the time, but this is my first time seeing his place.

I pictured him living in an urban loft downtown, but this house screams “family man.”

I find myself wondering what happened to Penny’s mom, and how Drew feels about being a single dad—he has clearly embraced that role though.

Now that I think of it, I’ve never heard anyone mention Penny’s mother.

Shifting my car into park, I steady myself. I’m more nervous than I thought I’d be. Drew seems super laid-back and cool, but it’s definitely nerve-wracking to think of being alone with just him and Penny. Anytime I’ve been around him, my entire family has been present.

Walking to the front door, I notice he’s done some landscaping. At least, I’m assuming he’s done it himself. It’s not pristinely perfect, like the landscaping my parents hire out. Instead, it’s cute and a little messy.

There are bricks lining the walkway, and the flower beds are filled with a plethora of colorful plants. I’m no gardening expert, but it looks like there are at least some hostas and zinnias.

I’m smiling at the cute little flower beds when I hear the front door open up.

“Sophie!” Penny exclaims as she runs toward me.

“Well, hey there, Penny.”

“Do you love the garden me and my daddy planted?” Her eyes are wide with satisfaction.

“I love it!” I look up and see Drew standing a few feet behind her, looking a little sheepish.

”Daddy let me pick all the flowers.”

“You did an excellent job. It’s like a rainbow garden.”

Drew chuckles. “Pretty sure she chose one of every color … at least.” He grins. “Let’s get Miss Sophie inside, Penny. It’s hot out here.”

The three of us walk inside, Drew’s calm demeanor making me feel at ease. I don’t know why I was ever nervous. Drew is practically part of the Windell family. He and Penny come over for every holiday, though it’s true that I don’t really know him on a personal level like my brothers do. I guess I should’ve joined them for their golf games over the past few years.

Once inside, I take a quick look around his home. It’s an open floor plan, with a large kitchen and an island with a white and grey marble countertop. Beautiful gold pendant lights hang above the island, and gold bar stools are pushed up to the bar. The entire main area has the same dark wood floors and brushed gold fixtures throughout. It’s very stylish. I find myself, once again, surprised by him.

Perhaps his sister helped him design the place. It’s not a feminine space; it’s just more polished than what I had pictured in my mind.

“Your house is beautiful,” I say as I continue to look around the main area.

“Aunt Emily made it pretty,” Penny says matter-of-factly.

“It’s true,” Drew says without shame. “When the house was being built, I couldn’t have cared less about all the tiny details, so my sister helped a lot. I probably would’ve just made everything brown.” He shrugs. “Penny, why don’t you go find Aunt Em while I show Sophie the apartment?”

“Okay, Daddy!” She bounces down the hallway in search of her aunt.

I laugh. “So your sister has lived here to help with Penny? You guys must be close.”

He smiles fondly. “We are, despite me being seven years older. When we lost my parents, we were all each other had left, you know?”

“I’m sorry. That’s awful you guys lost your parents so young.”

One edge of his mouth twitches, like he’s not sure whether to smile or frown. “Thank you, and it’s okay. I know you’re no stranger to loss. I’m sorry about your husband too.”

My eyes blur with tears, but I swallow slowly, urging them away. “Thank you. I’m ready to move forward and have my own life again, you know? Without my parents hovering all day, every day.” I smirk.

Drew lifts one eyebrow. “Yeah, your parents are great. But they can be pretty intense, huh?”