Page 35

Drew

I’vekeptmydistance from Sophie for the past week, which is difficult when she literally lives in my basement and watches my child.

Cooking with her last weekend was honestly … thrilling.

That’s the problem. Spending time with my babysitter isn’t supposed to be thrilling. It’s supposed to be friendly, amicable, all business. Thrilling is not an adjective that is allowed in the context of my relationship with Sophie.

I want to have those feelings when I’m with Mariah. She’s perfect for me. She took me to a freaking car show for crying out loud. Not to mention she’s beautiful and funny and uncomplicated.

And nothing. I feel nothing.

Last weekend as Mariah and I were leaving the car show, I invited her to Penny’s birthday party. I thought it would give us one more chance to connect and see how she is with Penny. But now I’m regretting it.

The last thing I want to do is lead her on. I just genuinely wanted to see if the chemistry between us could grow. Surely it’s not instantaneous for everyone.

I thought about texting her to cancel after me and Sophie's my sexy rolling-pin fiasco. How is that even a thing? But she had already texted me saying she found the perfect gift for Penny and was so excited about coming to the party today.

Ugh, I'm in way over my head here.

I keep finding myself looking over my shoulder to see if Sophie’s nearby, and when she’s not, I feel a pang of disappointment. I don’t want to feel this way. I don’t want to be constantly aware of her presence. I don’t want to want her.

I don’t know how to get rid of this feeling. Maybe David was right. I mean, what red-blooded man wouldn’t be sucked down this rabbit hole with a woman as beautiful as Sophie basically living in his house.

I swirl the last bit of frosting onto Penny’s bright pink cake. Strawberry cake with strawberry frosting, her favorite.

Taking a deep breath, I remind myself to just focus on Penny and not worry about the rest. Today is all about her.

Hearing a pitter-patter on the wood floors, I jerk my head up from where I’m frosting the cake and see little Sam running into the kitchen. Sophie is on her heels with a bright smile on her gorgeous face. Looking at her feels like a punch to the gut. Everything about her is like sunshine in the midst of a storm.

I look back down at Samantha to distract myself from Sophie.

“Need any help with the party preparations?” Sophie asks sweetly.

Her voice is soothing, like one of those harps that angels probably play in heaven.

I take her in briefly. She’s wearing another freaking sundress. Does she have to do that? This one is blue, the color of my Bronco. If it wasn’t my favorite color before, it is now.

“I’m almost ready, but thanks for the offer.” My voice comes out weak, much like a puppy's whimper.

“Alright,” she replies quietly, rubbing the sides of her arms awkwardly.

“Are you cold?” I ask before I can take it back. Sophie Miller’s temperature is none of my business.

“A little, but I’ll be fine. I’m always cold.” She shrugs. “Junk food warms me up, so I’ll be fine after eating my weight in birthday cake.”

I chuckle. “You and your junk food. You need protein, remember?”

She blushes at my comment. Perhaps thinking about Saturday affects her the same way it does me.

“I actually did enjoy grilling the other day, even though my chicken breasts turned out more dry than yours.”

I close my eyes and think about the vein in Ted Windell’s forehead. I really wish she wouldn’t say the words my and breasts in the same sentence.

I swallow hard and huff out a strangled sounding laugh. “Ha, they weren’t so bad. They were… you know… tender.”

Damn it, Drew. Why are you the way that you are?

Sophie looks pleased at my compliment. “Oh, thanks! Glad they tasted okay.”