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Before I can stop her, she's standing on the very messy countertop. “Soph, please get down and just let me grab the lighter. I’m much taller than you.”

“It’ll be fine.” She waves me off.

Sophie grabs the lighter from the top of the fridge, but as she’s about to come down from the countertop, her foot catches a slippery Ziploc baggie. Almost as if in slow motion she shrieks, and falls backward.

I catch her swiftly in my arms, with one arm behind her back and the other under her knees. Like a knight in shining armor. Her arms slide around my neck instinctively, and she looks stunned.

Our eyes meet and it’s like we’re locked in this moment together. I’ve never held her, but she feels so good in my arms. Her blue eyes are even brighter up close, with a thick black rim around the edges. Her chest is heaving as she inhales deeply from the shock of falling.

“Did you find the lighter?” Penny yells from the dining room table, pulling us from our trance.

We both blink rapidly before noticing that everyone in the dining room is staring at us in silence. Ted and David have scowls on their faces. Madden and Brooks just look amused. Odette has hearts in her eyes, or maybe tears? Emily looks smug, and Mariah looks extremely uncomfortable.

Crap, crap, crap. Could this be any more awkward?

“Um, Drew? You can put me down.” Sophie whispers, her eyes shifting back and forth.

Yes, apparently it can.

I quickly release her legs, so they drop back down to the floor. But she must not have anticipated the urgency with which I released her legs, because she stumbles back into my chest.

I grab her by the waist to make sure she’s balanced herself on the floor before letting go. “Are you okay?”

A high-pitched laugh stumbles from her mouth. It sounds strained and awkward. “I’m fine, ha! Crisis averted.”

We saunter back to the dining room, and I light the candle on Penny’s cake. Everyone sings “Happy Birthday,” and Penny’s giant grin seems to distract our guests from the kitchen incident.

After Penny has opened all of her gifts and thanked everyone, I feel a tap on my shoulder.

“Drew, I’m gonna head out.” I turn around to see Mariah standing there. She looks down at her feet and avoids eye contact with me.

“Right, let me walk you out.”

Silently, we walk to Mariah’s car and linger for a few seconds before she speaks, “So, I don’t think it’s a good idea for us to see each other anymore.”

I comb my hand through my hair. “I’m sorry about the Sophie thing in there.”

She opens her mouth to say something, but closes it and hesitates. She thinks for a moment longer. “With our jobs, we know better than anyone that life is short. If you and Sophie have feelings for each other, you should pursue that.”

My face flames with embarrassment. “Mariah, there’s nothing going on between me and Soph—“

Mariah cuts me off. “I know, I know. I’m just saying… you didn’t need a lighter to light that candle when there are enough sparks between you and Sophie to light this entire city on fire. And I have zero interest in dating a man who has the hots for someone else.” She smiles gently.

I huff out an uncomfortable laugh, my cheeks still aflame.

“I understand.” I nod and give her a quick hug.

Mariah opens her car door and slides inside. “Bye, Drew.”

“Bye Mariah.”

As I watch her drive away, I can’t help but wonder how a beautiful, level-headed woman like her has remained single all this time. I truly wish nothing but the best for her. And I’m relieved she handled this awkward encounter so graciously.