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Sophie

“So,thisisit!” I spin around in my small living room.

Madden and Odette stayed behind after Penny’s birthday party. Madden stayed upstairs to hang out with Drew, but Odette wanted to check out my apartment.

I glance back at her to see what she thinks of the place, but she’s just staring at me with a smirk on her face.

“What?”

Odette crosses his arms over her enormous belly. “What’s going on with you and Drew?”

Heat rushes to my face. “What? Nothing!”

“He caught you in the kitchen earlier like you guys were doing a routine from Dirty Dancing,” Odette retorts with a laugh.

I bring my palm to my forehead, then drag it down my face in frustration.

“There is seriously nothing going on between Drew and me. He caught me when I fell, like anyone would have. And he’s basically my boss slash landlord.”

Odette raises an eyebrow. “A super handsome, super young boss… with super big muscles.”

“Not sure Madden would be too happy to hear you talking about Drew’s muscles.”

She shrugs. “What? It’s true.”

Baffled, I shake my head at her. “You’re being ridiculous. Sure, Drew is decent looking. But that doesn’t mean there’s anything going on. And honestly, I’m not ready for any kind of romantic relationship yet. I’m still working through things emotionally.”

She looks at me with sympathy in their eyes.

“Okay, I’ll drop it. Why don’t we finish the apartment tour?” Odette says as she waddles toward me, then loops her arm through mine.

“But when you are ready to date? Drew wouldn’t be a terrible choice—” She stops short when I glare at her. She raises her hands in defense. “I’ll stop! Sheesh.”

We continue down the short hallway, and I show her the bedrooms. She chuckles when she sees the door with the deadbolt which leads upstairs.

“Is this the infamous deadbolt I’ve heard so much about?”

I roll my eyes. “Yep. Will you please make David aware that it was locked when I gave you the tour?”

“Will do.”

Odette sees the photo of Sam on my dresser as we pass by my room. “Oh, hey, how was your widow support group?”

“Wonderful Widows?” I smile. “It was pretty great, actually. Definitely an odd assortment of women, but it felt so good to be around other people who have gone through the same thing as me.” I pause as we walk back into the living room. “Seeing a therapist has helped, of course. But talking to other women who lost a spouse was helpful in a completely different way. It felt very comforting.”

Odette tears up and pulls me into a hug. Or at least she tries to. She can’t pull me very close with her big belly in the way.

“Oh, Sophie, I’m so happy to hear that.”

“Aw, Odette. You must be exhausted from standing so much today. I better get you back upstairs so Madden can get you home.”

Her face twists in annoyance, and she opens her mouth to argue. But she stops short and yawns instead. “You’re probably right.”

We laugh together and head back upstairs.

Later that night, I’m trying to put Samantha to bed, but I can’t find her favorite blanket anywhere. She will not stop crying. I’ve tried everything from singing to acting out her favorite story. I know her blanket must be upstairs (the one place I haven’t searched), but I was crossing my fingers she’d fall asleep and I could avoid Drew until Monday.

My stomach is still doing funny little flips from remembering the feel of his arms around me. I know he was just catching me to keep me from hurting myself. But he felt so strong and safe, and he smelled so manly. That musky man smell with a hint of cinnamon.