Page 49

She hesitates for a second, then opens her door and slides into her car. “See you then.”

For five days, I have come home to Sophie and the girls. Every evening I walk into my living room to the delightful sound of the girls playing and Sophie at the table working on grading papers or sometimes in the kitchen getting dinner started.

The sight of Sophie in my kitchen is enough to make my heart burst. I also love watching Penny and Samantha play together. Penny has taken it upon herself to play the big sister role, and she’s so great with little Sam.

The fact that Sophie is off-limits feels heavier on my heart each day. It feels so good to have her here in my house, and with each day that passes, I wish she was in my arms, too. Greeting me with a kiss each day when I walk through the door. I wonder if Sophie feels this too. Whatever this is.

Maybe it’s all in my head, but I feel like she looks at me differently now. She seems to hold my gaze longer and I’ve even noticed her watching me out of the corner of her eye.

It's becoming more and more difficult to keep my distance.

The close proximity is wreaking havoc on my nerves and my heart. I’ve been dreaming of Sophie every night. I never remember my dreams, but this one is clear as day. Sophie is twirling in a pink sundress in my backyard. It’s dark outside and the yard is lit only by the Jefferson bulb lights. Her ringing laughter fills the air, then she walks over to me and kisses me softly.

Every morning I wake up in agony that it wasn’t real. That I have to long for her but can’t have her.

I’m losing my mind.

I’m sitting on the couch with Penny while we wait for Emily to arrive. Tonight, I’m meeting up with my two closest friends for some much needed guy time. I think my life has been filled with way too much estrogen lately. Hopefully James and Conner will be able to talk some sense into me.

An hour later, I’m walking into our favorite brewery in town. It’s filled with pool tables and has an excellent IPA selection.

I spot the boys already playing pool, beer in hand, and stride over to meet them. We greet each other with a half hug and a clap on the back, the way all men do.

Conner’s green eyes take me in, and his eyebrows draw together. “What the hell, man. You look like someone kicked your puppy.”

I grab his beer and take a big swig of it. “I feel like somebody kicked my puppy.”

“Hey! That one was mine.” He flags down the server and orders two more drinks.

James chuckles and eyes me curiously before collecting all the pool balls to start a new game. “So, what’s new with you? We haven’t seen you in like a month.”

I take another drink. “You just saw me yesterday.”

“You know I meant outside of work.” James frowns, then crosses his arms.

“Yeah, seriously, what’s going on with you?” Conner mirrors James’s expression.

I shake my head from side to side, then look at my feet. “I think I’m falling for my babysitter.”

Conner chokes on a sip of his beer and James pounds him on the back.

James’s eyebrows shoot up in surprise. “But … Dr. Windell’s daughter is your babysitter, right?”

“Yes, Sophie.” I sigh.

Conner, who has now composed himself, replies, “Well, that’s awkward.”

“Thank you, Captain Obvious,” I deadpan.

James’s mouth is set in a straight line like he’s deep in thought. “I mean, you’re both single. So, it wouldn’t be that big of a deal, would it?”

Conner flags the waitress down again and she shimmies over and gives him a flirtatious smile. He runs his fingers through his thick brown hair and smiles back at her.

“Hey, we’re going to need some nachos.” He glances back at me and his face goes serious, like he just remembered my dilemma. “Actually, make that two orders of nachos.”

“You got it,” she says with a giggle, then scurries off.

Conner always seems to attract the ladies with his chiseled jaw, brown hair, and emerald eyes. He looks like he came straight from Ireland.