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Drew

Saturdayeveningisfinally here, which means I get to go on another date with Sophie. I’ve been antsy all day that I might be called into work, but I haven’t. Usually when I’m called in I get a call well before five p.m., so I should be good to go. But just in case, I pack a pair of scrubs to leave in the Bronco.

On Saturdays, Ted and Diane usually watch Samantha for Sophie. She asked them to keep her overnight so she can attend her friend’s wedding this evening and they agreed. She just left out the part that I’m her date to said wedding.

I texted Emily a few days ago asking if she’d watch Penny for me tonight, and she responded with nothing but a “yes.” That was the only word she’s spoken—er, texted—since she abruptly walked out of my house last weekend. I’m hoping this means she’s coming around to the idea of me coming clean to Sophie. Because this secret has eaten away at me for seven years. And the longer I wait to tell Sophie, the harder it will be.

Sophie said the wedding is a casual outdoor event, taking place in the botanical gardens here in Wichita. I glance at myself in the mirror, taking in my tailored black trousers, matching vest, and white button up dress shirt underneath, completed with my oxford dress shoes and a green plaid tie. Hopefully, this isn’t over-the-top. This is probably the fanciest outfit I own, aside from the tux I have for formal occasions.

But Sophie makes me want to go all out. To give her my very best.

After a quick spray of the cologne Sophie adores, I stride out to the living room at the same time Emily comes in the front door.

We stand there in silence for a few seconds. She’s looking everywhere but at me.

I swallow the lump in my throat. “Em, thanks for coming. I—”

She cuts me off. “No, Drew. Don’t.” Shaking her head, she continues. “I’m not ready to talk about it, okay?”

“Okay.” My voice comes out raspy, my throat feels thick with emotion. “Thanks for watching Penny.”

“You know I’ll always be here for you and Pen. No matter what,” she says as she finally meets my gaze. She looks tired, with dark shadows under her eyes. It looks like she hasn’t been sleeping.

Penny skips down the hallway, and her entire face lights up when she sees her aunt.

“Aunt Em!” She runs over and Emily kneels down to embrace her.

I smile as I watch their interaction, noticing for the millionth time how much they look alike.

“I’m going to head out.” I smile, and Penny pulls away from Emily just long enough to hug me around the legs. “Love you, sweetheart. Be good for Em.”

“I will!”

One side of Emily’s mouth pulls up in a smile. “You look pretty snazzy.”

Penny nods “Yeah, Daddy! You look like a prince.”

I shrug like it’s not a big deal. “People have to dress up for weddings.”

I told Penny I was going to a friend’s wedding, but not that I was going as Sophie’s plus one. We’ve managed to keep our relationship platonic in front of the girls, giving our relationship the time it needs to grow before bringing the girls in on it. I don’t see any reason why Sophie and I would ever part ways. But if we did, we wouldn’t want it to affect the girls. Penny would be devastated if Sophie was no longer in our lives. Almost as devastated as I would be.

With a wave, I go out the garage door and back my Bronco out of the driveway. Once I turn the corner and know I’m out of sight of my living room windows, I park and walk over toward the entrance to Sophie’s apartment.

My entire body feels rattled with nervous energy. Like I haven’t seen Sophie in weeks when in reality we watched a movie on my sofa after the girls fell asleep last night.

I knock on her door then smooth my hands down my vest, making sure I look alright. She opens the door with a bright smile and my breath leaves my lungs. My eyes widen, my jaw drops. I’m speechless. Like that cartoon wolf that goes “AOOOGAH!”

She stands there and I drink her in. Starting at her toes, then slowly dragging my eyes back up to her face. She’s wearing strappy nude stilettos and a silky cocktail dress in a color that reminds me of rust. If rust were really freaking sexy.

There’s a small pendant necklace around her neck with a pale white stone resting right between her collarbones. Her hair is piled up one top of her head and has been curled into loose waves. She left a few wispy strands of blonde hair dancing around her face and dusting the skin by her neck. Her lips are shiny, plump, and inviting and her eye makeup is dark and smoky.

“Wow,” is all I can say once I finally remember how to speak.

She giggles. “You like it?”

She glances down at her outfit and then does a little spin. She’s adorable and sexy. Adorably sexy. Apparently that's a thing.

“Sophie, you’re gorgeous.”