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Watching Mike and Ashley together filled me with longing that, someday, maybe that could be me and Drew. Drew lingers at my door, looking down at our joined hands. His hesitation to say goodbye makes me wonder if he’s feeling the same heaviness I am.

Neither of us makes a move to open the door or to say anything. We just enjoy the warmth of our hands linked together. Drew leans against the door frame with a sigh.

“I don’t really want to say goodnight. Every time I say goodnight to you it gets harder.” One side of his mouth pulls up into a smile, but his eyes look a little sad.

“I feel the same way.”

He tucks a strand of hair behind my ear, but instead of pulling his hand away, he slowly brushes his finger down my ear and the side of my neck. I lean into his caress.

He pulls his hand away, and his head falls back against the door frame. “This is agonizing.”

I giggle at how dramatic he’s being.

“I should probably let you know that I’m serious about you, Soph. I plan to marry you someday. I’ll wait until you’re ready, but it’s going to happen. And you’re going to sleep in my bed every night.” His eyes darken as he says it.

He’s completely serious. There’s not even a hint of humor in his expression.

I whisper, “Sounds good to me… I’m not going to argue with you.” It comes out in a rasp.

He slides one hand around my waist and pulls me close. His other hand goes to my jaw, his thumb sliding along the edge.

“I’m going to kiss you goodnight, and then I’m going to be a gentleman and walk away.”

He kisses me and my hands go to his chest and clutch his shirt, trying to pull him closer. He angles his head to the side to lean into my lips, then pulls back.

“Goodnight, Sophie.”

I gulp, still reeling from his kiss and his intense gaze. “Goodnight.”

I wake up early; the sun is barely up. The first thing I do is check my phone. Madden texted last night that Odette was in labor. Their first was born pretty quickly; they barely made it to the hospital, so I’m anticipating my new nephew is already here. Sure enough, there’s a text from my brother.

Madden: Bradford Theodore Windell is here! 21 inches long and 8 lbs, 1oz. He’s healthy and Odette is doing great. She’s a rockstar as usual. :-)

I grin as I read his message and type out a reply.

Sophie: Yay! I can’t wait to meet my new nephew! Send pics when you can.

I jump out of bed and throw on some bike shorts and a baggy t-shirt. Mom and Dad kept Samantha last night and I’m sure they ended up with my nephew Oliver as well. Odette’s parents are in their late-seventies, so they don’t normally ask them to watch Oliver overnight.

Grabbing my phone, purse, and keys, I head out the door. After sliding into my car, I check my phone one last time and see Madden sent a photo of little Bradford. He has chubby cheeks and is wrapped in a blue blanket. He has a wisp of blonde hair peeking out from under his little beanie.

I respond quickly before I start the car.

Sophie: Another blondie! You’re going to have to have half a dozen babies to get one with red hair.

Madden: Ha. Not even funny. I’m willing to try ONCE more. That’s it.

Sophie: *gif of Justin Timberlake doing the shifty eyes*

I glance up and see the sun rising, a brilliant cascade of pinks and yellows. For the first time in a long time, I feel nothing but joy and hope.

Life is good.