A Chance Encounter

“Nice to meet you both,” I tell them.

“This is Easton,” she tells her fiancé, catching him up. “He’s the guy who knocked up Soph.”

I cringe at the crassness of her words. Yeah, it’s true that’s what I did in the literal sense, but wording it like that feels like she’s cheapening what’s growing in Sophia’s belly—a beautiful miracle.

“Looks like a lot has changed in the few days we’ve been gone,” Naomi continues, leaving her bags at the door and having a seat on the other couch with Dante.

“Naomi, don’t,” Sophia says, sitting up and rubbing her eyes. I expect her to move away from me since we’re around other people and we haven’t established what we are yet, so I’m shocked, and happy, when she stays where she is and leans into me, resting her head on my shoulder. I wasn’t sure how this would all go down, but spending the last twenty-four hours with her helped crumble the wall that was between us. We still have a long way to go, and a lot to learn about one another, but I really feel like we’re on the right track.

“Don’t what?” Naomi asks innocently.

“Give Easton a hard time.” She scrubs her palms over her face. “How was your trip?”

“Good. How was Kendall’s Christmas?” She pouts. “This was the first Christmas of hers I missed.”

“I’m sure when she wakes up, she’ll show you everything and it will feel like you were here.” Sophia laughs, but it sounds forced.

“I know, but it’s not the same.”

My phone goes off, while the girls are talking. It’s a text from my mom asking what time I’ll be over for dinner and if I’m bringing the girls. I mentioned this morning when I called to wish them a Merry Christmas that I spent the night playing Santa and she told me she really likes Sophia and Kendall and looks forward to getting to know both of them.

“Hey, Dash, do you have any plans for dinner?” I ask when there’s a lull in the conversation.

She mock-glares at the nickname, at the same time Naomi asks, “Dash?”

“Yeah,” I tell her, glancing over at Kendall to make sure she’s asleep. “Because she dined—”

“Easton!” Sophia yells, covering my mouth with her hand. “You are not allowed to call me that around anyone else, or really ever! And you are definitely not allowed to share the meaning behind it.”

Naomi cracks up laughing, not needing me to explain. “Oh my God. That’s good. Dine and dash.”

Dante chuckles. “I need to go home to handle some stuff for the club. You coming?”

Naomi shakes her head. “I need to start packing.” She sighs, and I feel Sophia stiffen next to me.

“You going somewhere?” I ask, curious since she just got home.

“Dante bought us a house,” Naomi explains with what sounds like a hint of sadness in her tone. “We’re moving in next weekend.”

“Damn, woman,” Dante says. “You make it sound like it’s the end of the world. Excuse me for wanting to spend my life with you… in the same home.” He stands and walks toward the door, and Naomi follows.

“You know that’s not how I feel,” she says. “I’m just going to miss my best friend.”

“And I offered for them to move in as well,” he says, clearly frustrated.

“And we appreciate that,” Sophia jumps in. “But this is your new chapter,” she says to Naomi. “And as much as we’ll miss you, it’s time.” She moves slightly away from me, so I’m able to see her face, and I notice her smile is fake. “Plus, your house isn’t far and you’re still going to babysit Kendall while I work… So, really, not much will change.”

“Thank you for understanding,” Dante says, flashing a grateful smile at Sophia.

“I’m sorry for being a brat,” Naomi mutters to Dante. “I’m grateful for the house and I love it. I’ll just miss my girls.”

“I know, babe,” he says, kissing her. “It’s a transition, but you’ll see that like Sophia said, not much is going to change. Soph,” he says, looking up. “I’ll see you at the club.”

“Will do, Boss!” Sophia chirps.

“He owns Emerald’s?” I ask once he’s gone.

“Yeah. He’s a great boss. I’ve been working there since a little after Kendall was born. And thankfully, he’s agreed to give me more hours since my time is limited before I start showing. With Naomi moving, I have to find a new apartment for Kendall and me.”

I don’t like the fact that she’s working at a strip club while she’s pregnant, but I bite my tongue, already aware of how independent she is.

“Why don’t you just stay here?”

Sophia snorts out a laugh. “Umm, because this place is way more than I can afford. Besides, our lease is almost up. I don’t want to have to sign another year lease here. My goal is to get an internship at a law firm. It’ll pay shitty, but I’ll get the experience. That’s why I’m saving up now, so I’ll have money in the bank to supplement my income.” I love how motivated she is. Based on her age, she had Kendall young, which would jostle anyone’s plans, yet she remains focused and determined to give them a better life.