Chapter Twenty-One

Ryan

“So you’regonna let me adopt you, right?”

I don’t think my mom has let Sofia have a free moment since we arrived at the office party she’s putting on at the Fontanel Mansion. Though, my mom has changed it into a festive wonderland of lights and ice sculptures. There were over five hundred people who showed up, and like always, my mom killed it. She wasn’t kidding when she said it would take more than me to move that damn swan. I was thankful I brought a few of the guys and Moon. But I don’t think my mom noticed them. Usually, she gushes over my friends, makes a huge deal about them. But tonight, it’s all about Amelia’s friend.

Mom loves Sofia.

With a shy grin, Sofia shrugs as she moves a piece of hair behind her ear. “I think my mom might have something to say about that.”

Mom just waves her off. “We’ll discuss it when she comes. Do you have the date yet?”

Sofia shakes her head, a strained smile on her face. It was her first night working ever, and when she texted me that she was nervous, I assured her she would be great. I wasn’t wrong. She moved around this room like she owned it, and everyone was very pleased. Unlike my sister, who was flirting with Moon most of the night and didn’t deliver the wine to table three fast enough.

“Not yet. We’re working it out.”

“You let me know. She has a place to stay.”

Mom has always been very inviting. My dad would hate it, but she’s a natural entertainer and loves fussing over people in her house. Lately, it’s been a little overbearing, her asking everyone to come stay with her. It leads me to believe she is lonely, and that bums me out. “I really appreciate that, Mrs. Justice.”

She waves Sofia off before wrapping an arm around her. “Grace.”

They share a heartfelt smile. “You should come to dinner at the end of the month. I think Elli is making her famous chicken.”

Amelia groans loudly. “Sofia, have you had fried chicken?”

“Yeah…”

“Southern fried?”

“Is there a difference?”

We all answer, “Yes.”

Her face lights up as she laughs, her eyes falling to mine. “Then I guess I’ll have to come.”

Yes, you will,I say in my head, but my lips just curve. I know my aunt and uncle will love her.

“Yes! Shelli will be there, Mom. Did you know she dyed her hair?”

I whip my head around to my sister. “Dyed it?”

“Yeah, for the play she’s in. She went blond, like bright blond. She told me it took over three hours to get her hair that light. She looks so weird!”

Mom nods, and while I don’t know jack shit about hair, I know my cousin has been a brunette her whole life. I’m really unsure that she can pull off blond.

Mom agrees with me. “I don’t like it. But you know, she’s living her dreams.”

“Crazy,” I say, and I wonder how I missed that. I follow her on Snapchat, but then, I haven’t really been checking that. I’ve been a little preoccupied with my phone ever since Sofia finally decided to text me. She told me it was weird at first, but now, we do it all the time. I don’t pay a lick of attention in my boring classes; I’m too busy sending her little emojis and funny memes. She’s more responsible and pays attention in class, but that doesn’t stop her from sharing her day with me when she has time. She’s busy, but so am I. Yet we make time to chat. Now, if I can get her alone, I’d say things are going pretty damn good for us.

Mom wraps her arms around Sofia and then Amelia, and she hugs them tightly. “You two did amazing tonight. You can work whenever you like.”

“Can we this weekend? We get back from the meet Friday night. Late, but we can be up that morning, can’t we, Am?”

Amelia nods eagerly. “Yeah, of course.”

Mom looks between the two of them. “Well, if y’all don’t think you’ll be too tired, then yes, I actually have events all weekend.”

“Can you put us down?” Sofia asks with a sweet grin on her face.

I try not to be jealous. I want to spend time with her, but I know she wants to work. I get it, but still, I’m a little put out. She isn’t even your girlfriend, I remind myself, and I know that. Even if she were, I would never ask her to spend time with me instead of doing what she needs to get her mom here. I’m not that guy. But in my head, I’ll complain and be a baby about it. I just want to spend time with her. See her. Touch her. Kiss that sweet mouth of hers and then some. I’m so ready to get closer, but I refuse to rush this and scare her away. I mean, we went from her basically telling me to fuck off to getting sweet kisses here and there. I need to be patient, but man, I want her.

“Of course!”

They beam up at my mom, and Sofia’s grin hits me square in the chest. Damn, she’s so pretty. Her hair is up in that bun she is obsessed with, and she’s wearing a white button-up and black slacks. Unlike my sister, who is wearing pumps like a nut, Sofia picked some black Nikes, looking adorably practical. Though, I think I’m pretty much so infatuated with her that she could wear sweats with her hair in a bird’s nest, and I’d still think she is the most beautiful girl sent from heaven.

Just for me.

When Mom turns to me, she kisses my cheek. “I love you, Ryan.”

I wrap my arms around her neck. “Love you, Mom.”

“Thank you for bringing them in and waiting.”

Amelia and Sofia look up at me, and I shrug, cutting my eyes to Sofia’s. “It’s cool. Gave me a reason to spend time with them.”

“He means her,” Amelia says, hooking a thumb to Sofia.

Sofia’s face fills with color. “Really?”

Mom grins. “Oh, things going well?” she asks me.

I glance back to Sofia, whose cheeks are bright red, her eyes wide. With a grin, I say, “I’d say so.”

Mom turns to Sofia. “And you said you weren’t interested! Do you see this face? He is adorable!”

Tags: Toni Aleo Bellevue Bullies Romance
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