I’m not sure I should tell them about the nightmare she had a few nights ago, so to avoid getting on Sophie’s shit list, I keep it to myself. Honestly, they may already know anyway.
Mason: Well, I’m pretty concerned because she’s just running around with her earbuds in, and I don’t think she’s stopped moving in three hours.
Maddie: Get her to drink some OJ or some kind of juice. It’ll level out her blood sugars.
Mason: Okay. Anything else?
Lennon: If you can calm her without freaking her out, that might work to settle her nerves.
Maddie: Banging her up against a door might work.
Lennon: Maddie!
Maddie: It’s a valid suggestion!
Mason: Jesus Christ.
Lennon: Ignore her.
Maddie: Rude!
Mason: Thanks for all your help…
Lennon: She’ll be okay. Just be there for her.
I lock my phone and tuck it into my pocket. Fuck, I don’t know what to do.
After hearing rattling in the kitchen, I jump off the couch and head toward her. With shaking hands, she grabs the dinner plates from the cabinet. Since I tower over her, I grab them from behind her before she drops them on the floor.
“Oh, thanks. They were a little higher up than I could reach. Can you grab those glasses for me too? I’ve polished the silverware, so those are good to go. Now I just need to find a nice serving tray and—” She’s rambling so fast I can barely keep up with what she’s saying. Once I set the plates down on the counter, I grab Sophie’s shoulders and turn her around so she’s forced to face me. Her eyes widen at the sudden movement as I steady her.
“Soph, slow down,” I firmly tell her. “You’re running in circles around the place and—”
“I’m fine. I don’t have time to slow down. The party starts in a few hours, and I have a million more things to do and—”
Thinking about what her sisters said, I say to hell with it and improvise. Before she can speak another word, I cup her face and slant my mouth over hers, fusing our lips together. After a couple of seconds, her body relaxes against mine as if she’s giving me permission to continue.
Knowing I can’t let this go much longer, as much as I fucking want it to, I reluctantly pull away. Tasting Sophie again after all this time might actually be the death of me.
I stare down at her as she catches her breath, and I wonder if she’s going to slap me. When she finally blinks up at me, confusion is written all over her face.
“What was that for?” she asks softly, bringing a finger up to her lips.
“You were starting to lose it and clearly needed to be brought back down to earth,” I tell her, hoping the excuse is valid enough for her to believe. “You’re stressing out, Soph.”
“So…kissing me was to shock me or something?” she asks, and I can’t tell if she’s offended or relieved I snapped her out of it.
Swallowing, I release my hold on her and brush a hand through my hair. I’m not sure how I’m supposed to answer or if I should reveal what her sisters told me.
“You were just freaking me out. Sorry, I shouldn’t have done that. I wanted you to slow down before you—”
“No, I got it. It’s fine,” she says, her voice sharp. “I’m fine.”
“Let me help. Please.”
Sophie nods, and her chest is still rapidly moving. That kiss was maybe ten seconds, but it was the best kiss I’ve had in a long time. Since the last time I kissed her three years ago.
“You can set the table, and I’ll finish prepping the food.”
“Deal.”
When the doorbell rings a few hours later, Sophie is mostly back to her normal self. I can tell she’s a bit anxious, but it’s better than before. I answer the door to greet Hunter, Lennon, Allie, and Maddie.
“Hey, man. Hey, there’s my favorite little lady.” I reach over and kiss Allie’s cheek.
“What am I? Chopped liver?” Maddie steps in around me, scoffing.
“Don’t mind her. She’s sexually frustrated.” Lennon snickers, handing Allie off to Hunter. I usher them into the living room where Liam is already waiting with a case of beer. He wasn’t too excited about this formal dinner either, but I reminded him it was for Sophie, so he caved.
“Soph, your sisters are here,” I call up the stairs. She’s been in the bathroom for almost an hour.
“Coming!”
“She doing better?” Lennon leans over and whispers.
I take two beers and hand one to Hunter before twisting the cap off mine. “Yeah, I did what Maddie suggested, and she’s all good now.”
Hunter nearly chokes on his beer, looking up at me. By his reaction, my guess is Lennon read him our text messages.
“Really?” Maddie squeals, and Lennon scowls at her for being so loud.
“No!” I narrow my eyes at her.