NICK
Sophia blushes intensely and fixes her hair quickly. As we start to walk away, I realize I came in her. Actually came in her. And I didn’t ask. I pull her back by her hand, and she laughs as she braces herself against my chest.
“We don’t have time for more, silly.”
“Is it okay? Are you …” It’s never been so awkward to ask if she’s on the pill. “I … finished, I mean, and we didn’t have a condom.”
“It’s safe.” She assures me, kissing the hollow at my throat. “I would have felt bad if you didn’t come.”
My hesitation, my defenses, they all melt for her. I bite my lip and let her lead me away from our secluded spot. Sophia is a bright light where everything else is dark. Her smile, her warmth, how unashamed she is to be herself is inspiring.
She makes me feel like anything, and everything is possible, even knowing I’m returning to work in H.R., where I get complaints, have to deal with touchy issues, and have to see the gray in everything doesn’t seem so terrible.
Not with Sophia around.
We get back to the group, and Gunner raises his glass to me. I grab a glass of wine and fight the urge to down it. The Rosé at least tastes like juice. Sophie grins at me over her glass, like we’re sharing a secret.
The best secret in fact, considering I haven’t done anything like what we just did … in a very long time. Sophia laughs at something Danny says to her and goes red as she opens and closes her mouth.
The rest of the day is spent traveling between vineyards, sampling wine, and eating the local food. Sophia comes back to me at the last one as we watch the sunset. “Feeling the urge to paint yet?”
I chuckle. “Something like that.”
“You have time and money. Why not take an oil painting class? Why not … you know, dive into what makes you feel alive, make you feel like your best self?”
I take her hand and kiss her cheek. “What makes you think I’m not?”
She sighs and shakes her head. “You’re not allowed to be that romantic.”
“Says who?”
She shrugs and laughs once. “I just want you to enjoy life, that’s all. I see so many people that live for the weekends and waste most of their life doing what they have to. I’m afraid I’m going to become one of them.”
“Considering the advice you’re giving me?”
“No one takes their own advice, Nick.” She rolls her eyes. “One of the faults of being human, I suppose.”
“Then take mine,” I whisper in her ear. “Live every moment to the fullest, Soph. It seems like you’re doing that here.”
She laughs. “I feel free here.”
“What’s stopping you from feeling free back home?”
She thinks that over for a moment and shrugs. “I don’t know, really. I feel like I have to be the person people expect. Meek, obedient, a hard worker, diligent, a good daughter.”
“That sounds exhausting, sweetheart,” I murmur.
She nods. “I just don’t want to disappoint anyone. Especially my dad. He’s given me such a great opportunity, and I don’t want to waste it.”
“He’s so proud of you, Sophia. Even before you came to live with us. You know you’re his greatest pride. He talks more about you than work than about being overseas.” I squeeze her hand tightly. “And you know I suck at lying.” I wink.
She nods and smiles gently. “He has such a high opinion of me I feel like it’s impossible to live up to.”
“You do it every day,” I promise her.
“Thank you, Nick.” She leans her head on my shoulder. “Is it .. weird for you when I talk about him?”
“No.” I kiss her forehead. “Not at all. It shows how important family is to you.”
“Thank you. For listening.” She sighs, then makes herself comfortable against me. “I’m so exhausted, and I feel like I haven’t done anything but eat and drink today.”
“We’ve done plenty. So much talking and movement, and drinking.”
We both laugh, and after a bit of silence stretching between us, and we head back to the group. We drive home, and almost everyone is quiet. Massimo and Gunner talk as if they haven’t had a full day of drinking. They’re both bubbly and animated. Gunner insists that he could take Massimo in a one-on-one soccer match.
I chuckle and shake my head at him. “That might be one step too far, Gunner.”