NICK
Finally, Saturday. I stretch as I linger in bed, watching my curtains lighten with the sun. I’m so tired of H.R. issues. Apparently, Miles held the employees together and kept them from going for the throat on a regular basis.
Who knew.
I rub my forehead, then reach into my nightstand to pop two Tylenol. Probably not the best thing to do first thing in the morning, but I’m preparing. Things have been too quiet the last two days. Miles hasn’t had anything to say, and neither has Diana.
None of us are stupid enough to think that they’re suddenly okay with the news that Sophie is with all of us. I’m just waiting for the other shoe to drop. When I finally peel myself out of bed and get through a shower, I drag on casual clothes, jeans, and a black button-up that I roll up to my elbows.
Downstairs, I see Roman watching Sophie work in the kitchen with a lovestruck smile. Which means he told her. One down three to go. I chuckle and pat his shoulder. “Heard anything from Diana?”
“Nope.”
“I heard her come in last night,” Holden grumbles, obviously exhausted. “Woke me up slamming doors.”
“Sorry, Hold.” Sophie kisses his temple. “She can be a lot.”
“More of a hothead than you.” He rubs her side, and she kisses his chest. “So, what is the plan?”
“For today?” Roman asks. “Or for this shit?”
“Both. Either.”
“Well, I think I need to go see my dad,” Sophie says.
I take a long drink of coffee and shake my head. “I don’t know, Sophie. I don’t think he’s ready for that.”
“And he never will be. But I know how I feel, and I know what I’m doing. He can either get on with whatever fury he’s got, or he can be a good dad and pretend his daughter doesn’t have a sex life at all.”
I shake my head, then add some sugar to my coffee. “You’re betting on him being in a good mood.”
“I’m betting on him recognizing I’ll be just as stubborn as he will about this. After all, who could possibly be better for his only little girl than his best friends?” She asks.
Holden gives her a donut, and she eagerly takes a bite while mumbling thank you around the food in her mouth. Roman shrugs. “You have a point, Bambina.”
“I know.” She winks at him.
“Alright, love. You need someone to take you?” I offer.
She glances at Holden and Roman. “If Mom comes home-”
“We’ll be good,” Roman assures her. “No arguing. I’ll leave that to you, little tiger.”
She shoves against his chest once but accepts a kiss from him and Holden before taking my hand and leading me to the car. She insists on driving, holding the steering wheel so tight that her knuckles turn white. I rub her knee. “If you don’t feel ready, we can stop at a park or something first.”
“I just want this to be done. I’m not going to change my mind because he’s threatening me. I’m not going to leave you guys just because he’s uncomfortable. Living with you all, being with you all is the best thing that’s ever happened to me.” She grits her teeth. “And I’m not letting that go unless one of us decides that’s best.”
“Very mature.” I nod. “It’s a lot for him, though.”
“Is it?”
“Well … there’s something …” I hesitate.
“If it’s something that could be making this worse, I should know. We’re past the point of keeping secrets now, aren’t we?”
“Before you, we had another girl. Not at all like you.” I have to put that upfront. “Purely for sex. But it was all of–”
“All meaning …”