He snorts again.
Sophie looks over at me, and I rub her back, pulling her closer to me. I kiss her forehead and whisper in her ear. “You got this, Sophie. No matter what he says, you’re doing great.”
She smiles up at me softly and kisses the inside of my shoulder. Miles huffs and shakes his head. “This is ridiculous.”
“I’m not going to point out all the ways that this makes more sense than the whole Bella situation, but I want you to know that I love you, and I want us to keep talking. I’m not giving up on what originally had me coming out here.”
“Have a good night. Don’t tell your mother about Bella.”
Sophie groans. “I’m so tired of secrets!”
“Sophie.”
“I won’t!” She huffs. “I love you, Dad.”
With that, we head back to the house. I sit with her on the couch, rubbing her hand and pressing soft kisses to her fingertips. “Do you think this is going to work out?”
“I think you’ll have four guys to keep you happy and comfortable either way.” I wink.
She giggles and pushes me down, laying on my chest and between my legs. “You could go back into modeling if you wanted to. You’re such a silver fox.”
I laugh and kiss her forehead. “I’m happier painting, myself.”
“Well, you offered me a date once. I’d like to take you up on that. Tomorrow, let’s go paint and have dinner together.”
“Yeah?” I lift her chin.
“Yeah. We should do normal things. All of us going out together and separately. I think it will be good for us, especially after all this stress.”
“Who the fuck is this!?” Diana screeches.
I rub my forehead, and Sophie sighs, pushing off of me and kissing me softly. “I guess Mom found out about Bella.”
“What are you going to tell her?”
“Well, since I’ve basically been given a gag order not to say anything … obviously, she has to ask dad.”
Before Sophie can get far, Diana comes in, holding a photo of all of us and Bella. She points at Matthew. “Are you fucking him too?”
“No, Mom.”
“And did your dad fuck her?!” Diana’s obviously devastated, her makeup dragging down her face. “Is that what happens in this house? Everyone just fucks whatever girl is closest, and they call it good? Did your dad know about you and these guys the whole time? Oh god.”
“I think you need a drink, Diana.” Gunner wraps an arm around her. “I make a mean cosmo.”
“Really?”
“I do. And I’ll tell you everything.” He promises. “Plus, I’ve been known to be funny.”
“Is that why Sophie’s with you?”
“Well, I hope that’s part of the reason.” Gunner winks at us and motions for Sophie to join me on the couch instead of dealing with this. “I’ll take care of you, okay. We can have a long talk, and if Nick feels up to it, he’s pretty good in the kitchen.”
“You are?” Sophie asks.
“With meat, I am. Steak, Ribs, a few other things.”
“I think that sounds amazing.”