* * *
It’s after dinner,when Sophia and I are walking side-by-side down the street and Penelope is a little ways ahead of us, that I finally get a chance to really talk to Sophia.
“I’m sure you’re wondering why we moved,” I say.
She nods.
“Well…after everything that happened…I realized that community wasn’t right for us. And when I talked to Penelope about it, she was excited about the idea of living somewhere new, too. It’s her adventurous spirit, I guess. Anyway, we started looking at houses the next day. And now we’re in the new one.”
“You make it sound as easy as picking out a cake at the store.”
“I have the resources to make things like that easy.”
Her footsteps slow. “So itwasabout money. What that woman was yelling at me about, I mean. She was accusing me of going after your money, wasn’t she?”
“Yes.”
Sophia frowns. “I don’t understand, though. You don’t seem…um…how do I say this?”
“I don’t seem rich?”
She nods. I smile.
“That’s because I don’t like flaunting my wealth,” I say. “And I don’t care about material goods. I do like spending money on certain things in life—like good wine and amazing vacations. But that’s plenty for me. Besides, I want Penelope to grow up in as normal of an environment as possible.”
“I see,” says Sophia. “Well, that makes sense.”
I stop walking. So does she. I want to reach for her hand, but I don’t want to make any assumptions, either.
“Sophia,” I say. “I’ve missed you so much. I’ve thought about you every day since you left. And now that there’s no obstacles in our way…will you give me another chance?”
A smile plays across Sophia’s lips. It’s the biggest smile she’s given me all night. “I was really, really hoping you’d say that. Yes. Of course. I’d love nothing more than to be with you.”
I pull her toward me and we kiss. It’s so sweet. So tender.
“I love you, Sophia,” I say. “I know that might be crazy to say, because we only met a handful of weeks ago, but—”
She laughs with joy. “No. It’s not crazy. I love you, too.”
Just then, Penelope comes running up to us. “You guys are so slow!” she complains.
“Sorry, Pen,” I say, holding back a laugh.
We start walking again together, this time with Sophia’s hand in mine. It couldn’t be a more beautiful night. When we reach Sophia’s car, I give her another kiss and ask when I can see her again.
“I mean, I could come over tonight,” she says, the corner of her mouth lifting.
My body hums with desire for her.
“Well, I’m not saying no to that,” I say.
Chapter Nine
Sophia
1 Year Later
Penelope sighs as I slather sunscreen on her arms for the third time that day.