9
Sofia really should’ve slept on the ride to Hudson, because there was no sleeping happening on the way back. Charlene was a chatterbox, which wasn’t anything new, but this time she wanted to talk about anything but herself. That was different. Sofia knew she’d need to keep a close eye on Charlene over the next few days to make sure she snapped back to normal. Although she said nothing more had transpired, Sofia wasn’t so sure. Then again, it could be that Charlene was just angry at herself for getting into that situation.
“Are you sure you’re going to be okay?” Sofia asked on the staircase between floors.
“Yes, I am fine. I just want to go and soak in a hot tub and go to bed.” Charlene turned to Dylan and added, “I’m warning you; you’d better not turn out to be an asshole too, or you’ll have to deal with me.”
Dylan said, “I’ll keep that in mind.”
Sofia gave Charlene a quick hug and watched as she headed up the final flight alone. When she was out of earshot, she turned to Dylan and said, “I hope she’s going to be okay.”
“I’m not an expert, but I think she will. She’s tough.”
“A lot tougher than I am, that’s for sure. It’s late, or maybe it’s really early, but either way, did you want to come in and I can make you some coffee? I don’t want to worry about you driving home alone and falling asleep at the wheel.”
“Coffee sounds good. But you’re tired and have to work in a few hours.”
Her shoulders slumped. “Don’t remind me. At this point I’m not going to bed. If I do, it’ll be worse. So you might as well come in and have a cup. Consider it keeping me company for a while, not that seven hours in a car wasn’t enough.” She opened her door and said, “I can’t believe you’re not hightailing it out of here.”
Dylan entered and closed the door behind him. “Charlene isn’t the only one who was stressed by that incident.”
Sofia nodded. “I guess so. No matter how much I told myself not to think the worst, I did.”
“She’s your friend. It’s natural to care. Hell, I don’t even know her and I felt for her situation.”
And that just makes me like you even more.Sofia turned away and started scooping out coffee from the container and putting it in the filter. “You’re not at all like I thought you’d be,” she said.
“And is that a good thing?” Dylan asked.
“Yes.”
“What did you expect?” he asked.
Sofia shrugged. “I’m not sure. Maybe someone arrogant. Kind of an ass. Not so caring.”
“That sounds like me. Maybe you just don’t want to see it.”
She poured water into the back and pushed the button. “Maybe. Or maybe you don’t want people to see the more sensitive side of you. I bet you watch Hallmark movies.”
Dylan laughed so hard it echoed through her apartment. “You’d better hurry up with that coffee, because you’re delusional now.”
Sofia turned around and put her hands on her hips. “I’m not joking. You’re not as tough as you pretend to be.”
Dylan stepped closer so they were only inches apart. “Sofia, you’re playing a dangerous game.”
She looked up into his dark eyes. They were filled with frustration, exhaustion and maybe…desire. “I’m not playing Dylan. You’re…different than anyone I’ve dated.”
“I’m sure I am. But there is a lot you don’t know about me, Sofia. Things you don’t want to, either.”
She eyed him and almost said they have a few hours before she had to be at work, but he was right, there was plenty she didn’t know. The same went for him. Sofia had opened up to him more than she had many people. Actually, only Charlene knew her little secrets. Probably better that way, too.
“Okay, we’ll save our…imperfections for when it’s time to have my parents believe we can’t stand each other.”
Dylan laughed. “Maybe we can just make them up. They’d be a lot less…”
“Interesting?” she asked.
“Let’s just say that being a Lawson comes with its good and bad things.”