His hands tighten on the steering wheel. “We can go if you want to.”
His offer means more than I can express. “I told him no.”
“Sounds like she’s going to be in your life now,” Z says.
What is that future going to look like? Christmas dinners with Sophie and my brother?
Oh shit.As far as I know, Hope and Sophie never mended their friendship. How’s Hope going to feel about me spending time with Sophie? Hope’s my club sister. And truthfully, she’s been a better friend to me than Sophie ever was. She’s always there for me when I need anything. She treats Chance like her own and he adores his Auntie Hope.
“What am I going to say to Hope?” I blurt out.
“That girl doesn’t have a spiteful bone in her body,” he answers with calm certainty. “Hope’s not going to hold it against you if you hang out with Sophie every now and then.” He snorts. “Knowing her, she’ll find it romantic that Alex and Sophie are together.”
“You’re probably right.”
Even so, worry eats at me for the rest of the drive.
CHAPTERFOUR
Hope
“I’m back,”Rock shouts.
“Up here!” I check my costume in the mirror one more time.
“Daddy!” Grace yelps.
“Go get your cape to show Daddy,” I say to Grace. She nods enthusiastically and scurries to her room.
Rock unlatches the baby gate at the top of the stairs and steps into our room a few seconds later. Something rustles behind his back. “Almost ready?”
“Yup.”
He pulls a thick bouquet of purple and orange roses wrapped in black and purple paper from behind his back. “Happy Halloween, baby doll.”
“Oh!” I gasp and hurry closer, gently taking the flowers from him. “These are beautiful. Where’d you find them?”
He half-shrugs. “A small thank you for putting up with all of this club stuff today.”
“I’m looking forward to it.” I step back and spin for him to check out my costume. “I’m going to the Furious party like this. Then I’ll change into my other costume at the clubhouse.”
“You’re the sexiest granny I’ve ever laid eyes on.” Rock runs his gaze over my kid-appropriate costume for the afternoon.
I tug at the red dress and white apron and dip in a half-curtsy. “A little preview of what’s to come a few decades from now, Mr. President.”
Laughter flickers over his lips and he tugs on my white bonnet. “Looking forward to it.”
I stick my nose in the roses, inhaling their rich scent. “I really love these. Thank you.”
“Momma!” Grace toddles into our bedroom, dragging her little red velvet cape behind her.
Rock squats to her level and reaches for the cape. Grace yanks it out of his grasp.
“Do you want to wear it now or when we get to the party?” he asks her.
She frowns at the cape, then up at me.
“You can hold it,” I assure her.