Page 29 of A Simple Reminder
Adeline just sighs. “Just be careful. There’s a vibe, and I don’t like it.”
I push her warning aside, shifting the conversation. “So, what brings you here today?”
Adeline's expression brightens. “Well, I haven't seen or heard from you since the club, so I thought, why not come by and invite you to dinner at our place tonight? It’s lasagna and game night.”
The thought of going to Sophie’s place makes my mind race with questions. Will she even want me there? What if it feels awkward, or worse, like I’m intruding?
Adeline senses my hesitation. Her lips curl slightly, amusement flickering in her eyes. “Why the hesitation? We both know you’ll come. This was more of a ‘hey, youarecoming’ rather than a question.”
Her playful tone and confident demeanor make me chuckle, easing some tension and overthinking. It’s just dinner. And if Adeline is cooking, I’m in.
“Of course, I’ll come.”
“Great,” Adeline replies, her smile widening. “Be at our place at seven p.m.”
Before I can respond, the door opens, and Sophie walks in. She’s wearing a crisp white suit, her golden hair pulled back into a sleek ponytail that highlights her graceful features.
She looks composed and professional, yet there’s always a certain warmth about her.
Her eyes sparkle with curiosity as she looks between us. “What's happening at seven?”
Adeline turns to her with a grin. “Liam is joining us for lasagna and game night.”
Sophie pauses, her eyes flickering with surprise before she masks it behind a practiced smile. “How fun! You’ll love Addie’s lasagna.” She licks her lips, the quick, unconscious gesture betraying her nerves. “It’s the best.”
She’s nervous.
“I toldthe team to keep it fresh and light. Maybe have the walls of the breakfast area beige,” Sophie says, her voice muffled as she chews thoughtfully on the end of her pencil. She’s been doing this for the last fifteen minutes, clearly lost in thought about the planned color scheme for the larger spaces.
“Beige is such a dull color, though,” I respond with a teasing half-smile, enjoying the playful back-and-forth.
Sophie shoots me a look, mock annoyance dancing in her gaze as she pauses, her pencil resting between her lips. “Dull? Beige is classic and versatile. Besides, we’ll add some greenery. I’m thinking about Monstera plants to liven it up.” I’m not particularly invested in whether it’s beige or yellow, but I find the way she reacts amusing.
“They’ll look great next to the Swiss cheese,” I quip, trying to keep a straight face.
She laughs, a bright, melodious sound filling the room. “Well, as long as the plants don’t feel overshadowed by the real cheese, I think we’re good.”
This.
I’ve wanted banter and laughter without awkward tension hanging over us for the past two years. I know we might never reach my friendship level with Adeline, but I want Soph in my life. We were friends first, and that's something I hope we can return to. Preferablymorethan friends, but baby steps.
Just as I’m savoring this moment, a knock on the closed door interrupts, pulling us out of the bubble we’ve created. “Come in,” I call out, my tone sharper than I intended.
Lilly steps in, her expression neutral but her eyes hinting at something more. “Your four o'clock is here,” she announces.
Fuck. Not now. This is not the right time for this. Not at all.
“You can step right in,” Lilly continues, her voice tinged with a strange satisfaction. “He’s been expecting you.”
A tall man in a sharp blue suit steps into the office, portfolio in hand, exuding practiced confidence.
“Thank you, Lilly,” he says smoothly.
Sophie’s expression changes instantly. Her smile falters as she looks up and meets his gaze. “Jared?”
Jared. That’s his name.How does she know his name?
“Sophie,” he replies, his smile widening slightly.
