Page 62 of Her Forever SEAL

“Yes, it is.”

Lydia looked at her for another moment. She made a sound that wasn't quite a sigh. “Come on.”

“I don't need⁠—”

“The guest room is made up.” Her voice left no room for a counter-argument.

“I should really go home.”

“You really shouldn’t.”

The look on Lydia’s face made Sophia want to laugh. Almost.

“Look, Sophia, Either you want to function tomorrow or you don't. That's the only choice you have right now.” She held out her hand. “I'll wake you if anything changes.”

Sophia looked at her friend. At almost twenty years of history with this woman standing in front of her.

She followed her to the bedroom.

The guest room was cool and dark and smelled faintly of the lavender Lydia kept in the linen closet. Sophia sat on the edge of the bed and stared at the wall and told herself she would not sleep. She needed to think. She needed to plan. She needed to figure out what the beginning meant and what came next and how to⁠—

The phone in her hand vibrated.

She looked down.

Mason.

Her thumb fumbled as she answered.

“Soph.” His voice came through the line, rough and low and beautiful.

She pressed the phone to her ear with both hands.

“I got your message,” he said. “Tell me you're safe right now.”

“I’m safe at Lydia’s. The girls are safe at Beth’s.”

A breath. She heard something move in the background—equipment, voices, nobody she recognized. “Good. Listen to me. I'm coming home.”

The relief hit her like a tsunami.

“When will you be here?”

“I’m not sure, baby. As soon as I can.”

“I love you so much, Mason.”

“I know that, Sophia. I always know that. I love you too. Kiss our babies for me.”

“I will.”

“Stay safe.”

“Stay smart.”

The line went dead.

Sophia lowered the phone.