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“Huh?” Noah asked.
Mike smiled. “I asked if you’d like to go golfing tomorrow?”
Noah tried not to show any panic, tossing a quick glance over at Sophie who frowned apologetically. Her eyes told him it was okay to say no.
“I, uhm—”
“You like to golf, right? If you’re busy tomorrow, I have another tee time booked for next Saturday,” Mike told him.
Sophie cut him off. “Dad, I don’t think Noah—”
There was so much pressure. He could see Sophie’s mind reeling for excuses.
“Yeah, tomorrow works for me,” Noah blurted. Sophie blinked in disbelief. “I love to golf. I used to play with my father.”
Technically, it wasn’t a lie; Richard had taken him golfing plenty of times, but only so he could meet important clients. It was also a monthly ritual for Bradley and him to get together, drink beers and golf.
He didn’t know why he agreed. It felt like he would be letting Sophie down by not going. It already felt like he wasn’t giving the same amount that she was in their arrangement. Hopefully this was a way for him to even the score.
“Great,” Mike said. “I’ll see you there. Nine a.m. at The Ridge.”
Noah smiled in response.
They began to discuss different courses that they had played on and even bonded over their favorite brand of clubs. By the end of the evening Noah felt better about spending time with Mike tomorrow, excited even. Both parents hugged him again before departing. Sophie didn’t seem to think twice about it but Noah’s family had never been big on displays of affection.
On their way back to Sophie’s apartment, she was quiet. It unnerved Noah. The last time she was quiet she ignored him for a week.
“You know you don’t have to go tomorrow, right?” she said nervously.
“I know,” he stated. “I want to. I like your dad,” he said more convincingly.
They pulled into her parking lot. “If you’re sure…”
“I am. I told you this is my time to be more involved in our agreement. You’re doing so much for me, all the appointments and the planning… It’s only fair that I do the same for you.”
“Well, I hope you guys have fun, then.”
“Don’t forget we have the engagement shoot next weekend withNova. I suppose it would be a good time to announce the pregnancy as well. Two birds with one stone,” he said as she climbed out of the car.
“Sounds good.” She smiled, then. A real smile. “Text me if you want any advice for tomorrow.”
* * *
The next morning, Noah met Sophie’s father at The Ridge.
It took a while, but eventually Noah’s anxiety started to ease. After their fourth hole, her father even began cracking jokes at his expense.
Noah had never considered himself to be a pro, not by a long way, but Sophie’s father was making him look like an amateur.
“You’re pretty good at this,” Noah admitted. “Or should I say, above par.”
“I see the dad jokes are already starting to come in.” Mike laughed, setting up for his next swing. Which thankfully, prevented him from seeing Noah’s face.
When he was finished, Mike turned to him, a more serious look on his face. “I hate to ask, and it’s not really any of my business but… this engagement, was it only because—”
“No,” Noah interrupted. “I proposed to Sophie a few weeks before we found out she was pregnant.”
Mike nodded, seeming to take in what he said. “She’s an amazing woman, my daughter. Always knew what she wanted out of life.”
