Page 22 of A Pen Pal for Christmas

Her head shot up, her dark eyes narrowing. “Yes.”

“Because you’re saying that like you’re trying to convince both of us.”

Sofia opened her mouth to retort but stopped, her jaw tightening. A long breath escaped her, and she glanced away.“I’ll tell you the same thing I told Tommy. I don’t need someone riding in to save me.”

Her voice cracked slightly on the last words, and I felt it like a punch to the chest. I took a step forward, softening my tone as I let my arms fall to my sides. “Can I just ask why you’d rather handle it yourself than let someone help you? It doesn’t have to be me, but you can let your brother help.”

She looked up at me, her eyes shining with frustration. “Tommy means well, but he’s always had his own stuff going on. Everyone does. So, I’ve had to figure it out on my own every time.”

I crouched in front of her, bringing myself to her eye level. “That’s their failure, not yours.”

Her lips parting slightly in surprise.

“You’re allowed to let people in,” I added, holding her gaze. “Even if it doesn’t feel natural. You deserve that. And if you’re worried about Tommy having too much of his own stuff going on, let me help. I’m on leave. I’ve got nothing else to do anyway.”

That wasn’t exactly true, but it was true enough. I could help Sofia and find myself a place to live near my new job. How hard could it be?

Sofia blinked, clearly startled by the offer. “You don’t even know me.”

“Maybe not,” I said, shrugging one shoulder. “But I’ve got a pretty good sense for people. You don’t strike me as someone who asks for help, even when you might need it.”

Her lips parted slightly, but she didn’t respond right away. Finally, she said, “What if I don’t know how to do that?”

I let her words hang in the air, studying her face. She was fierce, no doubt about that. But it made sense that it wasn’t just that she didn’t want help; it was that she didn’t expect it. Like the idea of someone stepping in and staying had never really crossed her mind. I couldn’t say why that bothered me so much, but itdid. And it only made me more certain that I’d be here for her, whether she wanted me to or not.

“Then I’ll just hang out across the hall,” I said with a faint smirk. “No strings. But if you ever do need backup, you’ve got it.”

Sofia stared at me, her expression unreadable. Then, to my surprise, she smiled—a real one, soft and genuine. Her smile lingered for a moment before she looked away, her gaze dropping to her hands. “Thanks,” she said quietly.

I straightened from my crouch before her. “Anytime.”

I moved toward the door, but something made me glance back. Sofia was still sitting on the bed, her shoulders a little less tense, the slightest hint of a smile playing on her lips. I felt a pang of something I couldn’t quite name, and then it settled deep in my chest.

“Staying in tonight?” I asked, unable to help myself.

She smirked. “Why? Would you offer to be my overprotective bodyguard if I said no?”

“That depends on where you wanted to go.”

“Strolling through town, looking at the Christmas lights?”

I turned to face her fully, pretending to think carefully about my answer. “Nah, I’m a huge Christmas nerd, so I’d be off duty if you wanted to look at lights. I’ll just tag along for purely selfish reasons.”

“And what if I said I don’t believe you?” she challenged.

I considered this. “You’d be right. So… I think we need to make a little deal.”

“What kind of deal?”

“I promise to be straight with you. If you want to look at Christmas lights, I promise to admit that I’m coming along as your overprotective bodyguard, even if that is super cringy.”

“Deals usually have two sides,” she said, her chin lifting as she held my gaze. “What do I have to promise in return?”

I grinned. “That if you need help, you’ll ask for it.”

“I see what you did there.” Sighing, Sofia moved to her desk and picked up a book. “I’m staying in. Gonna read a little more, go to bed early. Hope I don’t get any other unexpected visitors.”

“Ouch.”

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