Page 67 of A Pen Pal for Christmas

I knew he wouldn’t do it since he’d been out of the Marine Corps for years, but he probably didn’t blame his wife for trying. I sure wouldn’t.

I let the conversation about the ball flow around me, leaning back in my chair and taking a long sip of my beer. Outwardly, I was relaxed, just one of the guys. But my mind was still spinning. Despite Jamie’s assurances, the mention of Dane had put me on edge.

It wasn’t just Dane, though. It was the mess of cliches that my life had become. The calm before the storm. Not knowing when the other shoe would drop. Waiting for the rug to be pulled out from under me.

It was exhausting.

Something happened on the TV, and the guys broke out in a heated debate about who’d win the game on Christmas day. Exaggerated gestures and more than a little trash-talking whirled around me, and I leaned back in my chair so I wouldn’t get caught in the crossfire.

I glanced at Sofia. She was laughing at something Robin had said, her hand covering her mouth as her shoulders shook with mirth.

That laugh—it did something to me. I couldn’t hear it over the noise of the bar, but I didn’t need to. Just seeing her happy, her guard down, was enough to make the tightness in my chest ease.

She glanced up, catching my eye, and her laughter softened into a smile. I watched as she excused herself from the table with a quick word to Grace, grinning as she weaved through the bar to get to me.

I straightened as she approached, setting my beer on the table. Her steps were unhurried, but there was a purpose in the way she moved. When she reached me, she rested a hand wheremy shoulder met my neck, the touch of her skin causing my blood to run hot.

“Hi,” I said, tucking a strand of her dark hair behind her ear.

“Hi. Think they’d care if I stole you away for a second?”

I looked over my shoulder at the guys, smirking as they talked over each other, arguing their points. I turned back to Sofia. “I don’t think they’d notice.”

She chuckled as I stood, following her to a small alcove near the stone fireplace. The glow of the flames made the room feel cozy despite the buzz of the bar around us.

“Having a good night?” I asked, leaning a shoulder against the wall and taking her hand.

She nodded, taking up the same position and facing me. “Yeah. The girls are… Well, let’s just say there’s no shortage of teasing. You’re a popular topic.”

“Me?” I raised an eyebrow. “Should I be worried?”

“Not unless you’re afraid of being called my ‘perfect bodyguard boyfriend’ a few too many times.” She smirked, then tilted her head slightly. “Well, mostly perfect. Grace says you’re a jerk for not letting me see the house until Christmas morning. She’s on my side, in case you couldn’t tell.”

“So… the other day, I got in trouble for giving you a giftbeforeChristmas. And now I’m in trouble for waiting for Christmas morning,” I said dryly.

“Is that a question?” she asked.

“Statement,” I replied, smiling down at her as we called up our first conversation. “The timing of the house reveal is non-negotiable. You’ll thank me later.”

Her eyes sparkled. “We’ll see.” Then, her expression softened, and she stepped a little closer. “Thank you, by the way. For keeping an eye out so I can relax with the girls tonight. I know I tease you about being overprotective?—”

“As do your friends.” I tilted my head. “And my friends,” I added.

“Har-har. We tease you, fine. But thank you. I’m trying to pretend there’s nothing to worry about, and I hope someday that’s actually true.”

“It will be.”

She nodded, then took a deep breath. “In the meantime, I really don’t mind having you watch my back.”

I searched her face, looking for any hint of doubt or discomfort, but all I saw was warmth. “I’m glad you don’t mind,” I said. “I’m happy to do it. Enjoy it, even.”

She leaned in a kissed me briefly, and then her gaze flicked back toward the girls’ table. “By the way, we were talking about Jamie earlier, and Robin mentioned something about him being super private about his past. Do you know anything about his son?”

I glanced at Jamie. He was leaning forward, laughing at something Jack had said. “He’s always kept to himself. I think something happened with the son… he lives out of state with family. That’s about all I’ve picked up.”

She frowned. “Yeah, Robin said she thinks there’s something more to his story. I don’t know… I feel bad for him. Like he’s going through a lot but doesn’t have anyone to talk to about it. Or help him through it. Ya know?”

I didn’t respond right away. It was almost like my brain was so occupied with the bigger mystery surrounding Sofia that I didn’t have room for more ill-fitting puzzles.

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