Page 39 of Changing Tides

Liam: Night, Sophie.

22

LIAM

After I say goodnight to Ellie and peek in at Lucy, I fall into bed, but I’m restless. It was nice to spend a little time with Ellie tonight. We haven’t spent an evening together without Lucy in a while and she seemed happy when I asked her to visit for a bit. In true Ellie form though, when I told her Sophie was at yoga too, she had to make sure she put a warning label on it for me.

Ellie means well; she doesn’t want to see me or Sophie get hurt. In some ways she is right, I am not in the right headspace to start a new relationship. Based on what Sophie has shared with me, neither is she.

That conversation with Ellie is why I kept it kosher when I got a flirty text from Sophie a little while later. It would have been very easy for me to take the conversation a step further, but I stopped myself. Being near her tonight did something to me that I haven’t felt in a long time, maybe ever. I just haven’t figured out what it means yet.

“Ugh,” I groan. My mind is jumbled with thoughts of Sophie, and I need to clear it. I prop my pillows up and reach for my phone, sleep eluding me. I go to my Perry Street Boys group text.

Me: Boys, let’s go out tomorrow night.

Jack: I’m in. Can wives come though because Steph isn’t going to deal with me being gone a second Saturday in a row.

Danny: Same. I’m in if Kristen can come.

Miles: Wives suck.

I laugh.Nothing like Miles chiming in. He got divorced about a year ago and since then has nothing nice to say about women and relationships.

Me: Fine, Miles, I’ll be your wingman.

Miles: Done. I’m in.

I fireoff a quick text to Ellie asking if Lucy can sleep over at her house tomorrow night. I know I am asking a lot of her but tonight was only for about an hour and a half. If she says no, I’ll bail out, but I could really use a night with my friends. I try to convey that to Ellie in the text and she writes back almost immediately.

Ellie: What are neighbor grandmas for? So long as you stay out of trouble.

Me: No promises.

* * *

Saturday morningI decide I am going to be productive, especially if Ellie is helping me out again tonight. I wake up early and bring Lucy outside to Ellie’s front yard with me and set her on a blanket with some toys. She isn’t walking yet so I don’t have to worry about her going too far. I decided late last night to weed Ellie’s front garden. Once spring is really underway, she is usually outside doing it herself, but I couldn’t help noticing she hasn’t gotten to it yet. It’s only 8 a.m., and her house is quiet. I get right to work, yanking the dead stuff, and using a shovel for the stubborn ones. I glance at Lucy every few moments who is happy just looking at her books and toys, hanging out in the shade of Ellie’s weeping willow.

I’ve got a good number of weeds and branches cleared out and put in a pile when I hear Ellie’s front door open. I wipe the sweat from my brow, and look up to see Sophie, looking cute as ever in a pair of black biker shorts, and a tank top. She notices Lucy first and is making funny faces at her. “Are you out here by yourself, Lucy girl?” she coos.

“Hi,” I wave at her from the garden bed.

Hi,” she gives me a wave and jogs down the steps. “You’re working on Ellie’s garden, that’s so nice,” she gushes.

I stand up and dust off my hands on my old jeans. “Yeah, well, she does a lot for me, and I have convinced her to watch Lucy again tonight, so I want to do her a favor.” Then as an afterthought I add, “It’s Saturday night. I figured you might be busy…”Now I’m wondering if she actually is.

Sophie nods. “Got it. Well, that’s nice. Listen, I wanted to ask you… Since yoga isn’t your usual thing, is there a gym you belong to that you like? I think it’s time I get some regular exercise.”

“Yes, of course. I go to Local Fitness on the main strip, not far from where we were last night. You can probably walk there.” I point up the road. “If you wanted to wait for me, I could take you…” I trail off.

“Oh, no. I’ll be fine.” Sophie waves her hand. “You’ve got your hands full right now anyway.”

“If you’re sure,” I say, feeling desperate to spend time with her.

“Yep! I’m good,” she chirps enthusiastically. “I am going to go see about signing up then.” She turns and starts walking quickly away from me leaving me wondering what in the world is going on in her head.

* * *

A little while later,Ellie comes barreling down her front step. “Liam! I was going to do that,” she huffs. “I just haven’t gotten to it yet.” She bends down to pick up Lucy and for a moment I think how grateful I am to have this relationship. I think Ellie must be grateful too. It’s amazing how natural it is for her to love on me and Lucy. We’re the children she never got to have herself, and she loves nurturing us.

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