Page 87 of The Exception

Dani’s nose scrunched. “Could you have gotten caught?”

“In all likelihood, no. But that’s not the point. We set a rule and he broke it. Anyway, I think maybe I hurt his feelings.”

“Sonya, we’re all used to your unemotional, head-driven responses. It’s why you give great advice when the rest of us are crying in our ice cream. But when someone’s been inside you, you have to give them a little more. Especially when they’re new to the Sonya Effect.”

Sonya narrowed her eyes. “What’s the Sonya Effect?”

“It’s when you say something completely withering and expect people to take it with the love its intended. Like when Dylan and I started dating and you said I was too old for dumb boys and too young for a midlife crisis. You have to ease people into that type of tough love.”

Sonya felt her ears get warm. “I don’t sugar coat,” she said. She wasn’t defending herself, more realizing something from a different perspective.

“How exactly did you react?”

“I told him not thinking wasn’t an option, and then he tried to explain and I told him not to take his personal issues out on me.”

“Ouch.”

“That’s kind of what he said. I know I was wrong, but when he gets snarky and smug, it makes me want to throttle him.”

Dani was silent for a few beats, chewing on the end of her pen. “Look, I think we both know it wasn’t just the distance that kept you and Marcus from having it out. He just didn’t spark that kind of reaction in you. I liked Marcus, but he could be a little bit of a know-it-all. You, being you, it always surprised me that you never called him on anything. It was like you didn’t care enough to engage.”

Sonya sank into her seat with that revelation. Where was this advice before she ran off to elope with the man? Though, she would have had a hard time taking it back then.

Dani smiled. “Trav’s been getting under your skin from the moment you two met. I may have been kidding about the supply closet sex, but I wasn’t kidding about the two of you just needing to bone for God’s sake. The first time you mentioned his name, I could tell you were “do me now” mad.”

Sonya groaned. “That sounds ridiculously dysfunctional, Dani.”

“Says your textbooks maybe, but you know it’s true. Passion is a good thing, but like cake, and margaritas, and almost all good things—you don’t get to enjoy it scot free.”

“This dynamic doesn’t work for everyone. Can you imagine Cat and Josh interacting like that? Neither one of them could take it.”

“Cat has issues, and I’m convinced Josh was born without an anger gene. Look, even when I’m mad at Dylan, we always fight fair. He’s obnoxious and perverted, but he’s sweet and loyal too. I try to remember that. And just so we’re clear, I’d fight anyone on his behalf.”

“I know.” Sonya wasn’t above admitting that Dylan and Dani had turned out all right if this was the relationship advice she was getting from Dani six months later.

“Just try to take Trav’s sensitive little soul into consideration from now on. It might be the perfect balance to your…you.”

Sonya nodded, that guilt making her cheeks burn again.

“And definitely channel some of that fire next time you two are naked. He looks strong. That could be fun.”

Dani winked, and Sonya shook her head, but she was smiling. “Good night, Dani.”

“Good night, friend.”

Thirty-three

After an eight-mile run at the gym and a stop at his new favorite take-out joint, Trav was carrying his dinner to his front door when his phone rang.

His heart turned into a ping pong ball in his chest. He’d been debating for the last hour whether he should call Sonya and apologize—not if, actually. When. But maybe she’d beat him to it.

He shuffled his food into one hand and pulled his phone out of the pocket of his sweatpants. And his shoulders dropped.

He’d never be disappointed to see Marielle’s name on his phone, but it was a different kind of happy.

“Hey.”

Marielle tutted. “You ‘hey’ me now?”

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