Page 104 of Between Regrets and Promises

It’s Thursday morning, and I hadn’t anticipated seeing him until tonight.

“You two. Fucking finally!” He charges in, dropping his bag on the floor. He surprises us both when he wraps his long arms around us in a group hug. “I was getting blue balls from your lack of fucking.”

“Christ, Evans,” I mutter, pushing him away.

Sophie turns around as my arms fall to her waist. “Liam! We’re not jumping back into bed together, so calm the hell down.”

Liam chuckles as he helps himself to some coffee. “Good, Sophie. Make the fucker wait it out for being a pussy and putting you in the friend-zone the past few years.”

I roll my eyes and groan, but Sophie laughs. “Not a bad idea.”

“Funny. Both of you.” I release my hold on Sophie. “Why don’t you tell Liam howHart of Dixieseason two ends?”

“What? You assholes watched my show without me!” Liam shouts, nearly spewing his coffee all over.

“Mason!” Sophie scolds with her hands on her hips.

“Gotta shower and get ready for work…” I rush toward the stairs. “Unless you feel like joining me…”

“Sorry, big guy. I don’t swing that way,” Liam quips. “But I’ll come soap you up if you want!” His loud footsteps come closer as Sophie’s laughter echoes.

“Stay away from me, asshole!” I call out, taking the steps two at a time in a hurry to the bathroom.

I finish my workday early, glad to be able to come home to Sophie and spend extra time together. The guys at work have been giving me shit all week for the extra pep in my step, but I don’t give a fuck. Sophie being mine has been years in the making, and I’m going to do everything in my power not to fuck it up this time. I can’t. She’s way too important to me and building a real relationship with her is my number one priority.

The moment I enter the house, I hear a sweet melody coming from a violin. She’s taken on a new student, and I never get tired of hearing her play or seeing the way her face lights up when she’s talking about music.

I quietly walk into the living room, trying not to disturb them, but as soon as I round the corner, I trip on a pair of shoes and nearly tumble into the couch, making noise along the way.

“Shit, sorry.” I straighten myself.

Sophie’s eyes widen, and the little girl she’s teaching starts to giggle.

“Crap. I meant crap. Sorry.” I hold up my hands, walking backward. “Sorry.”

“Is that your boyfriend?” the girl asks, and I notice the blush on Sophie’s cheeks.

“Uh…” Sophie stammers, blinking. “Why don’t we start from the top, okay? Your mom will be here soon.”

I arch a brow, smirking. She rolls her eyes at me, and I walk into the kitchen chuckling.

Twenty minutes later, Sophie wraps her arms around my waist from behind once her student leaves. “Any chance you’re cooking dinner for two? Because it smells good.”

“Hmm…that depends.” I place one hand over hers that are locked against my torso.

“Oh yeah? On what?” she asks.

I put the lid on the pan, then turn around to face her, keeping her arms wrapped around me. Tilting her chin, I smirk and look into her eyes. “On what your answer to her question was.”

Sophie’s eyes narrow. “Really? You’re gonna hold an eight-year-old’s question against me?”

“I mean, I’d rather be holding something else against you, but now that the question is out there…” I grin, wondering if she’ll dodge it or not. Though I’m only messing with her, I enjoy watching her squirm.

“Let’s see how good this meal is first. Can’t be locked into anything with someone who can’t cook.”

I laugh at her attempt to get out of answering. “Well, fuck am I glad I made one of my best dishes.”

Sophie steps back then grabs two plates and starts setting the table. “Am I setting one for Liam?”

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