Page 160 of Between Regrets and Promises

So I thought I’d plan a get-together at our favorite bar tonight for your promotion. We haven’t celebrated, and you deserve it.

A smile touches my lips.

Mason

I’d love that. What time?

Sophie

When are you leaving work? What about after?

Mason

Six works for me.

Sophie

Alright! Consider it done. See you then

I love it when she’s easygoing and playful like this. Those are the times I used to take for granted but not anymore. It warmsmy heart to hear she wants to plan this because honestly, I wasn’t making a big deal out of it. This proves how caring she is because lately, we’ve been staying home. It’s her safe space, so it’s a big step for her to want to go out with our friends.

I meticulously sort through the cases Jerad gave me for the rest of my shift. The guy who had this position before me retired, which means I’ve had to pick up right where he left off. While everyone knew he’d be leaving, there wasn’t a handoff period, so I’ve been playing catch-up since the moment I accepted the position, but I can’t complain.

Before I head over to the Coliseum, I get a text from Serena asking to hang out since she’s in the area. I explain where I’m going and invite her to come out with us to celebrate my promotion. It’ll be like old times.

It doesn’t take me long to get there, and when I walk inside and see everyone sitting together, I smile. I didn’t realize how much I’ve missed this until now.

When I get closer, I hear Sophie and Lennon laughing about something. Sophie instantly stops talking when her eyes meet mine, and she gets up and gives me an unexpected hug. She wraps her arms around me, and I do the same, inhaling the scent of her sweet shampoo before she pulls away.

“Congratulations,officially!” she squeals, and they all chime in after her.

“About damn time! They should’ve given you that position forever ago.” Liam lifts his beer, then chugs it. “Tab is on you tonight since you’re rich now.”

Maddie snorts, and I roll my eyes as I sit across from Sophie. Before I can say anything, Serena’s voice echoes behind me. She tells everyone hello and sits in the chair next to me.

Serena leans over and gives me a hug. “Look at you, dressed all nice, looking professional.” She tugs on the collar of my shirt, making a show of it, and I shake my head at her mocking tone.

“You need to come around more often if you think this is out of the ordinary.” I laugh, smoothing my hands down my shirt.

Hunter goes to the bar and orders a round of drinks for all of us except for Lennon, who is stuck with water and lemon. “Sometimes being pregnant sucks.” She groans with a frown after we all get our glasses.

Maddie sips on her soda. “Sometimes being twenty sucks! But I mean, if any of you wanna buy me a drink, I won’t tell. It can be our little secret.”

Sophie gives her a pointed look, and we all crack up.

“You’re gonna be a handful when you turn twenty-one,” I tell her.

“Gonna bea handful? As in she’s not already?” Lennon gives Maddie a wink.

We order food, and while we wait for our food, Serena leans in close to prevent the entire table from overhearing and asks, “You been doing okay? You haven’t been answering my calls. I need to talk to you about something. Somethingimportant.”

“Yeah, everything’s as fine as it can be,” I say honestly. “Just been working a lot.”

“So that merits ignoring me?” she teases.

“Sorry, Mom. You gonna spank me for being bad?” I mock her mothering behavior.

I hear Sophie inhale a sharp breath and realize she’s heard that last bit and probably not the first part of our conversation, and I’m not sure how she’s interpreted it. When I look at her, she quickly shifts toward Maddie who’s talking Liam’s ear off. Not sure what to think of her reaction, I finish my drink, then use it as my opportunity to speak to her.

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