Page 161 of Between Regrets and Promises

“Soph, you want another one?” I ask, trying to grab her attention.

She glances and shakes her head. “No, thanks.”

I purse my lips and don’t respond. Once I’m at the bar, Hunter joins me, standing next to me with a cocked brow.

“What did you do to Sophie?” he asks.

My mouth falls open, and I roll my eyes at his accusation. “Nothing. I didn’t do anything at all, but I’m glad to know I’m not imagining shit. Things seemed fine, and then all of a sudden, something changed. Hell if I know.”

He shrugs. “Women. Probably hormones.”

I chuckle, ordering us both a shot of whiskey and a beer for me. “If only that were it.”

“I’m sure it is,” he tells me as we clank our shot glasses together, and we shoot them down.

When I’m back at the table, Serena flashes a mischievous smile. “Thanks for bringing me back a beer. What a gentleman…”

I smirk, then let her have it before returning to the bar for another. While I’m waiting, I watch the table and notice how Sophie acts when Serena tries to talk to her, and that’s when it dawns on me what her issue is…she’s jealous. Leaning against the bar, I continue to study her and how stiff and rude she’s being, and while Serena may not notice, I certainly do.

Wanting to see if my theory is correct, I go back to my chair and see the side glares Sophie throws at her. Serena tries to start a conversation about the symphony, but Sophie isn’t having it. All the answers she gives are short and to the point. Maybe I’m reading the situation wrong and she doesn’t want to talk about work since she hasn’t been there for the past month, but my gut tells me otherwise. She sees Serena as a threat, which is crazy to me. After our dinner arrives, and we finish eating, Hunter and Lennon have to go pick up Allie from the sitter, so they say their goodbyes.

Then we end up by the pool tables like old times.

“Wanna play with me?” Maddie asks Liam in such a seductive tone, it causes me to nearly choke on my drink. Liam tilts his head at Maddie, looks her up and down, and there’s no denying the attraction. I laugh when Liam adjusts himself and actively looks away from her. I don’t know how long their little cat-and-mouse game is going to last, but it’s hilarious to watch.

As the two of them allow their competitive nature to take over, Sophie sits at a high top table and drinks her martini, but she’s quiet. Taking advantage of getting her alone, I walk over to her and smile.

“Everything okay?” I ask, then take a sip of my beer. “Liam’s playing your favorite game.”

She nods without looking at me, putting a brick wall between us, one so tall, there’s no way I’m getting over it.

“Are you sure?” I ask again, just as Serena walks up and loops her arm through mine.

“Wanna play after them? See if I can beat you for once?” She shoots me a wink.

Sophie continues to sit with her jaw locked and her gaze on everything but me , and I don’t know why she’s being like this. Serena is a close friend, always has been. Plus, Sophie knows our history.

“One minute,” I tell Serena, loosening my arm from her grip, and she glances at Sophie, finally noticing how pissed she is.

“Okay. I’ll be right over there,” she sheepishly says and leaves us be.

“Go ahead.” Sophie tilts her head toward Liam, Maddie, and Serena.

I suck in a deep breath, wishing she wasn’t acting like this, wishing she knew she had nothing in the damn world to worry about. “Soph.”

“I’m about to go home,” she says matter-of-factly, pushing her still full martini away. She looks at me, grabs her clutch, andgoes to Maddie to say she’s leaving. Maddie volunteers Liam to take her home since they’re not done with their game. Seconds later, Sophie’s walking out of the door with keys in her hands and no goodbye.

Liam looks at me. “What the hell did you do?”

“I think I’m gonna head out too,” Serena interrupts before I can respond. “Call me so we can talk later, okay?”

I give her a nod and thank her for coming.

“I didn’t do shit,” I tell Liam. “I tried talking to her, and she gave me the cold shoulder.”

Maddie shakes her head.

“What?” I snap.

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