Page 180 of Between Regrets and Promises

I can tell she’s getting upset, and I give her a soft smile. “We’re just in a different place in our lives than you, Mads. He’s five years older and has a tough and demanding career. He’s been through a lot too, and relationships aren’t easy for him. You’re still in college. Your age doesn’t discredit anything, but you have to realize where Liam is in his life right now. I mean, what do you expect, to get married before your twenty-first birthday?”

Sophie returns and notices Maddie’s expression, then hands her everything.

“I don’t expect wedding bells. Just a chance and not to be treated like a kid. To be looked at like the woman I am.”

“You’ll always be my little sister. You’ve still got a lot to learn about relationships,” Sophie says, sitting on the couch next to her.

“I know,” she says, then looks at me. “Sorry. I’m just sexually frustrated.”

I burst out into laughter. “Aren’t we all?”

Sophie tenses, and I take it as my opportunity to leave them to chat. As I’m climbing the stairs, she talks to Maddie and I freeze.

“You don’t need to rush into anything. Seriously, one of the biggest mistakes I made in my life was rushing into a relationship. Let everything happen organically, and if it’s meant to be, it will happen. I promise you,” Sophie says so sweetly and patiently. “You’ll find a nice guy, someone who treats you right, and when you meet him, you’ll know he’s the one without a doubt.”

It goes quiet for a second, then Maddie speaks up. “I knew the moment I met Liam.”

And not even I can argue with that because when you know, you know.

Just as I know Sophie’s the one for me.

CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

SOPHIE

The temperatures have finally startedto drop now that the middle of October is upon us. I’ve been waiting for this for months, though I’ve been wearing sweaters and boots for weeks. Fall is my favorite season, and I count down to it every year.

This morning, I’m meeting Lennon at the doctor’s office so we can find out if I’m getting another niece or a nephew. As I make a cup of coffee to go, Mason enters the kitchen.

“You’re up early,” he says, running his fingers through his messy hair.

I take a sip of coffee and look him up and down, taking in all his muscles and the way his pants hang on his hips. Would it be inappropriate to show my therapist a picture of him so she can see what I have to look at every day? Sometimes, I think I’m ready to take our relationship to the next step, but then I second-guess everything and don’t.

Mason’s been so damn patient, letting me take the lead and never pushing me. Hell, even I’m getting blue balls at this point. But I’m making amazing progress in therapy, and the nightmares and anxiety have slowly drifted away. I still get anxious at times, but I’m way better at managing it than before.

“Lennon’s appointment is at eight, and it’s across town, so I have to get through early morning traffic,” I remind him.

He pours himself a cup and leans against the counter. “Oh yeah. I forgot. Any bets as to what you think she’s having?”

“Hmm.” I pucker my lips and tap my finger on the outside. “I think it’s a boy and so does Hunter. Lennon doesn’t have a preference. Maddie thinks it’s a girl. Well, she’s convinced it’s a girl.”

Mason grins, and I love the way his cheeks have a little dip in them. Sometimes, he catches me staring at them but doesn’t call me out on it. “Maybe it’s twins.”

“Nah, she’d know that by now, but hell, stranger things have happened.” I check the time and realize I need to finish getting ready and get going. “Love the view, but I gotta go,” I say, admiring him one last time.

“You can look anytime you want.” He shoots me a wink.

“Would it kill you to wear a shirt once in a while?” I tease, knowing damn well I don’t mind.

“Would it kill younotto wear a shirt once in a while? Then we can be twinsies.” He waggles his brows, and I snort and roll my eyes at his pathetic joke.

“Ha-ha. Bye.” I walk away before I do something stupid like reach out and touch him.

While driving to meet Lennon, a smile touches my lips. It’s finally Friday, and I’ve had a good week so far. Actually, the past few haven’t been bad. I write in my anxiety journal a little less each week, and playing my violin feels normal again. I’ve also thought about calling my old students to take up tutoring again. Right now, I’m in a good place mentally. The only thing I need to work through is Mason’s and my relationship, but I’m taking my own advice and allowing it to happen organically. Mason’s not some fling to me. He’s more than that. He always has been, and I knew the moment I met him that he wasn’t justsome guy.

When I pull into the parking lot, I park next to Lennon’s car. I take a huge gulp of coffee, then grab my clutch and head out. As soon as I enter the waiting room, I find Hunter, Lennon, and Maddie all cracking up as Allie babbles.

“Allie Cat,” I say, holding my hands out, and Lennon happily hands her over.

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