Page 204 of Between Regrets and Promises

“You have everything packed?” I ask Sophie the morning after Thanksgiving.

It’s been three weeks since I learned about Serena and my dad. After telling him to kiss my ass and that neither me nor Serena were going to lie on his behalf, he basically told me to “prepare” for the worst. Then I told him to fuck off and blocked his number.

He should be kissingmyass, considering I could tell his wife, and she could do whatever she wants with the information. But knowing Hallie, she won’t do anything. She loves her luxurious lifestyle too much to rock the boat. On top of that, it’d be my little sister Michaela paying the price, and I don’t want her involved in any of his scandals either. She’s only five, and even if our father’s a piece of shit, he spends time with her and gives her anything she wants. I’d rather she have some kind of father figure than be left with nothing.

“Just about ready!” she calls out.

When I walk into her room and lean against the doorframe, I smirk at the mess on her bed. “What’re you doing?” I ask with a chuckle. It doesn’t look like she’s started.

“Wondering if I have room for one more book…” She digs through three large books and hums.

“You plan to read on this date?” I tease, walking in and spinning her around. “Because I’m thinking you’re gonna be a little too busy.”

Sophie wraps her arms around my neck and pulls me in for a kiss. “Haven’t you learned by now that I’m quite good at multitasking?”

“You think that’s funny, but…”

She cuts me off with another kiss.

“It’s funny because it’s true. Plus, I don’t know where we’re going, so maybe I can read in the car. I don’t know what type of clothes to pack.” She turns toward the empty suitcase. “Sweater weather?”

I tighten my grip on her stomach as my chest presses against her back. “You’re gonna be naked, so you don’t need clothes.”

She smirks over her shoulder. “Well, I’m not gonna go out to eat naked, so tell me what to bring.”

It’s in the sixties this time of year, so I tell her to take some sweaters and mostly comfortable clothes. That seems to be helpful enough for her to grab things out of her closet.

An hour later, we’re zipping our suitcases, and once I finish loading up my truck, I walk inside to grab my wallet and phone. “I better not come back to a trashed house,” I warn Liam who’s sitting on the couch eating a huge bowl of cereal. He’s practically naked and already acting like we aren’t home.

He snickers. “I’ll have my dates clean it up. Don’t worry.”

“Don’t burn the house down,” Sophie adds. “Towels don’t belong on the stovetop.”

“That was one time!” Liam defends, but neither of us laughs at his stupidity from a couple of weeks ago.

“We’re coming home to ashes, aren’t we?” Sophie deadpans.

“You two act like I’ve never been home alone before…” Liam finally glances at us over the couch. “If I promise not to cook, will you two finally leave?”

Sophie laughs, then leans down to give him a hug. “Be good, Hulk. Stay out of my room.”

“Mine too,” I add for fun.

“Yeah, yeah. Go have abangingweekend. Ha! Get it?” Liam laughs at his own joke while Sophie rolls her eyes.

“So what’re you gonna do for the next few days?” Sophie asks. At first, she felt bad leaving him behind on a holiday weekend, but I doubt it’s going to be a hardship for him, considering how much he travels alone. He’s used to it and probably prefers it.

“Eat chocolate and watch porn,” Liam answers without a beat.

“And that’s our cue to go.”

“What? There are some good videos on there!” Liam calls over his shoulder as we make a beeline for the door.

“Sadly, he’s not joking,” I mock with a laugh.

“Bye, Liam!” Sophie calls out before we shut the door and walk to the truck.

I open her door and kiss her before she gets inside. I can’t wait to surprise her. This date has been months in the making, and there have been some holdups, but it’s finally happening. If all goes right, it’s going to be the most magical weekend of her life.

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