Page 24 of Between Regrets and Promises

A real job. Unfortunately. Out of town again. I should be back in a few days, though. We should get together.

Sophie

We should. You still need to meet my little sis.

Liam

If she’s anything like you…hard pass.

Sophie

Don’t worry. She’s worse than me. Wayyyyy worse.

Maddie leans over and sneaks a peek at my phone screen, but I try to hide it from her. “Ooh. Who’s Liam?”

Lennon arches a brow. “Just one of the guys. Seeing where he’s at.”

“And that’s it?” Lennon asks, almost suspicious of our friendship.

“Yes, we’rejustfriends. And I’m not just saying that. What we have is strictly platonic.” I make eye contact with Lennon, and she backs off.

“Is he hot?” Maddie asks.

“Oh my God, Mads. You act like you’re in heat.” I let out a chuckle, but it trails off when Mason, Brandon, and Hunter walk through the door. The three of them look like superheroes coming to save the day in their tight T-shirts that leave no room for imagination.

Lennon waves when she makes eye contact with Brandon. He seems to glide across the room toward her and doesn’t stop until their lips smack together. Brandon slides into the booth next to her, and Mason and Hunter go to the bar. Neither says hello.

“What crawled up their asses and died?” Maddie grunts, and I snort.

“This is my little sister, Maddie,” Lennon introduces her to Brandon.

“Nice to finally meet you in person.” He glances at me and Maddie, then back at Lennon. “They were right, babe. You really might be adopted.”

Lennon slaps him on the arm, and I snort.

“You told him about that?” I ask.

We used to tease her when we were kids because she was the only blond in a family of brunettes. One time, she cried about it, and Mom took me to the side and told me to stop saying it. Our grandma had blond hair, and Lennon looks just like her, sothere’s zero doubt about her being my sister, but she always felt left out.

“He knows everything about me,” she says, leaning into him for a kiss.

“You two are gross,” I tease just as Mason and Hunter walk up with their drinks.

Hunter eyes Maddie, and she gives him a smoldering grin. Lennon looks like she’s about to combust as she narrows her eyes at him.

“And who’s this?” Hunter asks, and I snicker, knowing how he loves to get under Lennon’s skin.

“My little sister, Maddie. She’s off-limits, so don’t even think about it.” She stresses every word. “This is Hunter and Mason,” she continues, waving her hand out toward them.

“Hi, boys,” Maddie says, and Lennon gives herthelook.

Mason glances at me, and for a split second, it feels like time freezes. His eyes meet mine, and I open my mouth to say something, but he looks away before I can speak. Awkwardness streams between us, and I’m happy when Brandon changes the subject, pulling the attention away before anyone notices the tension.

“Hey, Sophie. What’s up?” Hunter nearly finishes his beer in one pull.

“Hey, how are you?” I ask, being polite.

He shrugs and gives me a smirk. “Just dealing with your sister who’s a pain in my ass.”

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