Page 106 of My Brother's Best Men
I just need to hear her say yes.
I need to hear it for my own ears, but also because the more I think about it, the more I realize how badly I want this.
A life with Sophie and the guys.
A family.
Whether she says yes or no, that’s not going to change, but…I want her to say yes.
Matt breaks away and heads for the kitchen as Sophie looks at me in question. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing,” I lie, smirking evilly at her.
“Lies,” she says. “You’re up to something.”
I reach for my water on the table. “Maybe. But that’s the fun of surprises.”
Before she can protest, Matthew and Eli come in with the food and all lines of questioning cease because it really does look as amazing as it smells.
Elijah serves our princess first as Matthew takes a seat, and then I steal the bowl from Sophie to serve myself and pass it to Matthew.
When we’re done spooning out the steaming pasta, Matthew raises his glass in toast. “To new beginnings,” he says.
Sophie smiles as she catches his glance and raises her glass. “To new beginnings.”
“And surprises,” I say with a wink as she shakes her head at me.
Eli chuckles. “I’ll second that.”
Sophie
I let out a deep sigh as I lean back into the couch cushions, my hand resting over my stomach. My babies are kicking up a storm, and I can’t seem to get comfortable.
“Here, let me help,” Matthew says as he props my pillows up behind me and grabs my feet to place in his lap. Elijah enters the room with his hands in his pockets, his gaze fixated on me. Benny plops down beside Matthew, his gaze settling on me too.
“Thanks,” I say.
Matthew gives me a smile. “Of course.”
Elijah walks over to me, standing in front of me, an unreadable expression on his face.
“What? Do I have some pasta sauce on me or?—”
He says, “Do you remember senior year, when you went to prom by yourself?”
I nod, wondering why he’s bringing this up since it was years ago.
“That night we danced together, and I wanted to tell you the truth. I wanted to tell you then how much I loved you.”
My heart lifts as a soft smile graces my lips. “I wanted to tell you I love you too, but you were with that other woman and?—”
“I went with her because you were going with that idiot I couldn’t stand,” he says with a chuckle. “I wanted to ask you to prom, but…I was afraid.”
My eyebrows furrow and I realize the others have gone quiet. Matthew rubs my feet, which feels amazing, but I can’t focus on that when the look in Elijah’s face is so sincere.
His gaze drifts to my neck. To my necklace I always wear.
The shell with the diamonds he bought me in Paradise.
