Page 43 of Forever Fallen

Glory winked.

“I might have spiked one of them – after all, you just came from a funeral and looked a little tense. No more, I promise.”

Sophie smiled at the woman and took another sip.

“We met by chance,” Sophie began, feeling a warmth slip over her as the memories of that moment swam before her eyes. “We were on a plane, sitting beside each other, and started talking. He was so… ornery,” she smiled, laughing at the thought of how he’d drawled out the seat designations at her.

The other women chuckled knowingly, hanging on her every word.

“… And before I knew it, there was this incredible guy that made me feel so many things,” Sophie said quietly, looking over her shoulder at Ryan where he was talking with his friends still.

His beautiful profile, those dark eyes and level piercing gaze, just made her weak at the knees, because she could see the other part of him that he kept hidden from the rest of the world.

That sweet man that did the dishes and liked to sit outside with her on the porch. The man who egged her on to make her laugh and held her when she cried. Ryan harassed her nonstop about her vehicle… and laughed joyfully when she flushed the toilet, yanking the cold water from his shower…

That incredibly sexy man who stood there in nothing but a towel.

“… And I just fell in love before I knew it,” Sophie whispered softly, unable to take her eyes from him. “He was just there – so perfect, in so many ways for me.”

As if he knew she was talking about him – his eyes turned to hers, dark and concerned.

Nervously, Sophie turned back to the girls, her heart slamming in her chest at the words she’d just uttered aloud… and the truth of them.

Did he hear her?!

… And how had she fallen in love with Ryan Merrick?

“Can I get you another margarita, Sophie?” Ryan’s voice said gently behind her as he touched her shoulder.

“I’m good,” she uttered in a high-pitched voice nervously. He touched her hair, smoothing it, and leaned down to kiss her temple.

“Just checking on you,” he said in the barest whisper, his breath caressing her ear. She heard the girls around her say ‘aww’again, and she looked up at Ryan, meeting his eyes.

“I’m better now,” she admitted openly, touching his cheek.

“Good,” he said gruffly, before kissing the tip of her nose.

“Ohhhmygosh,” Glory said emphatically, clasping her hands together over her chest in sheer delight. “Omigosh this is soooo much better than I ever imagined or hope for!”

Sophie and Ryan both chuckled lightly and shared a knowing glance. Glory was the matchmaker that he’d been avoiding.

Sophie was positive that the woman would have had rainbows and puffy hearts bursting from her eyes, if she could. There was so much indescribable joy in Glory’s rapt expression that it made Sophie blush wildly.

“They are so stinkin’ cute together!” Glory squeaked happily. “Now, nothing beats my man’s sweet side, but this was pretty ‘eat-um-up-adorable’! Speaking of, where’s my dreamy, pookie-bear-baby-daddy?”

“Did you holler, my beautiful cuddle-muffin?” Alpo said, coming around the corner and kissing his wife emphatically, before laying a hand possessively on her large, pregnant belly.

“Cuddle-muffin?” Ryan said skeptically, raising an eyebrow, and Sophie laughed easily.

Sophie smiled, feeling lighter than ever, realizing that these people were truly a family of sorts… and she was a part of it. They were bringing her in, supporting her, and treating her like one of their own simply because Ryan had chosen her – that was enough for them.

They were at Valkyrie’s house for hours, everyone enjoying the easy way that they hung out together – and how the men picked on each other.

“Valkyrie, can I borrow your truck next week?”

Sophie looked up surprised at hearing Ryan’s voice in the distance. It echoed around the room as there was a lull in activity at the same time – and she caught her husband’s glance at her, noticing the firm expression on his face and realizing she was getting to where she could ‘read’ him.

He was up to something.

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