Page 141 of Head Over Heels
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Since that night, four days had passed, and Sophie had no idea what she and Ryder were doing. They still weren’t seeing each other. Still weren’t talking. By all accounts they were still avoiding all contact.
Except at eleven o’clock each night when they texted each other from bed, saying all sorts of filthy, dirty things until they came and went to sleep. By some unspoken agreement neither called, or suggested calling, but the things he said to her while she lay there drove her crazy.
It was . . . odd. But she wasn’t complaining. It was better than nothing. At least she’d started sleeping again, started eating, and stopped walking around in a fog. She didn’t feel so horrible, but she suspected that was because their nightly texting connected them.
The interview in Chicago loomed in her mind like a dark cloud hovering over her. The festival was this weekend, and it would be crazy and busy, so she wouldn’t have time to think about the interview, but she drove back Monday night. She hadn’t said anything to Ryder, not wanting to ruin this brief respite of time with him, but she’d have to tell him soon.
But tonight, she was going to do her best to have fun.
She took a deep breath and climbed out of her car, grabbing the bottle of whiskey she’d brought for Mitch and Maddie on her way. Her friend was in the mood for a party, so after making sure that Ryder wouldn’t be there, she’d agreed to go to the small get-together.
Maddie claimed Ryder was working. Sophie didn’t have to be confronted by him, but she had no idea what to expect tonight at eleven. She supposed she could slip into a spare room. The farmhouse had enough of them.
She rang the bell and flung open the door, calling out into the house, “Maddie?”
“In the kitchen,” Maddie called back.
Sophie walked through the swinging door, her gaze immediately falling on the spot on the kitchen counter where Ryder had kissed her the first time before skirting away. She smiled at Maddie, who wore a jean skirt and white T-shirt that definitely showed she’d gotten her pre-baby body back.
Sophie whistled. “Someone’s looking hot.”
Maddie smoothed her hand over her stomach and beamed. “It finally fit. All that running and doing sit-ups finally paid off.”
“You look great,” she said.
“She does,” Gracie agreed, winking at Maddie. “Better you be subjected to James’s training schedule than me.”
Maddie rolled her eyes. “You’re the worst.”
Gracie turned to Sophie. “Ready for the big festival tomorrow?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be. How about you?” Sophie asked. Now that Gracie’s bakery in Chicago was up and running, she’d decided to open a Revival storefront and put Harmony Jones in charge of the operation. It opened next month, but Gracie and Harmony had a booth that would feature all the delicious pastries they had to offer.
Gracie shrugged. “Ask me six weeks from now. James is forcing me to take a two-week vacation in France after the opening and before he has to head back to school.”
Sophie clucked her tongue and gave her an exaggerated look of sympathy. “Ahhh . . . you poor thing. However do you manage?”
She sighed. “It’s a rough life, but someone has to do it.”
Sophie laughed and Maddie’s head tilted. “You’re looking better.”
She shrugged. “Thanks.”
Cheryl walked in, and Sophie’s chest squeezed as she remembered the first time with Ryder when they’d been so crazy. She smiled. “Hey, Cheryl.”
“Hi.” Cheryl glanced at Maddie. “I just wanted to make sure you didn’t need anything.”
“We’re good.” Maddie winked at her. “How’s things going with Bill?”
A pretty flush filled Cheryl’s cheeks and she cleared her throat. “Great, actually. Thanks for inviting us over.”
“It’s our pleasure.”
Cheryl looked at Sophie, her brow wrinkling. “I guess I owe you a thank you.”
At least someone had gotten a happy ending. Sophie shook her head. “I didn’t do one thing, but I’m glad it’s working out so great with Bill.”