Page 41 of Perfect Enough
Once we pulled up to the entrance gate to my house, and I typed in the code, Sophia cleared her throat. “I’m so sorry about all of this, Josh. I don’t know what to say.”
“There isn’t anything to apologize for, Sophia. I had a nice evening.”
She let out a bark of laughter. “That’s very kind of you. I guess it was okay until Karen showed up.”
I glanced over at her. “Is she always so…vocal like that?”
She shook her head. “She’s always been pushy. Always gave unsolicited advice, especially regarding the guys I dated. We grew up together and were more like sisters, so I guess she feels like she can say whatever she wants.”
I pulled up to the front of my house and parked. Turning off the truck, I looked at her. “Sophia, I have a sister, and I can tell you one thing—she hasneverspoken to me that way, and she never would. And you’re not to blame for your ex’s actions. If he was unhappy, for whatever reason, he should have told you. Called things off before sleeping with someone else. Your cousinhad no right to say what she did, especially in front of another man who was your date.”
She blinked several times, and I wanted to hurt the people in her life who’d made her feel like she was less than. “You’re not my real date.”
“That doesn’t matter. Karen didn’t know that. She intentionally said all of that in front of me, and for that, I don’t care to ever speak to her again.”
She smiled tiredly.
“Would you like to come in and have a coffee…or something stronger?”
Her head moved slightly to the side. “Youdidtell my mother I was staying with you this evening.”
My eyes went wide. “Shit. Will she check to see if you’re home?”
“I don’t think so,” she said with a soft laugh. “Unless she has a tracker on my phone.”
When I simply stared at her, she said, “I’m kidding, Josh. She doesn’t track me.”
“That you know of.” That caused her to let out a real laugh. “Come inside, and if you want to stay, you’re more than welcome. You know I have the room. And it might actually help with your mother thinking we’re together.”
She narrowed her eyes. “How?”
I shrugged. “She reallycouldbe tracking you.”
Rolling her eyes, she said, “I’ll come in for a drink.”
“Let me get the door for you.”
By the time I got around to the passenger side, Sophia was waiting for me to help her out.
“Where’s your shawl?” I asked.
Sophia looked back into the truck and then at me. “I must have left it behind. At least I got my clutch.” She took my hand,and I helped her out of the truck. “I’m so sorry to put you in this position, Josh. You must think I’m crazy.”
I laughed softly as I guided her down the sidewalk and to my front door. Pulling out my phone, I turned the alarm off and typed in the code to unlock the door. “I don’t think you’re crazy at all. Now yourcousin, on the other hand…”
Sophia laughed—a genuine, heartfelt laugh, for the first time since we’d left the wedding reception.
We stepped into the house, and I motioned for her to follow me. “Let’s head to the family room, and I’ll pour us a drink.”
Sophia let me lead the way. Once in the family room, she removed her shoes and sat on the large sectional sofa.
“What would you like?”
She shrugged. “I’m not a big drinker, so whatever you’re having is fine with me.”
I raised my brows before grabbing a bottle of whiskey. I poured us each a glass and walked over to the sofa.
“I hope you don’t mind that I took my shoes off. They were killing me. I’m used to ballet shoes and tap shoes. Not stiletto heels.”