Page 43 of Perfect Enough
Sophia’s eyes jerked up to mine, and I couldn’t help it—I laughed.
“Wow. Does your mother remember how old you are?”
Letting out a sigh, Sophia said, “She’s been drinking, I could tell when we got to the wedding she had already had a few drinks. She isn’t normally this…clingy. I should probably call her before she sends out a search party for me.”
“I’ll give you some privacy.”
“You don’t need to. It’s okay.”
She tapped on her phone a few times and then closed her eyes. “Hi, Mom. I’m fine. Yes, we made it back to Josh’s house. I think I’m going to head on home here in a bit.”
Rolling her eyes, she said, “No, we didn’t have a fight. I…well, I…no, you don’t need to meet me at my house. Mom, I’m an adult woman.”
Her gaze met mine. “No, Mom, it’s okay. I’m going to just stay the night with Josh after all.”
She mouthed the words “I’m sorry” as she listened to her mother. “Yes, I’ll call you tomorrow and let you know when I’m heading home. I love you, too. Bye, Mom.”
Sophia let out a long sigh as she tossed her phone next to her. “I’msosorry. I’m going to call my friend Chloe and see if I can stay the night there.”
“I’ll go grab us some water while you call her.”
“Thank you, Josh.”
I headed into the kitchen and took out two bottles of water. As I walked back into the family room, I heard clear disappointment in Sophia’s voice as she spoke on the phone.
“Honestly, it’s okay, Chloe. Don’t even worry about it, all right? Enjoy your night. Love you, too. Bye.”
She hit End and dropped her head back.
“Bad news?”
Waving her hand around, as if searching for the right word, she said, “Chloe has a…friend…over.”
“Sophia, you’re more than welcome to stay here. I have three extra bedrooms, and I was the one who told your mother you’d be staying the night. I’m sure we can find something for you to wear to sleep in.”
Her cheeks turned a soft shade of pink, and I couldn’t help but wonder what she was thinking to make her blush like that.
“I really hate to impose, Josh.”
“I wouldn’t have offered it if I didn’t mean it.”
She screwed up her face in the most adorable way. “Are yousureyou don’t mind?”
“Not at all. Besides, wouldn’t it be expected for you to stay with me if we really were dating?”
Sophia chewed on her lower lip. “Yeah, I guess it would. You probably think I’m so stupid for lying to my mother.”
“I think you’ve both been through a lot the last few months.”
Sophia nodded. “I just never thought she’d put all her focus on me like this. With my father dying, I think she’s just…lost, maybe? I don’t know.”
I hated that her voice sounded so defeated.
Smiling, I said, “Then it’s settled; you’re staying. Let me go see what I can find for you to wear.”
As I started to walk away, Sophia called out, “Josh?”
“Yeah?” I asked, turning back to her.