I have the urge to kiss her again, and not for some prank—for real. I roll my thumb over her bottom lip; her mouth opens ever so slightly. I’d be a prick kissing her now. I pull her into my chest and hold her.
“Thank you,” she mumbles.
“For what?” I ask, resting my chin on the top of her head, breathing her in, swaying slightly on the spot.
“For sticking up for me. No man has ever come to my defence…not like that.”
I’d do it again, in the flash of a heartbeat. I have a revelation at this moment—there probably isn’t much I wouldn’t do for this girl.
“Always,” I say and mean it.
Chapter 6
Charlie
I helped Sophie with the cases that were ready and waiting and asked the limo driver to come around to the front in about fifteen minutes. Outside, the fresh air licks my cheeks as the wind picks up. Sophie wraps her arms around her middle, her lip trembling as her teeth chatter.
“Here.” I stop, take off my suit jacket, and slip it over her shoulders. She raises her eyebrows, ready to remove it, but I hold up my palm. “It’s cold, besides you don’t want Flick seeing your arm. Just accept the jacket.”
She pauses, her shoulders slump. She slips her arms through the sleeves and rolls them up above her hands.
“Thank you,” she says.
She appears smaller now she's wearing it. And more vulnerable. It only makes me want to protect her more.
My fingers reach for her curl, and I whirl it around my finger once, then let go. It springs back and settles back over her eye. I’ve been trying to ignore this pull towards her for too long. I know she’s my friend, but I don’t think that’s all I want us to be, not anymore.
No one bats an eyelid when we enter the gazebo just as the DJ announces the bouquet toss will be taking place out front shortly.
Nate and Flick have an early flight, so Ana and Evie booked them a suite in a hotel close to the airport.
Standing just off to the side, I watch as all the guests file out and congregate, readying for the bouquet. Sophie doesn’t attempt to catch it, but her smile is wide. I can sense it, though—how the day is catching up with her. I slip my hand into hers. She glances up at me, and instead of pulling away, she squeezes my hand gently and leans into my shoulder.
There’s a commotion followed by cheering and catcalling. When the sea of heads part, I catch sight of Simon, holding up the bouquet. I let out a laugh before bringing my fingers to my mouth, letting out a wolf whistle.
Flick and Nate say quick goodbyes to their immediate family before climbing into the limo. Once the doors close, they both appear through the open sunroof. He takes her in his arms and kisses her in a way she won’t forget in a hurry, I’m sure. When he pulls back and gazes back at her, it reminds me again of the love my parents had.
Flick and Nate, wave to everyone until the limo disappears, and I let out a relieved sigh. Time to wrap up this shindig. I check the time on my watch. The minibuses will be arriving shortly, and I can’t say I’m not relieved. Flick and Nate thought of everything—even transport for their guests—and thank God for that.
“I’ll go check on Evie and Ana in case they need anything. You good seeing to everyone?” she asks.
“Of course. Let me say goodnight to them both.”
When we approach, they’re leaning heavily against one another. Their eyes are droopy with fatigue, but their smiles still in place.
Soph squeezes my hand. It had felt so natural to hold hers in mine, I didn’t notice I hadn’t let go. Reluctantly, I release my grip.
“Wasn’t it the most splendid day?” Evie says slowly, her pronunciation slurred even more now the day is playing catch up.
“Yes, it was. Are you ladies both ready to retire for the night?” I ask.
Ana smiles gratefully, “We are.”
“Then you’re in luck. The lovely Sophie here was just saying how she’s ready to call it a night.”
“I’ll walk with you… If you don’t mind the company?” Sophie asks.
“Of course not,” Ana says.
Evie, unsteady on her feet, attempts to kiss my cheek, her cane wobbling. I lean down to make it easier for her and pull her in for a gentle hug, afraid I might break her.
Ana cuts in, “My turn, stop hogging him all to yourself,” she says, and we all laugh. “Charlie, you’d make two old women very happy if you were next.”
I shake my head. “Next to what?”
“Tie the knot,” Ana replies.
I let out a strangled cough and see the devilish grin spread across her face.
“If you said yes, Ana, I’d marry you in a heartbeat.”
She swats my shoulder. “Stop that. There’s someone out there for you. Who knows? She may be even closer than you think…” Her lack of subtly doesn’t go unnoticed.
When Sophie lets out a cross between a snort and a laugh, my insides warm.
“Never say never,” I say to Ana and pull her in for a hug.
As I let go, Sophie steps between the two of them, offering them an arm each. Then they turn and make their way into the house.
I’m thoroughly beat by the time Sophie comes back out and joins us. Simon and Ryan are flying back tomorrow morning, so we have to say our goodbyes now. Simon opens his arms, and she walks straight into him, wrapping hers around his waist. For a fleeting moment, a wave of unwarranted jealousy rears its ugly head. Not because of their relationship, but because I want to be the one wrapping my arms around her.
“Sorry I can’t stay, baby girl. I hate leaving you. But I know Charlie will take care of you.” He wiggles his eyebrows. “What’s not to love when you have your own version of a Hemsworth beau?”
She swats his chest. He takes on a serious expression as he leans to whisper in her ear. When he pulls back, she nods, wiping under her eyes. Ryan swoops her in for a hug. He could snap her like a twig, and yet he couldn’t be any gentler if he tried.
I stick my hand out to Simon and pull him in for a tight hug.
“I’ll keep an eye on her. I promise.” And it’s one I plan to keep.
He draws back. “Thanks, man. I hate to leave her.” He waves his free hand. “You know, especially after earlier, but I’m glad she has you.” He eyeballs me with an enigmatic smile—one I can’t quite decipher—and pulls away. Ryan moves in, and I hug him just as their cab pulls down the drive.
Sophie gives Simon one last hug before they climb in. He opens his window, sticking his head out just as the driver pulls away. “Miss you already, baby girl. I’ll call you once we’re back in New York. Love you.” He blows her a kiss, which she catches and holds close to her chest, shouting back she loves him, too.
Her shoulders slump once the sound of the engine disappears. Without speaking, we head back inside, and I lock up and set the alarm.
“What a day,” I say with an exaggerated sigh.
“You can say that again,” Soph says, smiling.
“You feel okay?” I ask. It’s an open question, and I don’t just mean what happened earlier. The past two years have been full of significant changes: one of her best friends settled down with the love of her life, and the other went to follow his dreams in another country.