Page 10 of Saving Sophia

“I’m the victim of the worst, most horrible coincidence in the history of coincidences,” I said, blowing at a strand of stray hair that flopped down on my forehead. The memory of Mr. Roscoe commanding me to take down my ponytail made an unpleasant shiver run down my spine.

Ethan nodded but didn’t press for more. “Coincidence can be a funny thing,” he said.

“You have no idea,” I answered.

He leaned back in his chair, completely at ease in the drab hallway. It was evening, but his suit was still crisp. A slight hint of rich, woodsy cologne lingered within his space that I could smell even through the dried beer, adrenaline, and misery scent I wore. Was this the cherry on top of the coincidence cake, to bring this too-good-to-be-true man across my path in the middle of the worst night of my life?

“What are you doing here?” I asked, the thought finally catching up in my mind. What if he was a criminal mastermind? Or a serial killer? Most likely a serial killer considering how my luck was going.

“I’m visiting my brother. He works here.”

“Your brother’s a cop?”

His lips quirked. “A detective.”

So probably not a criminal mastermind or a serial killer. Maybe the universe wasn’t out to get me.

“Sophia Butler?” A bored-looking female officer poked her head out from the nearby door, looked me up and down, rolled her eyes, and gave an overly dramatic sigh. “Your paperwork’s ready, step inside.”

I stood up, feeling like a child outside the principal’s office. Ethan stood with me, reaching out a hand.

“It was nice to meet you, Sophia. I hope you have better luck with coincidences in the future.”

“You too,” I said before I could stop myself. “I mean meeting you … was nice too. And … good luck with … visiting your brother.” That was me, determined to say the most awkward thing possible.

He reached out and pulled the lollipop wrapper from my fingers. A tiny zap shivered up through my wrist. I wanted to say something else. But what?

“Well, take care then.”

He let out one of his delicious chuckles. Did I really just say that? Like an elderly spinster aunt?

“We don’t have all night, Ms. Butler,” the bored police officer grumbled at me.

“Yes, of course, I’m sorry.” I grabbed my bag and scuttled after her. Before I went through the door, I looked over my shoulder. He stood there, still gorgeous, still watching me.

“Oh!” I said, causing him to raise that eyebrow in expectation and the female officer to heave another exasperated sigh. “Thanks for the lollipop.” I waved it at him like a little red flag before she shooed me through the door. Perfect. From spinster aunt to little kid.

3

ETHAN

“The cop shows we used to watch never mentioned all the paperwork,” Hayden complained, coming down the hall to where I stood, staring at the door Sophia disappeared through. “It was all car chases and locking up the bad guys. If I’d have known how much paperwork was involved, I might have become a big shot investor like you instead.”

I pulled my attention away from the door to my brother. His hazel eyes looked tired, almost yellow in the harsh fluorescent lights.

“Rough night?” I asked.

Hayden grunted and rubbed at his temples. “Almost done. Thanks for waiting.”

He led the way back down the hallway toward his desk. “Were you talking to that little waitress from the Renaissance raid?”

“Sophia,” I said, liking the way it felt on my tongue. “Does she have anything to do with the guys you’re trying to take down?”

“Nah,” Hayden answered. “I’m pretty sure she doesn’t know anything. She’s just a waitress.”

I’d never put the word ‘just’ before any description of her. She was gorgeous in a tender, innocent way, with dark smoldering eyes even when she blushed and a sweetness that pushed all my Daddy protector buttons.

Hayden jabbed a finger on the enter key and snapped his laptop closed, grabbing his keys. “I don’t think she was entirely truthful with me.” He locked his desk drawers and headed toward the back. “Something in her eyes made it seem like she was in some kind of trouble.”

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