Page 113 of Rescuing Sophia

Before I can respond, he turns to Blake. “Hey, bro, can I fly like a superhero?”

Blake’s eyes meet mine for a split second, a crooked grin spreading across his face. “Go for it, buddy.”

My heart leaps into my throat as Luke pushes off from the wall. I gasp, torn between horror and amazement. For a terrifying moment, he’s airborne, arms spread wide like wings. Then the auto-belay system catches, and he’s gliding down in a controlled descent.

My son is all smiles as he touches down on the mat, unhookinghimself with practiced ease. He bounds over to me, eyes shining with excitement.

“Did you see me? I flew like a superhero.” He throws his arms around me in a crushing hug.

I laugh, relief and joy bubbling up inside me. “You sure did, baby. You were amazing.”

Over Luke’s head, I catch Blake’s eye. He rappels down, a soft smile as he watches us. At that moment, I’m struck by how right this feels—the three of us together, almost like a family.

As Luke chatters excitedly about his “flight,” I hold onto that feeling, hoping against hope that, somehow, we can make this work. That we can build something real and lasting from the pieces of our complicated past.

The rest of the afternoon passes in a blur of coffee orders and stolen glances at the clock. As my shift winds down, Jenna arrives with Carter in tow, their faces lit with matching grins.

“We’ve got a proposition for you,” Jenna announces, leaning against the counter.

“Oh?” I raise an eyebrow, wiping my hands on my apron.

Carter’s usual stoic demeanor softens. “We want to take Luke toInsanityto play with the other kids. Forest has installed a new VR arcade, and it’s opening night. It should give you and Blake some time to... talk. It’s a sleepover, by the way. Luke will be goneall night.”

I swallow hard, a mix of gratitude and nervousness swirling in my stomach. “That’s—that’s really thoughtful of you guys.”

Jenna reaches across the counter, squeezing my hand. “You two need this. We’ve all seen how you’ve been dancing around each other.”

I nod, blinking back sudden tears. “Thank you.”

As I hang up my apron and gather my things, a plan begins to form. It’s been so long since Blake and I have been alone. I need to make this count.

Quickly, I send him a text, asking him over for dinner. I don’t tell him Luke won’t be there because I’m afraid Blake won’t comeotherwise. The tension between us is growing by leaps and bounds every day.

And it needs to stop.

FORTY

Sophia

The kitchenin my new apartment still feels foreign, but my hands move with purpose as I prepare dinner. The rhythmic chopping of vegetables and the sizzle of meat in the pan ground me, giving me something concrete to focus on instead of the nervous energy thrumming through my veins.

I’ve chosen to make Blake’s favorite—a spicy stir-fry that reminds him of a mission in Thailand. The scent of ginger and lemongrass fills the air, and for a moment, I’m transported back to easier times. Times when the biggest worry was whether I’d remembered to stock his preferred brand of beer.

A knock at the door sends my heart racing. I smooth down my shirt, take a deep breath, and open the door.

Blake stands there, looking as nervous as I feel. His eyes roam over me, a flicker of something—desire? longing?—crossing his face before he schools his expression.

“Hey,” he says softly.

“Hey.” It’s so awkward. I step back to let him in. “Dinner’s almost ready.”

He follows me to the kitchen, the heat of his gaze burning intomy back. The air between us is charged, crackling with unspoken words and suppressed emotions.

“Where’s Luke?” Blake’s gaze casts around the room.

“He’s at a sleepover.”

“A what?”

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