Page 60 of So Not My Type

“I know.” A sly grin spread. When Ella lifted a brow, Sophie threw her hands up in defense. “Okay, okay. Change, then more food.”

An hour later, after one more session where Ella filled her mouth with Sophie in the shower, Thomas pulled up to the corner and opened the door. “Good morning, ladies. I trust you slept well last night.” His voice was professional and kind, but he had a twinkle in his eye.

“Sure did.” Ella slid over for Sophie. The urge to be touching Sophie every moment was powerful, and she moved into the middle seat to wrap her ankle around Sophie’s. She swiped her thumb against the inside of her wrist, and wanted to kiss her now, here, on her arm, on her mouth, everywhere, but refrained. Thomas would most likely not appreciate being a spectator.

When they pulled up to Ella’s home, Sophie hopped out and took a breath. “Everything feels different. Like the same, but different, right?”

Ella gripped her fingers. “Yes, it does.” She glanced at the door and paused. “If you want to keep quiet about this, I totally understand. I know it’s a crazy thing my dad being…”

“My boss? Yep, sure is.” Sophie smiled, but her eyes turned serious, and her gaze flickered against Ella’s. “I don’t want to keep this quiet. I thought I did, but now I want to scream it everywhere. I want everyone to know how I feel and hope that someday they feel this way, too.” Her face bloomed red. “Oh, shit. See, I told you I was seriously rusty on all of this. That was a lot. Too much? Too quick?”

Ella pulled her in for a kiss. “Not for me.” Her chest felt like it was going to burst. “And it’s not too quick. I’ve been feeling this for a while. I only just acted on it now.”

“Same.” She inhaled a breath. “Okay, let’s do this.”

The door opened and her parents appeared like overbearing genies just released from the bottle. “My most favorite girls in the world!” Her dad’s voice boomed across the open space.

“Women, Dad. Women.”

He clapped once. “Oh yes. Of course. Did you all have fun yesterday? What did you do? Break any laws?”

Ella’s eyes grew wide. She glanced at Sophie with a smirk.

“Honey, do you need to eat?” Her mom reached her hand out like she wanted to touch Ella’s hair, but retreated. “Or maybe take a nap? Sleep is so important, you know that’s a trigger?—”

“Mom.” Normally, she would have snapped the words. But today, she didn’t want to snap. And her mom was right. She really did need to get some sleep at some point. Working late, spending time with Sophie, enjoying life, took precedence right now. “I’m good. Going to change and then we’re grabbing some food.”

Her mother’s lips turned into a flat line, but she nodded and surprisingly dropped the subject.

“Sophie.” George cleared his throat. “A quick word with me while Ella changes?”

“Of course.” Sophie responded before Ella could protest, her voice flipping to professional mode.

Ella glanced between everyone and decided the best thing to do was to change and leave as quickly as possible, before her parents gave Sophie some archaic speech about the importance of treating their daughter right, or her mother listed out all the meds and potential effects of epilepsy. Upstairs, she brushed her teeth, threw on some clothes, and ran a flat iron through her bangs. When she returned, her dad and Sophie were just comingout of the den, where her dad gave Sophie a quick bro-style tap on the upper back.

Ella cringed. “Ready?” She nearly pushed Sophie out the entrance. “Bye,” she called behind her head to her parents, but closed the door before her parents could respond.

Thomas opened the back door and escorted the women in, and Sophie leaned in toward Ella. “So… potential idea for today. Only if you’re cool with it, and no pressure.” She scraped the side of her thumbnail. “A couple of my friends are heading out for brunch and wondering if we’d like to join.”

Sophie wanted to introduce her to friends? Already? Something filled Ella, warm and squishy, starting in the chest and sinking to her belly. “I’d love that.”

After Sophie gave Thomas the address, she leaned back and pulled Ella’s hand into her lap. “You know, your parents are way cooler than I think you give them credit for.”

Ella huffed. “Cool is not a word I would ever use to describe my parents. Was it super awkward with my dad?”

“Not at all.” Sophie traced the outline of Ella’s palm with her fingertips. “I thought he’d tell me to keep business and personal life separate, but he didn’t at all. He just told me that he hadn’t seen you so happy in such a long time and was grateful I was in your life.”

Score one for Pops.“He said that?”

Sophie giggled. “Yes, in a very George Northwood sort of way. But that was the message. I think he even tried to hug me, but then sort of shook his arms out. But I felt the hug right here.” She pointed at her heart with a laugh. “He’s a good dude. Really.”

Her dad had always been in her corner. Sometimes at a distance, sometimes annoying, sometimes very, very loud, but still in her corner. As the traffic and trees flew by outside thewindow, a peacefulness settled. Ella wanted to call him and thank him.

The SUV pulled over in front of a Thai and Filipino fusion restaurant, with the most delicious sweet and savory scents mingling in the air. Sophie intertwined Ella’s fingers in hers, and Ella adjusted her glasses back up the bridge of her nose.

“You’re going to do great. Everyone is super nice. Except Remi.” She laughed. “I’m totally kidding. It’s a long story, and I’ll tell you all about it tonight.”

Tonight.As if she knew they’d be together today and tonight, and this was the new norm. Ella refrained from skipping into the restaurant.

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