Page 86 of Icy Pucking Play

"Sure." She pauses. "You know what the last line of that entry was?"

"Jules…"

"'Maybe that's dangerous because, for the first time, I understand why people risk everything for love.'"

The words slam into me like a check to the boards.

"She wrote that," Julia continues softly, "three months before you kissed her. Six months before you really let her into our lives. A year before you started pushing her away."

"What's your point?"

"My point is, she saw you when no one else did. And now? Now she sees all of us. She's family, Evan. Whether you like it or not."

She hangs up before I can respond, leaving me with too many thoughts and not enough excuses.

Because she's right.

Sophie is family.

My phone buzzes yet again.

An unknown number:Dinner with Ms. Bennett should be interesting. So many stories to share about the Daniels family...

It’s Clark, of course. How does he even have my fucking number?

The rage is immediate and familiar.

But this time, it's not about protecting myself. It's about protecting her.

Even if she doesn't want me to. Even if it means facing things I've buried for years. Even if it means finally telling her the truth.

I pull up Sophie's contact, thumb hovering over the call button. But what would I even say?

Sorry I pushed you away?

Sorry I made you think you weren't trustworthy?

Sorry I'm falling in love with you and it terrifies me?

Instead, I find myself driving to her office, needing to see her. To explain. To fix this before Clark can break it beyond repair.

But when I get there, her cubicle is empty.

"She left early," Brad calls from his desk. "Something about getting ready for dinner?"

Shit. I’m too late.

"When?"

"About an hour ago." He studies me carefully. "You know, there's still time to stop this."

"Stop what?"

"Whatever game Clark Ellis is playing." He starts gathering his things. "Because from where I'm sitting, he's not the one Sophie wants to have dinner with."

I think about all the moments I took for granted until they were gone.

"Thanks," I say, already heading for the elevator.

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