Page 16 of A Simple Reminder

He doesn’t answer, which sparks a flicker of annoyance in me. Instead, he pulls out his phone. “I’ll call my driver. He’ll take you home.”

“We’ll just grab a cab,” I reply, rejecting his help instinctively. “There are plenty around.”

Liam sighs, the sound weighted with frustration. “Sophie, please. Just let me take care of this,” he says, his tone firm but not unkind.

Something in me snaps. “We don’t need more of your help, Liam!” I shoot back, my voice sharper than I intended. The moment the words leave my mouth, regret prickles at the edges of my chest, but it’s buried under the swirl of emotions I can’t seem to untangle—pride, anger, confusion.

Adeline steps in, her tone calm, a steady counterpoint to my rising tension. “Soph, he’s just trying to help. Let him.”

“Hasn’t he helped enough?” I bite out, but my voice wavers, betraying the mix of emotions bubbling beneath the surface. When I see the hurt flash across Liam’s face, more guilt crashes over me.What’s happening to me?This isn’t who I am. But I feel like I’m being pulled in too many directions at once—between pride and frustration, the past and the present. And Adeline’s right. He is just trying to help. Why shouldn’t I let him?

“Fine,” I breathe, the fight leaving me. If I keep arguing, I’ll only feel worse.

Within minutes, a sleek black Mercedes-Benz pulls up to the curb. Adeline hops in, giving me a quick look as if to say,be nice.I move to follow her, but Liam stops me.

“Sophie,” he begins, his voice strained. “I'm sorry things got out of hand. I was just trying to…”

My tone is softer when I speak this time. “I know. I just…” My voice falters, tangled in the weight of unspoken thoughts. How do I articulate this? What exactly am I trying to say? Everything feels clumsy against the backdrop of these conflicting feelings. It's the clash between appreciating his defense and worrying about the consequences. But ultimately, that's what it boils down to: conflict with consequences I'm not ready to face. Liam is my boss, and keeping my job is my priority. There isn’t a second chance in this city, words travel fast and my main focus is to ensure they're in my favor.

He nods, his jaw still tight. “I understand.”

Then he closes the door behind me, and the car drives us away, Liam slowly disappearing in the background.

“That was a bit harsh, Sophie.”

“I know.”

“He was just trying to help, you know,” Adeline says gently, her hand resting on my arm.

“I know,” I murmur again, staring out the window, watching the city lights flicker past as we drive through the street. The bustling streets blur into streaks of color under the flow of neon and traffic lights.

Adeline’s voice breaks the silence again. “Can I ask one question, and then I’ll drop it?”

I turn to face her, my chest tightening slightly at the careful tone in her voice. Her eyes are soft but probing like she’s already bracing for whatever answer I might give. I nod, barely, a small movement that feels heavier than it should.

“What happened between you two?” she asks curiously. “It feels like there’s been tension since Leora and Lucas’ wedding. Thesecondone.”

I hesitate, unsure of how to answer. To her, that wedding was when we all got to know each other—bridesmaids and groomsmen mingling. I walked out of the church with him, my arm linked with his. That’s how the story began, according to everyone else, but the truth started much earlier. I feel even worse now, lying to her, but this isn’t the right time to confess. Not in a taxi after a night out gone wrong.

I swallow hard before I speak, “I don’t know. I guess we’re just too different.”

“Different, how?”

“I mean, we have different ways of looking at things,” I offer vaguely, hoping she'll drop the subject.

She smiles at me warmly. “One thing I know is that you both care deeply for the people you love. Sometimes, that’s what matters most.”

Her words ease some of the tension inside me, and I manage a small smile in return. “Thanks, Addie. I appreciate that.”

She nods thoughtfully. “Just remember, friendships can evolve. Try to give him a chance now that you’re working together.”

“Maybe,” I say, not entirely convinced but willing to entertain the possibility.

My mind goes back to something he said, and I change the subject. “Wasn’t Liam with his friend? Where is he?”

Adeline’s lips part briefly, as if just remembering. Then she laughs, shrugging it off. “Oh, I don’t know. He probably left.” She turns away, her laughter bubbling up again. “If he was even real.”

NINE

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