Page 95 of A Simple Reminder

Micah

I’m close to your hotel. Let’s grab lunch.

Don’t you dare tell me you’re holed up in meetings all day. Because I don’t care.

Oh, look at that. I’m in demand today. I grin to myself as I type out my reply. Sophie first.

Me

Just wondering, I haven’t seen him.

Either way, I’m on my way. Send me the details. Can I bring a friend?

Sunshine

Casa de Sol. Of course! The more the merrier.

Perfect. I type out a quick reply to Micah. But before I can hit send, a commotion outside my office catches my attention. Raised voices, hurried footsteps—it doesn’t sound good. I push away from the desk, heading for the door when I hear Lilly.

“No! You can’t just waltz into his office like that. That’s not how it works.”

“I’m his best friend. I can do what I want. Now, please move. I don’t want to push you,” Micah counters, his voice laced with loads of amusement, completely unfazed.

“No!” she protests again, planting herself firmly in front of him like a human barricade.

I huff out a quiet laugh, shaking my head. You’ve got to give it to Lilly—she takes her job seriously. Even if it means standing toe-to-toe with my overconfident, pain-in-the-ass best friend.

“Lilly, it’s okay,” I call out, walking toward them. Her shoulders stiffen, but she reluctantly steps aside.

Micah grins when he spots me, his arms wide. “Look at you! When did you start wearing suits?” he teases, tugging at the collar of my shirt before pulling me into a hug that knocks the tension from the room.

I glance down at myself. Dark blue slacks, a crisp white dress shirt tucked in—not a full suit, but close enough.

“Fuck off,” I mutter with a smirk, giving him a light shove. “Let’s go for lunch. We’re having tapas. Lilly, please feel free to eat the lunch you ordered for me or grab whatever you want, on me.”

Micah laughs, falling into step beside me as we head toward the elevators. “Man, your assistant is terrifying. I think she actually considered tackling me back there.”

“Lilly takes her job seriously. She’d probably throw herself in front of a moving car if it meant keeping my schedule intact.”

Micah snorts. “I bet she tucks you in at night too. Reads you a bedtime story, makes sure your suits are pressed, your life perfectly in order.”

I roll my eyes but can’t help the grin tugging at my lips. “Keep talking and you’re paying for your own lunch.”

The weather has startedto get a little chillier, so I’m glad the girls picked a table inside the restaurant. It’s a new place I’ve never been to before, but it feels strangely familiar, like stepping back into Barcelona. Even though I lived there for a year, I rarely had tapas. Sophie and I used to eat a lot of it, but after…it just didn’t feel the same.

The lighting is warm and dim, casting a cozy glow across the room. The walls are finished in stucco, with earthy tones that remind me of sunbaked clay, and they’re accented with stunning, intricate tiles in deep blues and golds. Flamenco art decorates the space, bold and vibrant against the textured walls. Wrought iron details frame the pieces, adding an old-world charm. It’s the kind of place that transports you and makes you forget for a moment where you are.

In the far corner, I spot them. The light streaming in through the window bathes them in a soft, golden hue. Sophie is laughing at something Addie said, her head tilted slightly, her hand resting on the table as if she’s caught mid-movement. Addie is grinning back, her gestures animated as she talks.

For a second, I just watch. The way Sophie’s face lights up when she smiles—the way she completely owns a space without even trying. She’s mesmerizing, effortlessly commanding all my attention.

Then Micah nudges me with his elbow. “You gonna keep standing here drooling over your girl, or are we going to join them?”

“Shut up,” I mutter, shaking off the moment, but I can’t help the grin tugging at my lips. Yeah, she is my girl.

“Sophie!” Micah exclaims, smiling as she gets up to hug him.

“It’s good to see you again, Micah,” Sophie says warmly, pulling back but keeping a hand on his arm like they’re old friends catching up.

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