Page 55 of Play With Me

Looking at the couple acting like they were on their second honeymoon, I wished that when I was older, whoever I was with had the balls to steal me away for a quickie as well.

“Sure.”

I followed Brook’s broad shoulders as he went inside and sat down on the wicker seat, propping an extra cushion behind my back. As soon as Brook disappeared beyond the glass door, Sophie jumped up on the seat beside me. “Hi! I brought water.”

She threw the bottle on my lap, after which she made herself comfortable on the cushions and then took the bottle back and tried to twist the cap open.

“A little bird told me that you only drink water.”

“Which little bird?”

“I overheard you talking to Uncle Brook. Did you know that I don’t have a real aunt? Somehow my uncles just can’t get it together. At the rate they’re going, I’ll be married way before them,” she sighed.

I laughed.

“They’re still young.”

“Are you kidding? Do you know how long I have to wait until I’m their age? It’s time they found wives, or Grandma and Grandpa are going to kill them if they don’t get more grandchildren. They will never get married if I don’ help them. Grandma always says that if you want something done, you have to do it yourself.”

“You’re going to help them find someone to marry and have kids with?”

“I can get them a better match than YesCupid.”

How did she know about YesCupid? “Wow, I must say that’s pretty good.”

“Are you going to marry Uncle Brook, or should I swipe for him as well?”

“I think it’s too early for us to decide that, but keep that finger on hold for now,” I winked.

“Good. Because I really like you.”

I cut my inhalation in half and felt warmth in my chest. She was a seven-year-old with as much spunk and confidence as I remembered having at that age. I thought I was so grown up back them. I’d hadn’t been much older than she was when I decided to leave the hellhole I lived in.

“I like you too, Sophie.”

She leaned in and put her arms around me, squeezing hard, forcing me to put mine around her as well. Otherwise it would have just seemed weird, and this felt right.

“Do you know what else the little bird told me? That Kate may be my auntie soon. I hope that’s true because I’m ready to have cousins. Daddy said Uncle Cam would be very happy, but I’m not sure why it’s necessary to say that a little bird told me when I’m the one who overheard it but a little bird also told me that’s what you’re supposed to say.”

This kid was crazy. She was my kind of crazy, though, and amazing because I completely got her, and I wasn’t even sure how. I took the bottle from her hand and opened the cap she’d been trying to twist off.

“Thanks!” She took a tiny sip and closed it back up, making me wonder whether the effort of opening it in the first place was even worth it.

“You’re welcome.”

“So, I was thinking that maybe you can persuade Uncle Brook about puppies.”

“Why Uncle Brook? He said you should talk to your dad about it.”

“Because he’s my daddy’s brother, and if Uncle Brook thinks daddy and I should get a puppy, then we’ll get a puppy.”

I was pretty sure that’s not how it worked, but who was I to argue with a seven-year-old?

“What happened to a parrot?”

“I like to keep my expectations reasonable. Here, I can show you some breeds on Daddy’s phone.”

“He gave you his phone?”

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