Page 73 of Connected By Love
“He’s being modest. His work is breathtaking and sought after.” Sophia smiles at me with pride shining in her eyes, and I give her arm a squeeze.
“Thank you. I’m just happy to be doing something I love.”
“Amen to that,” Mimi says from the sectional next to Papaw. “Life’s too short not to enjoy every moment of it.” I grin at Noah’s grandparents. They live above Sage and Jax’s garage and have kept me entertained all afternoon with stories about Sophia and her family. You would never know they were in their seventies. It’s clear how much they love each other still to this day. I hug Sophia a little tighter and smile down at her when she snuggles closer.
“Mav and I were talking earlier about going to Joe’s tonight for a game of pool. You guys up for it?” Noah looks at Sophia and me.
“That sounds like fun. You guys should go. I’m sure Max would love to watch a movie with Luna and Ava.” Maya looks over at the pool where they are playing Marco Polo.
“Are you sure? I wouldn’t want to ruin your plans tonight.”
“Don’t be silly. We were just going to hang out here and play cards anyway. The girls love Max already. He’s no trouble at all. It’s nice having a little guy around here again. Reminds me of Noah and Maverick at that age.” She smiles at Noah’s mom, Sage. When I look at both of them with their blonde and dark hair, it’s easy to picture Sophia and Bella at their age doing this exact same thing one day with their families. I want to bepart of that picture more than I realized. I swallow down my emotions and glance down at Sophia.
“You up for some pool?” I ask her.
“Sounds like fun.” She grins up at me.
“Okay, we’re in,” I say, looking back at Noah. “I hope you’re better at pool than you are at corn hole.” I hear Mav chuckle next to Bella. I grin wider at Noah when I see him frown.
“Emma and I lost one game to you and Sophia earlier. Doesn’t exactly make you king of the cornhole around here,” he mutters.
“I’m pretty sure it’s because you had me as a partner,” Emma laughs. “Sophia has been playing a lot longer than I have.”
“You were great, baby. I’ll gladly lose any day as long as you’re by my side.” He tightens his arms around his wife and a pang of envy hits me when I see his wedding ring next to hers as they hold hands. A longing hits me, taking me by surprise.
I glance down at Sophia’s left hand and look at the two rings on her first two fingers. The ring one is bare, as if begging me to put one on it. I want her walking around with a symbol of our commitment, letting all the other guys that look at her to know she’s taken—that she’s mine. I never saw myself getting married in the near future, but with her, I can’t seem to take things slow. I want it all, and I want us to be a family.
I feel Maya’s eyes on me and I meet her green eyes that are so much like Sophia’s. She has lighter hair like Maverick but the eyes pierce right through me. She gives me a knowing smile as if she knows exactly what I’m thinking about. She’s good at reading people, just like my mom. Based on the look on her face, I would say she approves of our relationship, which will make things easier when I talk to them later about this.
They seemed happy when Sophia told them she wasmoving in with me. I’m hoping they can tell how much I want to give their daughter everything and that this isn’t me making rash decisions. I’ve never been more sure about anything in my life and I know deep down in my soul that this girl is who I want to spend the rest of my life with.
Chapter Thirty-One
Sophia
“You doing okay over there?You’ve been awfully quiet since we said we were going to Joe’s. Max will have a blast watching a movie, so you don’t have to worry about him. You saw how excited he was when we left. They were already making popcorn, and the girls had made a tent on the floor to make it fun for him while they watched the movie.” I unbuckle the seatbelt before scooting to the middle seat to lay my head on his shoulder. We’re following Mav’s truck to Joe’s since Noah and Emma rode with them, and they aren’t going back to my parents’ house when we’re done.
“Put your seatbelt on.”
“So bossy.” Giggling, I secure the middle seatbelt.
“When it comes to your safety, I’ll be as bossy as I want to be.” He puts his arm around me, and I snuggle closer. “I’m not worried about Max at all. He’s having the time of his life,” he chuckles. “I’m going to beg Luna to be my babysitter. She’s so good with him.”
“I don’t think you’ll have to beg. She’s a great kid, and Max already has her under his spell. No one can resist his cuteness.You’re going to have your hands full when he’s older. I can’t imagine the girls who will be lining up for him.”
“Good thing I’ll have you by my side to help me,” he says softly.
My body is flooded with warmth at his words. “I like the sound of that,” I sigh against him.
“Me too.” I feel him kiss the top of my head. “I had a really great time today. Do you think your dad liked me?”
I laugh and look up at him. “Is that why you’re so quiet? You’re worried whether you made a good impression or not? Trust me when I say you have nothing to worry about. My mom thinks you hung the moon, and my dad loves you, too. I’ve been talking you up nonstop lately, and they know how happy I am.” He smiles down at me, relief evident on his face, before looking back at the road. “And I am,” I continue, “so happy. You make me the happiest I’ve ever been in my life, and my parents see that.”
“I’m glad they see that because that’s all I want…for you to be happy. You do the same for me, you know. I thought I was happy and content with it just being me and Max, but it’s nothing like what I feel waking up to you every day. You were the missing piece in our lives, and I thank God every day that I was the lucky guy you ran into in the hall.”
“I think we would have found our way to each other regardless if it happened that night or not. The Universe has a way of bringing two people together that are meant to be,” I say softly, knowing with everything in me that he is the one I’ve been waiting for.
“I like that.” He pulls into the parking spot and turns off the engine. He removes his seatbelt before releasing mine. “Come here.” He places his hand on the back of my neck and pulls me to him, bringing his lips to mine. I eagerly part my lips and welcome his invasion as my tongue seeks his. Every kiss withhim is like bolts of electricity shooting through my body, setting me on fire with a burning need for him.
