Page 10 of The Sweet Part
I smile. “You can go for me and take Sophie. It’s perfect.”
“I haven’t pretended to be you since high school. We’re grownups now. Besides, Sophie would give it away.”
I frown. She’s right. I don’t know why I’m so worked up over going to a wedding. It’s not a date. There’ll be lots of other people there besides Mason. I’ll probably spend most of the time keeping Sophie out of trouble.
I dig my heels in. “I’m not ready to date. I plan to wait until Sophie’s in college.”
Alice smiles slyly. “I thought you said it wasn’t a date. Just friends.”
“Right.”
“So there should be no problem.”
I glance over at Sophie. She finished the puzzle and is curled up on the sofa, reading a chapter book under a blanket knitted by Grandmom Maggie. WWMD? Somethingwild.
Alice takes my hand. “Please let yourself have a little fun. You deserve it.”
Suddenly I know just how to color outside the lines. I lean across the table. “Here’s what we’ll do.”
Alice groans. “There shouldnotbe a we in there.”
I grin. “Come on, it’ll be fun. You said yourself you’re getting bored with Charlie being away for New Year’s.” Alice’s husband, Charlie, went skiing with some old high school friends over New Year’s. Alice gave her blessing. She doesn’t like skiing. They’re happily married, no kids by choice. They travel often, enjoying their freedom. And, of course, Sophie gives them a kid fix whenever they want.
“I’m notthatbored,” Alice says.
I warm to my idea. “Just listen. We’ll both dress up like we’re going to the wedding, and when he comes to the door, if he picks the right twin, then I’ll go.”
“And what if he picks me?”
“Then you get to have a great time dancing and mingling with movie stars. It’s perfect.”
Alice sighs. “I know you’re scared—”
“I’m not scared of anything. This’ll bewild. Grandmom always thought it was a hoot when we switched places.”
“Only because she always knew who was who.”
I give her my best pleading look.
“Fine. But I still think—”
I leap out of my seat and hug her. “Thank you.”
She pulls back. “You owe me.”
“Anything.”
“I’ll hold you to that.”
My pulse accelerates at the idea of Mason choosing me. I could be going to a wedding with a complete hottie. And if not, I’ll know he’s not that into me, proving Alice wrong.
* * *
Mason
I wave to Sophie staring at me through the front window as I approach their house on New Year’s Eve. She grins, waving back, then disappears from view. I was surprised when May texted me they’d go to the wedding. In a good way. I’m still unsure how to deal with a little girl, but I figure I’ll take my cue from May. She’s the mom, and it’s not like I’m ready to be a dad. That’s for future Mason. Way, way in the future.
I blow out a breath, suddenly nervous. Like I’m a teenager on a first date. Ridiculous. I’ve been on plenty of dates, plenty of relationships that went nowhere. Doesn’t matter. This is a friend situation.
