Page 60 of Bad Boys After Dark - Brett
“I don’t know what I’m more shocked by. Sophie seeing so much in me, or knowing her father hasn’t always been perfect.”
“Oh, I never said Del wasn’t perfect. He might not have been perfect for some women, but he has always been perfect for me. What do you say we dance over to my perfectly flawed husband and your brilliant, all-knowing girlfriend and cut in?”
He offered her his arm. “Angel, I like your style.”
Sophie watched them approach with a soft and adoring gaze. Could he give her everything she wanted and deserved? He sure as hell would do everything within his power to try.
“You know, there are all types of people in this world, and if we judged everyone by who they were before they met their special someone, why, even I might not be such a gem in some people’s eyes,” Angel said as they danced toward Sophie and Del. “Don’t ever apologize for who you’ve been. Whatever you’ve gone through has made you the man you are today, and you make my daughter happy. I see it in her smile and the way she is with you. That tells me what I need to know.”
“Thank you, Angel. Now I see where Sophie learned to be so forgiving.”
“We’re only forgiving of those who deserve it,” she said with a smile. “You’re also a very good dancer. But my little girl looks like she’s ready to be in your arms.”
“And that guy over there has been eyeing you all night.” He motioned toward Del, who was looking at Angel with the same emotional gaze Sophie had locked on him. They danced over, and Brett and Del exchanged a silent nod of appreciation.
As Angel and Del danced away, Brett lifted Sophie’s hand and kissed the back of it. “Sweet Sophie, may I have this dance?”
A tender smile lifted her lips as she walked into his arms. “There’s no one I’d rather dance with.”
Sophie rested her head on his chest, one hand around his neck, the other resting half on his jaw, half on his cheek. He felt himself leaning into her familiar caress as they danced beneath the lights.
He touched his cheek to hers and whispered, “I can’t get close enough.”
“Me, either,” she whispered.
He closed his eyes as emotions whirled inside him. “What have you done to me, sweet Sophie? I don’t ever want to let you go.”
“Be careful,” she said so softly. “I might believe you.”
Chapter Thirteen
AFTER THE GUESTS and Sophie’s grandparents left, Sophie and Lindsay helped their mother put away the extra food, while Brett, JJ, Sable, Trixie, and Axsel folded chairs and gathered trash. Sophie loved that their friends stuck around to help after parties. They’d been doing it for so many years, they no longer asked if they were needed. They simply pitched in.
She stood by the kitchen sink watching her father and friends through the window as Sable directed the others. She was bossier than Grace, and as the owner of an auto shop and lead guitarist in a local band, Sable was good at making things happen. Sophie caught sight of Brett and her father carrying chairs to the shed. She liked seeing them together. Brett seemed a lot more relaxed than he did in the city. But then again, didn’t everyone?
“He’s really taken with you, sweetheart,” her mother said, joining her by the window.
“I know,” she said softly. He’s my forever kisses, and I want to be his.
“It’s a scary and wonderful thing watching my little girl give her heart to a man.” She tucked Sophie’s hair behind her ear, her lips curving up in a warm smile.
“Oh my God, you guys.” Lindsay pulled open the refrigerator and set a platter inside, then joined them by the sink. “I swear I live in a Hallmark movie.” She grabbed a piece of celery from a tray on the counter and bit into it. “Can’t you just celebrate the hot sex and steamy kisses and then move on to another pasture?”
“No,” Sophie said sharply.
“Just because you don’t want to settle down one day, Lindsay Anne, doesn’t mean it’s wrong for Sophie to dream of more with her man.”
“I never said I was dreaming of more.” At least not out loud.
Lindsay rolled her eyes. “You didn’t have to. It’s written in those starry eyes of yours.”
