“I wouldn’t be so sure about that,” Seb says, kissing the top of my head. “I taught her how to catch, and she already has a mean, little fastball. You might be surprised the next time you throw something at her. Of course, if I’m around, I’m going to be the one to throw the ball back to you. And it’s going right at your head. I’m pretty accurate from at least a couple hundred feet.”
Jake looks up at him, eyes wide. “You’re the most accurate catcher ever. Your throw to second is perfect every time. You’re perfect. You rarely make an error, and you never have a passed ball. Please be my best friend, Seb Miller. Please. I swear Luke made me throw the ball at her.”
Luke backhands him across the chest. “It was all Jake’s idea,” he says, looking up at Seb with the same wide eyes. “You really taught her how to catch?”
“I really did.” Seb squeezes me tighter.
Luke looks at me, shaking his head. “I’ve never been more jealous of you in my life, and that includes the time Mom and Dad took you to Great America and left us at home because we buried Mr. BunBun in the backyard.”
Seb laughs and tilts my head up to look at him. “Do I want to know who Mr. BunBun is?”
“My stuffed rabbit. Sadly, he never recovered from the trauma of that day.”
“Well it looks like you two have ganged up on Sophie her entire life,” Seb says. “Just know that I’m on her team now, and I take winning very seriously. I don’t take prisoners.”
“I would be happy to be your prisoner—”
“Shut up, you weirdo.” I push Jake into Luke. “You’re both out of control. Stop fanboying all over him. He’s just a guy.”
“The best guy ever created.” Jake reaches over to touch Seb’s arm. “I just touched Seb Miller’s throwing arm.”
“What is wrong with you?” I swat Jake’s arm away and look up at Seb. “I’m so sorry. I’d like to tell you they get more tolerable, but they don’t. And my dad’s going to be even worse.”
“I’ll live,” Seb says, putting his hand under my chin. “If they’re the price I have to pay to be with you, I’ll gladly pay it.”
As he leans down to kiss me, Luke and Jake start making kissing noises. Seb looks up at them.
“You’re excused,” he says as he finds my lips again.
“Yes, sir!” They both back up quickly.
“If Sophie ever disappoints you in any way,” Jake says, stopping for a second, “please let us know, and we will correct it immediately.”
“Go away,” Seb growls. “Now.”
I laugh as my brothers run back into the ballroom.
“That’s the most romantic thing anyone has ever done for me,” I say as Seb leans over to kiss me again.
“If that’s the most romantic thing anyone has done for you, we’ve got a lot of work to do.” He laces his fingers through mine and pulls me back into the ballroom. “Let’s start with you teaching me how to dance.”
“What? Really? You’re going to dance?”
“I’m going to try,” he says as he pulls me onto the dance floor and then turns to face me. “Tell me what to do.”
“Well, it’s a little like catching,” I say, beaming up at him. “First, put your arms around me and trap me to your chest.”
He grabs me and pulls me firmly against him. “Done. I like that part. What’s next?”
“Just start swaying, kind of like this. Yes, that’s perfect!”
“This is where it gets complicated.” His forehead wrinkles up. “Do I have to move my feet? I don’t want to step on your toes.”
“You don’t have to, but if you do, I promise I’ll keep my feet out of your way.”
He moves his feet a little bit side-to-side.
“That’s good. And, unlike catching, you can close your eyes if you want—”