“She’s a stubborn girl, Miss Margaret—always insisting on doing my job.” Charlotte chuckled.

“I’m just doing my part,” Sophie defended herself. “I’m glad I caught you before I left for class. Your schedule is all cleared for this morning. Karen sent you an email with some questions about the fundraiser. We can get back to her by the end of the day, and Mr. Graves wanted to reschedule your meeting from yesterday to this afternoon. He says he has some things he wants to run by you and doesn’t want to wait.”

“Very well, dear.” Margaret smiled appreciatively. “What would I do without you ladies in my life taking care of me?”

“Relax this morning, Margaret, have a bath or something. We can save the world after lunch,” Sophie teased.

“A bath does sound nice,” Margaret said wistfully.

Sophie flew through her morning of classes. Most of the professors had lost interest in trying to push their lectures until the very end. Everyone’s mind was occupied by the summer ahead, planning their adventures. Everyone except for Sophie, who planned to work every opportunity she had to make her savings account slightly less pathetic.

She called Mel the first opportunity she had, hoping she was already up.

Mel answered the phone after the first ring. “Tell me you slept with that man god you brought last night,” she said.

“Glad to see you’re back to your old self.” Sophie rolled her eyes.

“I know you’re rolling your eyes at me, Sophie, but seriously, does he have a brother, or cousin, anything?” Mel rambled.

“No, only child, and I don’t know of any extended family. Sorry, but if you want a shot at Ashton, go for it.” Sophie didn’t have any claim on him but a small part of her hated the idea of Ashton being with someone else.

“Yeah, right. I saw the way he looked at you. He looks at you like you’re the only girl in the world. I mean, did you see my tits in that shirt last night? Not one look.”

Sophie laughed. “You’re wrong. I don’t know what we have but it’s far from ever being anything.”

“Riiiggghhhttt. You know I love you, right?”

“Yep.”

“Good. Stop being stupid!” Mel barked into the phone.

Sophie sighed. “I gotta go.”

“Dream boat paid for me to stay tonight too. I’ll be here till tomorrow when I have to face the world again and go to work.”

“Are you sure you’re up for work after what happened?” Sophie questioned. Mel’s relationship with Corbin had taken its toll on her. It was the first time Sophie had seen Mel so vulnerable.

“I’m fine. I’m not letting that asshole have the satisfaction of interfering with my life anymore. You’re still coming, right?”

“Ugh…yes.” Sophie sighed in defeat. Any hope she had that Mel would forget died away.

“Good. Give hottie a big thank you kiss for me right on the…”

Sophie cut her off. “Gotta go! Bye.”

Before she tucked her phone away she sent a message to Jack.

Sophie: Home yet?

 

Jack: No, no yet.

 

Sophie: Are you really away or are you avoiding me?

 

Jack: Never. I’d rather spend time with you than be here.

 

Sophie: I spent the night with Ashton. Not what you think. We just slept…at least I did. He helped me with a friend. I saw another side of him.

 

Jack: And?

 

Sophie: I don’t know. I just know when I was sleeping against him I felt like I was home. Is that weird?

 

Jack: No.

 

Sophie: Anyway do you want to hear something crazy? I agreed to work at a strip joint tomorrow night for my friend Mel. Not taking clothes off but it will be my first time there. Getting nervous now that it’s getting close.

 

Jack: What! Why would you do that?

 

Sophie: She asked. Maybe it’s time to do something a little crazy. I always play it safe and besides it’s hard to say no to Mel. She makes everything sound like the greatest idea ever. They just want extra girls mingling for the event. It seems simple enough.

 

Jack: Probably not a good idea. Being around a bunch of rammed up guys. NOT good.

 

Sophie: Are you worried about me? Sweet but I am a big girl. I will be fine. I already agreed anyway.

 

Jack: Cancel.

 

Sophie: Nope.

 

Jack: What place?

 

Sophie: Be happy that I am gonna shake things up a bit and stop being boring.

 

Jack: What place? Safe is good. Safe is very very good and you are far from boring.

 

Jack: Don’t do it.

 

Jack: Seriously don’t do it.

 

Jack: Sophie?

 

Sophie didn’t bother answering his text. Jack seemed so adamant about her not going through with it. She wasn’t going to change her mind. She’d already told Mel she would. Sophie tucked her phone in her purse and headed toward the bus stop. She had a lot of things to do this afternoon with Margaret before her shift at the restaurant.

When Sophie walked into the restaurant that evening it was busy as usual. She grabbed her apron and set to work. She tried to pretend she didn’t notice Sam’s subtle looks. When she caught him watching her she gave him an innocent, friendly wave. The evening passed quickly with the rush of customers.

Megan flagged her down when she walked into the kitchen. “Hey, Sophie, Jack is at the bar asking for you.”

“I didn’t know he was back. Thank you.” Sophie beamed, heading in his direction.

Jack looked up and noticed her approach. An adorable smile brightened his entire face.

“Sophie. How have you been?”

“Great! Why didn’t you tell me you were back?” Sophie questioned excitedly.

A baffled expression crossed his features. “I just got in this afternoon. I came here tonight hoping you would give me a second chance after running out on you last time.”

Sophie bumped her shoulder into his arm. “Of course. How do you want to make it up to me?” Sophie teased playfully.

“Any way you want.” He suddenly seemed nervous.

“Ooh, how about that expensive dinner you promised me?” Sophie wiggled her eyebrows. Jack’s confusion wiped away his smile. “Have you forgotten already that you owe me for telling you all my secrets?” Sophie searched for recognition in his expression, anything that indicated he knew what she was talking about. “Do you have any idea what I’m talking about? Our texts?”

“Texts?” His expression confirmed that he had no knowledge of the conversations. Oh god.

Sophie’s stomach twisted with the realization that Jack was not the person she had been texting. She suddenly felt sick to her stomach. “Excuse me, Jack. I suddenly don’t feel well.” She could feel all the color drain from her face as she flew toward the bathroom.

“Sophie?” Jack called after her.

Pushing the door open to the washroom, Sophie locked herself in a stall. She tried to take deep, calming breaths but panic had a tight hold on her.

The bathroom door opened. “Sophie?” Lori called hesitantly as she walked in.

“Yeah?” Sophie’s voice sounded brittle.

“Sam said you didn’t look well. I wanted to check on you.” Lori’s feet stopped in front of the stall door. “I saw you talking to Jack. Is everything okay?”