Page 18 of Between Regrets and Promises (Between Us Trilogy #2)

SOPHIE

SIX MONTHS EARLIER

It’s hard to believe Lennon could basically go into labor anytime now.

I’m over-the-moon excited to be an aunt for the first time and can’t wait to hold that sweet precious miracle.

The days aren’t passing fast enough, and Lennon agrees.

She’s ready to burst and complains daily about how she’s sick of being pregnant.

My phone buzzes and pulls me away from my thoughts as I pack up my violin.

This weekend is the last performance of the Christmas program, and we’ll be playing all the classics.

Most members of the orchestra are busy during this time of year, so our director agreed to change rehearsals to twice a week instead of our typical schedule.

Pulling my phone from my pocket, I unlock it and smirk when I find a text from Liam.

Liam

Any luck on that stupid dating app?

I chuckle, knowing he’s used the same one in the past. He’s been ragging me ever since I downloaded it, but I blame Maddie.

Sophie

Hardly. Every date I’ve been on has sucked. If you can even call them dates.

Liam

Thinking about trying it again. Might help me expand my pussy portfolio.

Sophie

You’re disgusting.

I can imagine the smug look on his face and shake my head.

Honestly, I’m ready to give up on this app and dating in general, but I’m trying.

Maddie forced me to give it a chance because it’s more than obvious Mason isn’t interested.

Instead of continuing to get my hopes up, I knew it was time to move on.

I’ve been on a few awkward dates, a couple of shitty ones, and some that made me want to fall asleep from boredom.

I’m not hopeful, but at this point, I have nothing to lose—except maybe my will to live.

I’m not getting any younger, and I don’t want to be single forever, which is inevitable if I don’t put myself out there.

I wish there was a singles app for musicians, but until then, I’ll stay on this one and weed through the weirdos.

Liam

Wanna hang out tonight? I’m off tomorrow.

Sophie

Nah. I’m exhausted from playing so many shows and want to go to sleep early. I’m ready to crash, and I have more performances this weekend.

Liam

Fine! Guess I’ll hang out all by myself.

I grab my violin and walk to my car. As I cross the parking lot, I find it hilarious he’s trying to guilt trip me, but I really am exhausted. All I want to do is eat dinner, shower, and lock myself in my room away from Maria and Carter.

Liam’s great company, but I’m not sure I would be. If we watched a movie, I’d fall asleep. If we had dinner, I wouldn’t be any fun. Right now, I want to decompress and not socialize. After I get inside the car and crank it, I text Liam back.

Sophie

I’m sure there’s someone you can hang out with in your long list of contacts. Start at the letter A and work your way down

Liam

You’re right. Maybe we can get together next weekend?

Sophie

I might be able to squeeze you into my schedule!

I tuck my phone away, then drive home. I think Liam’s noticed how I’ve tried to create distance by not going over to their house as much.

Each time I’ve been there, Mason has treated me like shit anyway.

Plus, I’m trying the whole “out of sight, out of mind” trick, hoping it will allow me to forget Mason and our past once and for all.

Though it feels as if it’s all burned into my memory.

Liam hasn’t called me out on it yet, but he knows my real feelings. How can he not after all this time?

I’m hungry and tired, so I stop at a restaurant and grab a chicken salad to go.

It doesn’t take long before my food is ready, and I’m on my way to the apartment.

When I arrive home, Carter’s car is parked in Maria’s spot and I’m half-tempted to run my key down the driver’s side.

I suck in a deep breath and try to get rid of the scowl before I walk inside, but it’s no use.

His socks and shoes lie in the middle of the floor as he sits on the couch with his feet propped up on the coffee table.

The TV is so damn loud. If he’s not hard of hearing, he will be.

Carter gives me one of those douchey head nods, but I ignore him.

It’s gotten to where I can’t pretend to make small talk anymore, though he doesn’t know how to take a hint.

I go to my room so I can eat in peace and quiet. Well, try to anyway.

It’s not even seven yet, but I’m ready to fall asleep.

After I take a shower and am comfortable in my bed, I scroll through my email on my phone, but before I set it down, I notice a few notifications on the dating app.

Curious, I open it to see what perv has messaged me this time and consider taking a screenshot to send to Maddie so she can at least be entertained by my pathetic love life.

As expected, the dirty-talking douchebags have filled my inbox, but then I see another message that’s shockingly normal.

His name is Weston, he’s 29, and by his profile picture alone, he looks decent and charming.

Weston

Hi, Sophie! It’s nice to virtually “meet” you. I see you’re in Sacramento as well, so we’re close. I’m probably being forward, but I can tell there’s something special about you just from your profile picture. Chat soon?

I go to his profile and scroll through his photos. The man has his shit together, that much is certain. Seeing he’s still online, I go back to my inbox and reply.

Sophie

Hi! Thanks for the note It’s nice to virtually “meet” you too. Honestly, it’s refreshing not to get a message from a creeper.

Weston

I can only imagine what kind of messages you’ve gotten. So tell me about you, Sophie. You play violin professionally? That’s incredible.

Sophie

I’ve been playing since I was a teenager, and I love it. Music is everything to me. What do you do for a living?

Weston

I’m a correctional officer at the prison. Love my job and don’t mind most of my co-workers. Ha-ha. Plus, I wouldn’t be a homeowner without it.

I like how he conveniently threw that in there, and I find myself smiling as I chat with him.

Sophie

Wow, how awesome!

Weston

Yeah, thanks! Random, maybe, but…do you like to eat?

I chuckle, hoping this conversation isn’t about to turn weird by him having some strange fetish with food or something.

Sophie

Who doesn’t love to eat? My favorite is breakfast food!

Weston

Great! I know a great place that serves the best breakfast I’ve ever eaten. We should do brunch. I’d love to chat with you in person. See your smile. Hear your laughter. Get to know you better.

I’m genuinely grinning at how candid he’s being right now. My past few dates have sucked, but so far he seems different—I don’t get the urge to block him like the others. Also, he hasn’t asked to see my nipples yet, so that’s always a good sign.

I think about meeting him before replying, and at this point, I have nothing to lose. I grin and send him a message back.

Sophie

That sounds awesome When?

Weston

Are you available next weekend?

A smile touches my lips, a real one, and I look forward to meeting him. I know I told Liam we could possibly hang out, but he’d choose a date over me any day, so I don’t feel too bad about it.

Sophie

Yeah, let’s do it.

I’m taking a risk. This could go one of two ways—good or bad—and if he’s weird, like all the other men I’ve met from this app, I swear, I’m deleting my account and becoming a nun.

“I’m nervous as hell,” I tell Maddie, brushing my fingers through my hair. She called me on her way to practice as I was getting ready for my brunch date with Weston.

“He’s cute. Just be yourself. You’re a catch. Any man would be lucky to have you, sis.” I can hear the smile in her voice.

“And that’s why you’re my favorite sister,” I taunt, deciding to pull my hair half-up.

I want to look put together but not like I’m trying too hard.

We’ve been chatting over the last week, getting to know more about each other and finding out what we have in common.

He’s been normal and still hasn’t asked for any nudes, so I’m hopeful at this point.

“Just don’t do him on the first date. You gotta make guys work for it,” Maddie coaches me, then snickers. The irony isn’t lost on me, considering her sacred virgin status, though I have a feeling she’d toss it for a hot guy.

As I grab my keys, she continues talking about dance and her instructor, and my mind reluctantly goes to thoughts of Mason. Maybe I’m an idiot for sleeping with him so quickly, but I don’t regret it. I’m just disappointed it never led to anything more.

When I climb into the car, I end the call and try to push my thoughts of Mason away.

The man is more infuriating than rush hour traffic on a Friday afternoon.

Over the past year, he’s continued to frustrate me by consistently pulling me in, then pushing me away, usually within the same conversation.

It’s as if he’s afraid to get too close, and the moment he feels that shift, he pulls back.

I hate when he does that and wish he’d let me in, even as just friends.

I have to remind myself why I’m dating in the first place— to move on . I’m tempted to call Lennon, but she’s so focused on the baby coming that I don’t want to bother her with my lame drama. Instead, I turn on the radio and blast the music until I’m at the restaurant.

Glancing down at the clock, I realize I’m nearly twenty minutes early.

I take the extra time to try to get a hold of my nerves.

I wait ten minutes and see a message from Weston.

If he’s not a creep, I plan to exchange numbers with him so we don’t have to go back and forth on the app.

I’ve learned to never give my number until after we meet.

At this point, I should give up violin and write a book on how not to online date.

The Unsuccessful Adventures of Online Dating by #1 Single Girl Forever, undoubtedly bound to be a bestseller.