Page 19 of Between Regrets and Promises (Between Us Trilogy #2)

Cracking up at my own pathetic joke, I walk toward the front of the restaurant when I see him heading toward me.

Tall with dark hair and a sharp jaw. Damn, his picture didn’t do him justice.

He smiles when his eyes meet mine and my cheeks heat.

Weston is as sexy as sin in a dark blue polo shirt and jeans, and I worry I didn’t dress up enough.

“Hi,” he rasps.

“Hello,” I reply shyly.

He opens the door for me and gestures for me to walk through ahead of him. A gentleman from the start. I already like where this is going, considering the last guy I agreed to meet up with barely peeled his eyes off my chest long enough to hold a conversation.

“You look great, Sophie.” He shoots me a wink, which causes me to blush.

“Thanks, you too.” And I mean it, allowing my eyes to linger over his large biceps.

Weston places his hand on the small of my back as the waitress leads us to a table.

Before we sit, Weston pulls out my chair for me.

I’ve never had a man be so effortlessly polite, and I’m honestly impressed.

She hands us some menus, and we look over them while she grabs our coffee.

I can’t help but glance at Weston and notice his strong jawline and plump, kissable lips.

Once our mugs are delivered, the waitress takes our order.

“I’d like the blueberry pancakes with sausage,” I tell her.

“I’ll have the same thing.” He shoots me a wink.

As I add cream and sugar to my coffee, Weston takes a sip of his without anything in it.

“So where do you see yourself in five years?” he asks.

“Hmm.” I tap my finger across my lips. “I hope to be married and starting a family, but at the very least, living in my own place.”

Weston’s kind eyes meet mine. “So you have a roommate?”

“Yeah, my friend Maria, well, and her boyfriend too. He’s a new addition, though.” I try not to seem annoyed by him, but I think Weston notices. Anytime I think about Carter, curse words ensue soon after, but I’m trying to be on my best behavior. First impressions and all.

“Uh-oh.” He chuckles, noticing the change in my demeanor.

“I’m particular and don’t care for change, but he’s shaken things up around the apartment and is a slob.”

I realize I’m rambling and try to wrap up this topic. “But I’m easy to get along with otherwise. It’s small things that irk me, like mustard smeared on the counter or a sip of milk being left in the carton.”

Weston chuckles at that last bit. “Yeah, that’d irk me too for sure. Probably one of the main reasons I live alone. I’m saving my space for the woman I’m gonna spend the rest of my life with. Just waiting to find her. Maybe I have.”

The butterflies in my stomach flutter again. He knows exactly what to say, and I’m all smiles as our food arrives. We eat and chat about everything, and the conversation doesn’t seem to drop once. Being with him already feels so natural. It’s as if I’ve known him a lifetime.

“Do you like playing professionally? Or is it one of those things that turned your passion into a chore? I hear that happens sometimes with creative professions.”

I appreciate that he’s more interested in asking me questions than talking only about himself, which is different from the other guys I’ve met from the app. Weston listens as I chat about violin and how it essentially changed my life.

“It’s my escape,” I admit. “Music is deeply ingrained inside me, and it does something to my soul. Nothing in my life has ever affected me the same way violin has.”

“Wow,” he whispers. “I’ve never met anyone quite like you, Sophie.

You’re beautiful, intelligent, talented.

” He leans forward, resting his arms on the table in front of him and flashes a panty-dropping smirk.

“So when do you want to get married?” He winks before leaning back to take a sip of his coffee, and I nearly choke from his words.

“Tomorrow?” I taunt. “I mean, Vegas is only a few hours away.”

“Don’t tempt me, sweetheart.” His voice is velvety sweet, and though we’re finished eating, I don’t want this day to end. By the way he’s looking at me, I think he feels the same. Or at least I hope.

The waitress brings the check, and Weston quickly hands her his card.

“I can take care of mine,” I insist.

“Now, it wouldn’t be a date if you paid, and that’s exactly what this is,” he explains, grinning. I know our time together is coming to an end when the waitress asks us several times if we need anything else after Weston pays. We take the hint and decide to leave.

Weston politely walks me to my car and pulls me into a hug before we part ways. It feels nice, comforting to be in his strong arms.

“Can I see you again?” he asks, opening my door for me.

“Absolutely,” I say without hesitation. Weston leans down and presses his lips to my cheek.

“I’ll call you soon to set something up.” He smirks before crossing the parking lot. As he walks away, I let out a shaky, excited breath. I can’t wait to see him again.

Before I drive home, I text Maddie and let her know how it went.

Maddie

OMG! That’s SOOO exciting! Wait, so why aren’t you doing him right now if it went well?

I roll my eyes. She always has sex on the brain.

Sophie

Because I want to get to know him first! Geez. I didn’t get the app for booty calls.

Maddie

Okay, fair. When are you seeing him again?

Sophie

We agreed to set something up soon. Also, can you keep this between me and you? Lennon is ready to pop any day now, and if this doesn’t work out, I don’t want to hear it.

Maddie

Secret’s safe with me.

Sophie

And that’s why you’re my favorite

We say our goodbyes, and I drive home with a goofy smile on my face. Maybe I won’t give up on dating after all. A few hours with Weston has changed my mind and maybe I won’t be single forever.

For the past week, I’ve spoken to Weston every single day on the phone, and I’m almost scared of how easy it feels.

After I head to the rehearsal hall for a quick meeting, I get a text from him, asking me over for a movie and dinner this weekend. I nearly squeal and can’t type my response fast enough.

I’m on cloud nine the rest of the day and text Lennon before I go to bed to tell her the news, since I plan on seeing Weston again.

Lately, she’s been busy preparing for the arrival of the baby and stressed out about our parents not talking to her that my relationship woes seem so childish to mention.

I send her a picture of him, then share all the details, and how we’re going out again this weekend.

Thankfully, she’s supportive and excited for me, but I feel bad for not telling her right away.

Everything in my life seems to be working out, and for the first time in a while, all the pieces of my life are falling together. Before I go to bed, I text Weston good night. He’s working the night shift, so I’m surprised when I get a response.

Weston

Good night, sweetie. Can’t wait to see you soon.

Sophie

Same! I can’t wait either.

A smile touches my lips before I fall asleep.

When I wake up the following morning, I check my phone and read several messages from Lennon. I squeal when I find out she’s in labor.

It takes me less than five minutes to get dressed as I try to contact her or Hunter. Maddie calls me as I head across town to pick her up at her dorm.

“I’m on the way,” I say in a rushed tone, hoping we don’t miss the arrival of the baby.

“Okay, hurry up! But be careful! Oh my God! We’re gonna be aunts!” Maddie squeals.

Becoming an aunt, finding a man I adore, kicking ass at violin…I’m on top of the world at the moment, and it feels fucking amazing.

After I get Maddie, we chat about how much we’re going to spoil our niece on the way to the hospital.

Lennon calls to check on our location and tell us she’s not delivering yet, but I don’t think she realizes we wouldn’t miss this for a million dollars.

It takes no time to make it there, and I have to tell Maddie to bring her excitement down a few notches before seeing Lennon, but she doesn’t listen to me, or anyone, ever.

As soon as we walk into the room, Maddie startles, which makes me chuckle.

“Whew, no baby yet,” she says as soon as she sees Lennon.

“Where’s loverboy?” I tease with a shit-eating grin when I notice Hunter isn’t around.

Lennon filled us in on everything that’s happened since they returned from Utah back in July and the details of our mother showing up two months ago.

It’s been rocky since she found out she was pregnant with her dead boyfriend’s baby.

She’s been slowly letting Hunter into her life, though she struggles emotionally with it, which is why I’ve been trying to give her space and time to adjust.

When Hunter returns, we chat about baby prep and different facts he’s learned about pregnancies.

It’s obvious how much he cares about Lennon and the baby, and I’m happy she has Hunter.

Although they hated each other in the beginning, it’s clear they’ve formed a close relationship now.

Grieving the loss of Brandon together has brought them closer.

I’m happy she has him, and that he’s been so willing to do anything for her, even if she doesn’t quite see what the rest of us do.

He’s so in love with her, and a part of me wonders how long it will be until she realizes it too.

Soon, Lennon has dilated enough to push. Seeing how much Hunter protects, comforts, and loves her through it all makes me respect him on a totally different level.

When I meet my niece for the first time, happy tears form in my eyes. Watching the birth of my niece quickly becomes one of the highlights of my life. We snap pictures, saving the memories that’ll last a lifetime. Maddie and I refuse to leave Lennon’s side until she’s rolled into the recovery room.

“You were taking photos?” she asks, yawning through her words. “Will you send me some?”