Page 80 of Between Regrets and Promises (Between Us Trilogy #2)

MASON

It’s nearly dark outside, and I’ve been staring at the computer screen for nearly twenty minutes.

Instead of wasting more time, I leave. Sophie agreed to watch a movie with me, and I’m not going to pass up the opportunity to spend time with her.

I’ve been trying to shift us back to where we were in our friendship before the Serena argument and without all the awkwardness.

It’s still a struggle, being up and down, but I won’t complain.

After what she went through, I’m still so proud she’s come this far and continues her therapy to help her.

I try to give her space and let her do things in her own time, but I also refuse to let her go through it alone.

Sophie is sometimes too proud to ask for help, to ask for anything.

She’s always so concerned with everyone else, she often forgets about herself, but that hasn’t changed since the first day I met her.

Nothing can change her kind soul, not Weston and not his brother either.

On the way home, I pick up a pizza, just the way Sophie likes it.

There’s little to no traffic tonight, and it takes me no time to arrive, but then I notice that Liam isn’t home.

While I love his company, I’m happy to spend some alone time with Sophie since he rudely interrupted our breakfast this morning.

When I walk in, all the lights are off. I call for Sophie but don’t get a response.

Setting the pizza down on the coffee table, I go to her room and knock on the door.

When I don’t get an answer, I crack it open, but she’s not inside.

Her violin case is on her bed, and her music stand has sheets on it.

Knowing she played today makes me smile because of how much joy it brings her when she’s not pressuring herself.

Though I talked to her earlier and know she didn’t have the best day, she still came home and practiced. That’s the type of determination that can’t be taught. Some people have it, and some people don’t. Sophie’s a fighter.

“Soph?” I call out again into the house but don’t get a response. I check the upstairs and downstairs bathrooms, but they’re both empty too.

I grow more worried but make another walk around the house to double check. I release a frustrated groan and pull out my phone. Before I can text her, the door swings open.

Sophie and Liam barge in loud as fuck, laughing about God knows what, and Liam’s carrying a pizza in his hand.

“Where the hell have you been?” I ask Sophie, and my tone comes out harsher than I intend. Sucking in a deep breath, I calm my panic because my mind went to a dark place when I couldn’t find her.

Liam shakes his head and sets the pizza on the table next to the one I picked up.

“Pizza?” Sophie asks, giggling. “Great minds.”

I narrow my eyes as she plops down on the couch.

“Are you drunk?”

“Oh, Mason,” she singsongs.

That’s a yes.

Opening the box, she grabs a slice, then takes a large bite . “Oh my God, this pizza is giving me so much life.”

I glance at Liam. “What the fuck, dude?”

He shrugs and stuffs his face with a piece, then sits in his recliner. “You should’ve told us you were grabbing dinner. I wouldn’t have stopped.”

Sophie laughs and grabs my arm, pulling me down next to her. “Chill out. There’s no such thing as too much pizza.”

I can’t help but notice the way her head falls back on her shoulders and how free she seems right now. It makes me miss her so goddamn much. I can’t put it into words how seeing her like this makes me feel, but it’s nothing more than a facade, a mask she’s currently wearing behind the alcohol.

“So you get my girlfriend drunk, then bring her home?” I ask Liam.

He gives me a smirk at my slipup.

Sophie shakes her head, but she grins. With a mouthful, she says, “I’m not drunk, scout’s honor.” Then she attempts to do the salute and fails when she can’t figure out if it’s two or three fingers.

“Listen, I offered to buy her a drink, not my fault she drank an entire bottle of wine in an hour,” Liam says, then grabs another piece.

“Seriously? In an hour?” My eyes grow wide with annoyance. She’s gonna be sick as hell tomorrow. She hasn’t drunk like that in forever.

“Are you trying to parent me, Mason?” Sophie lifts her eyebrows as if she’s daring me to keep talking. “Should I call you daddy now?” She snickers, and I give Liam the biggest you-motherfucker glare.

He bursts out laughing as I hold back a groan. “Jesus fuck, Soph. Don’t say shit like that.” I brush a hand through my hair, then decide if I can’t beat ’em, I might as well eat too.

Liam and Sophie practically destroy an entire pizza by themselves, and I have a few slices too, but I’m not in the giddiest state of mind like they are. Eventually, Liam decides to go upstairs. When the house is quiet, I study Sophie who looks like she’s dreaming of rainbows and unicorns.

Her hair falls into her eyes, and I can’t stop staring at how damn beautiful she is. Looking at her right now, I know without a doubt how I feel about this woman. I’d give her the whole world if she’d allow me to, and while she won’t right now, I’ll always be waiting.

As if she reads my mind, she stands, then falls into my lap.

I hold her close to my chest, smelling the freshness of her hair and feeling the warmth of her soft body pressed against mine.

I want to be this close to her for the rest of my life, and it nearly pains me when she pulls away to sit next to me.

Instantly, I miss her touch although we’re still close.

“I was worried about you,” I admit, staring at her.

She peers up at me, and I notice the way her tongue slides out of her mouth and swipes across her bottom lip, and I’ve never been so damn jealous of that tongue. I want to taste her again so fucking badly.

“I’m okay, Mason. I am. I promise.” The small smile plays across her lips. “Liam wanted me to break away from playing because I wouldn’t stop. I needed tonight.”

“I understand. I just…I thought something happened.” Perhaps I have PTSD from almost losing her. I worry every damn time she leaves the house, but I can’t ask her to check in with me every second of the day, not if she doesn’t want to.

“The only tragedy that happened tonight was I didn’t get a glass of champagne. Liam cut me off,” she says with an adorable pout as she shifts closer.

She’s being overly flirty, and I have to remind myself it’s the alcohol loosening all of her inhibitions. I tuck her hair behind her ear, and she leans into my touch.

“I’ve missed you,” she admits, and it causes my heart to lurch forward. “So damn much.”

“I’ve missed you too. But you know I’m always here for you, sweetheart. Right?”

Her hand rests on my leg, and I take any part of her that she’s willing to give me. Just being this close to her is driving me absolutely crazy.

Sophie clears her throat as if she has something serious to say.

“Listen, I’m sorry about last week when we fought about Serena.

I should’ve been more understanding of your friendship.

I can’t say I’m not jealous because I am, but I should trust you enough not to let my insecurities get the best of me. ”

I release a deep breath and rest my hand on top of hers, relieved to hear those words. The last thing I want to do is fight with her, especially when the undeniable electricity streams between us. “I am too. I should’ve also understood where you were coming from.”

“Mason, you didn’t do anything wrong. I feel guilty for ruining your celebration dinner. I acted like a jealous ex-girlfriend when I had no right to.” Her breath hitches when she realizes the words she said, and I notice the way her chest rises and falls with every ragged breath.

“You didn’t ruin anything,” I reassure her.

“And you technically can’t be a jealous ex-girlfriend.

If you ever take the girlfriend label, trust me when I say there will never be an ex in front of it, only a Mrs.” I wink, though I’m being one hundred percent honest. Our relationship being on pause or limbo—or whatever the hell it is—wouldn’t stop me from marrying her tomorrow.

Sophie playfully rolls her eyes, not taking me seriously. “For real though, I’m sorry for getting upset about Serena.” She chews on the corner of her lip, and I have to remind myself not to lean in and kiss her, but resisting the temptation has been one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do.

“You have nothing to worry about, ever. Serena and I are just friends, and that’s it. I promise.”

“That’s good to know. I hope she knows.” She blushes, then yawns. “I think I’m gonna go to bed, so I can be somewhat functional tomorrow. I’ve had a long day.” She stands, then takes a few steps away, and when I think our time is up, she looks over her shoulder at me. “Coming?”

I raise my brows when she holds out her hand. It’s hard for me to tell her no, and she’s testing every bit of willpower I have left. If I’m not careful, it’s going to fucking snap.

Slowly and wobbly, she leads me through the living room and to her bedroom. She closes the door and looks up at me with a sexy little smirk playing on her lips.

“I need you, Mason,” she whispers, then sucks in her lower lip like a temptress.

Fuck. Me.

“Soph,” I say cautiously, cupping her cheek and rubbing my thumb over it like I’ve done dozens of times before.

“Please?” she asks, nearly begging.

“I can’t,” I begrudgingly say.

Not taking no for an answer, she begins to take off her clothes.

Carefully, she pulls off her shirt and drops it to the floor.

Not waiting another second, she unbuttons and unzips her shorts, then kicks them away while keeping her eyes locked with mine.

She stands in only her bra and panties, and my hands ball into fists to keep myself from reaching out and touching her.

I bite down on my bottom lip and swallow hard as I study every soft curve of her body and grow harder with each passing second.

“Soph,” I growl. “We can’t.”