31| Letting In

Midday had come and gone, and Sophie sat at the counter nursing a cup of coffee.

She had been working nonstop, hoping that if she kept busy enough, maybe she wouldn't have to feel.

But it wasn't working.

God, she hated today.

Yesterday had been even worse.

Tonight if she saw Ethan, what would she even say? What would they say?

She hated feeling like this.

The bell above the shop door jingled.

Great. Now she had to pretend to be happy again.

She looked up, already bracing herself, but when she saw Lucas strolling in, her mood soured even more.

"Whatever it is you have to say, move it to tomorrow," she muttered. "I don't have the time or energy for it." Her tone was dry, unkind, not like her usual self.

Lucas blinked, clearly taken aback. "Whoa. Sophie, are you okay?"

"No," she said flatly. "Now, please leave me alone."

But of course, Lucas ignored her. He pulled out a chair and sat down across from her, completely unfazed.

"It's okay, I come in peace," he said, leaning back. "And besides, you look like you need someone to talk to."

"Lucas, please—"

"Maybe even someone you can swear at," he interrupted, smirking. "Trust me, I'm not Lily. I can take it."

Sophie groaned, rubbing her temple. "I can't do this today."

"You're doing that thing again," he said.

Her eyes narrowed. "What thing?"

"That thing you do where you shut people out."

Sophie scoffed, shaking her head. "I never do that."

The last thing she wanted was to be psychoanalyzed.

Lucas raised an eyebrow. "Come on, Sophie. I've known you my whole life. I know you never liked me, but I liked you, so I watched you. All the time."

Normally, she would've cursed at him.

But Lucas had always been honest with her, and she knew he wasn't a bad person.

At times, he was her friend. Other times, her enemy.

And now, he was just... Lucas.

"I can't respond to your feelings, Lucas," she said quietly. "I'm sorry."

"I know." His smile was small, but genuine. "That's partly why I'm here. I think I found someone. Someone I actually like. Someone who gave me a chance."

Sophie looked at him, startled. "Really?" A small, genuine smile formed on her lips.

"Yeah," he nodded. "And, you know... I didn't give up on you just because you got married. I gave up because I met someone who finally let me in."

Sophie stared at him, confused.

Then Lucas hesitated, his expression turning more serious.

"I saw how you looked today," he said, voice softer. "And it reminded me of something."

Sophie didn't respond.

She wasn't sure she could.

Lucas leaned forward, his fingers tapping lightly against the counter.

"After your dad died, I really wanted to help you," he admitted. "I tried to help you. Because I realized that no matter what I did, no matter how much I tried... you wouldn't let me."

Sophie's breath hitched.

"You shut everyone out," he continued, his voice gentler now. "Your mom. Lily. Mia. Me."

Her chest tightened.

"It took me years to understand that it wasn't because you didn't care about us. It was because you were scared to need anyone."

Silence.

Sophie's throat felt tight, her fingers clenching around her coffee cup.

Lucas exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. "So, while I was a little sad that you moved on, I was also kinda happy. Because I thought maybe you'd finally let someone in."

His gaze met hers.

"So?" he asked. "Did you let him in?"

Everything went silent.

A silence that felt too heavy.

"I'll still be sad if you're still that girl fighting all her battles alone."

Sophie's heart stopped.

Because she knew the answer.

She hated that she knew the answer.

"No... I didn't."

She whispered it, barely loud enough to be heard.

No, she hadn't.

She hadn't told Ethan that the reason she was so upset was because she liked him so much it drove her crazy.

She hadn't told him how she felt.

Instead, she had accused him. She had lashed out, said things meant to hurt him.

And the worst part?

She didn't regret it.

She had been so focused on protecting herself, on shielding her own feelings, that she might have hurt him more than she realized.

Lucas patted her head. "Relationships are not easy—"

Sophie forced out a laugh, shoving his hand away. "Shut up. I don't wanna hear that from you."

Lucas grinned, leaning back in his chair. "Hey, I'm just saying—"

Before he could finish, the back door swung open, Lily stepped into the shop, arms crossed. "What's going on over here?"

"Great timing, Lily," Lucas said, grinning. "Sophie, Lily the great Lucas Anderson has come to apologize."

Lily's mouth dropped open. "What's this? Lucas apologizing? What's next, pigs flying?"

"I know, right? I'm amazing." He flashed a smug grin. "Yeah, I was pretty shitty before, but the woman I'm seeing has made me appreciate the softer things in life."

Lily narrowed her eyes. "You're seeing someone? No. This must be a dream."

Lucas smirked. "Oh, and while I'm in the spirit of making amends—Lily, I'm also sorry for that time I told that guy you were seeing that you were crazy."

Lily froze. "You did what?"

Lucas winced. "Yeah... not the good kind of crazy either."

"No wonder that guy stopped texting me!" Lily huffed, looking genuinely pissed.

"That's why I'm apologizing," Lucas said smoothly. "Lily." He stressed her name, as if that somehow made it better.

"You're lucky I didn't actually like him that much," Lily grumbled. But then her curiosity got the better of her. "So, look at you, moving on so fast. I never thought you'd get over my wonderful Sophie here. Who's the poor girl?"

Lucas chuckled. "Her name's Emily. She's amazing."

Lily snorted. "Well, good for you. But just so you know, I'm never  forgiving you for sabotaging my love life with Jared."

Lucas rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah, I already warned Jared about your trifling hands."

Lily looked offended. "You're protecting him from me?"

"Duh. Us hot guys gotta stick together."

Lily gagged. "I think I just threw up a little."

Lucas ignored her, turning back to Sophie, who had been completely tuned out of their argument.

"I actually came with a proposal," he said, getting back on track. "What if our shops collaborated on special projects? Weddings, events, community activities. I think we could both benefit from working together."

Sophie blinked. "You want to collaborate?"

Lucas nodded. "Yeah. I think it could be good for both of us."

Sophie considered it. Despite his many faults, Lucas was a great businessman. And maybe... just maybe, working together could turn out to be a good thing.

"Alright, Lucas," she said after a pause. "Let's give it a try."

Lily patted Lucas on the back. "Look at you, all grown up."

Lucas grinned. "I know, right? Thanks, Lily. And thank you, Sophie. Let's make this work."

As he stood to leave, he clapped his hands together, grinning. "Alright! Let's bring it in for a collaboration group hug!"

Lily recoiled instantly. "I'll pass, thanks."

"Yeah, me too," Sophie added, though she was smiling slightly.

Lucas dramatically clutched his chest. "Oh, come on. Don't leave me hanging like this."

Sophie sighed. He had been good to her today, actually helping her see things clearly.

"Fine," she relented, stepping forward. "Just this once."

Lucas grinned triumphantly, wrapping his arms around her. But, being Lucas, he couldn't just leave it at that.

Before Sophie could react, he lifted her off the ground, spinning her once.

"Lucas!" she yelled, swatting at him as he set her down.

"You know, Sophie," he said, ruffling her hair, "I hate seeing you sad. Whatever it is, I know you'll figure it out."

And with that, he strolled out, leaving Sophie standing there, stunned.

Lily let out a low whistle. "You know, when he acts like that... he actually looks kinda hot."

Sophie's jaw dropped. "LILY."

"Wait, wait, I can't believe I just said that," Lily shuddered. "I need to sterilize my mouth."

Sophie, still recovering from the chaos that was Lucas, shook her head. But something in her chest felt lighter.

Because now she knew.

She had to talk to Ethan.

Even if it meant being turned down.

Even if it meant he rejected her again.

At least this time—she had to try.

Lily eyed her carefully. "You okay, Soph? You seemed down earlier."

Sophie let out a slow breath. "I've been better."

But Lucas, against all odds, had actually helped.

Even saying that felt wrong.

"But I need to talk to Ethan," she admitted.

Lily squeezed her hand. "You'll figure it out."

Sophie smiled. "Thanks, Lily. I needed that."

Because for the first time in days, she wasn't going to run.

She was going to be honest.

With herself. With him.

"Lily, I'm going home early today," Sophie announced, grabbing her bag.

Lily grinned. "Finally. Took you long enough to stop sulking and actually face the problem."

Sophie rolled her eyes, but she didn't argue.

But as she turned to leave, Lily smirked. "But Sophie, you're forgetting something."

Sophie frowned. "What?"

"The deliveries."

Sophie groaned. "I was hoping you'd do them."

"I would've," Lily admitted. "But..."

Sophie sighed, already knowing where this was going. "You failed your driving test again, didn't you?"

Lily looked sheepish. "I was close this time."

Sophie laughed, shaking her head. "It's fine, I'll do them. It's just to the grocery store nearby—it won't take long."

And with that, Sophie grabbed the deliveries, making her way out the door.

She was having a major breakdown, but she knew what she had to do.

She had to see Ethan.

She had to talk to him.

She couldn't believe she had let Claire's words get to her.

She hadn't even heard him out.

He had told her he didn't have feelings for Claire.

And the truth was, it had never been about Claire.

Because deep down, all she really wanted—

Was for Ethan to tell her he had feelings for her.

When she got home, the house was empty.

As usual.

She went through the motions of her routine, convincing herself it was fine. That he would come home. That they would talk.

So she waited.

And waited.

And waited.

But Ethan didn't come home that night.

When she woke up on the couch, her neck stiff and her limbs tangled in the blanket, her first thought was that he was being petty. After all, he always carried her to bed, even when they weren't speaking. Even when they were angry.

But this wasn't that.

This was worse.

Because his shoes weren't by the door.

His keys weren't where he always left them.

And his car wasn't outside.

He hadn't called. He hadn't texted.

He hadn't come home at all.

Sophie tried to shake off the sinking dread in her stomach, but at this point—

It was useless.

Because she knew what this felt like.

And it felt like losing him.

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