by Aimee McNeil
Sophie only nodded, unable to bring words to the surface with the mention of Ashton’s name. She watched Mel disappear into Dustin’s apartment but she didn’t leave, instead she pulled her phone from her purse. She stared at the screen for what seemed like a long time before she decided to send Ashton a message.
Sophie: Truth or Dare?
The seconds felt like minutes as they slowly ticked by…
Ashton: Truth.
Sophie: When are you coming back?
Ashton: I don’t know.
Sophie: Your turn.
Ashton: I gotta go.
I’m too late!
Sophie: Please ask me! I pick truth…
Ashton: Bye Sophie.
Sophie: You made me a believer.
Ten minutes.
Twenty minutes. Respond already!
Thirty minutes…please say something.
One hour…
Chapter
Twenty-Nine
Sophie looked in the mirror, retouching the gloss over her red stained lips. It was the exact same color as her dress. It was the day of her mother’s wedding and they had spent the entire morning at the spa indulging in beauty treatments, styling, and primping. She looked at her hair as it fell in perfect waves around her shoulders with the top swept up into a beautiful clip her mother had bought for her. It was the first time that Sophie had her makeup professionally done and she loved how the colors played around her eyes.
The contrast to her perfectly polished exterior, the chaos it shielded inside couldn’t be more opposite. She smiled at herself in the mirror, trying to make it as genuine as she could. Her mother deserved perfection on her wedding day but everything reminded her of Ashton. I screwed it all up and now it’s too late. He didn’t even respond.
Sophie picked up a bottle of perfume from the counter. The sweet aroma brightened her thoughts. It was a smell that accompanied countless memories of her mother when she was growing up. She always wore the same scent and it gave Sophie an overwhelming sense of comfort. Sophie wanted to make sure this day was perfect for her.
A knock on the door startled her. She opened it, gasping in surprise when Mel burst into the washroom.
“Mel! What are you doing here?” Sophie didn’t even try to contain her shock.
“You sounded a little off this morning. I wanted to check on you.” Mel was dressed in a beautiful black and white patterned dress. Sophie smiled at the transformation into a sophisticated woman. The fitted dress accentuated her natural beauty without having her body on display. Her hair was in a sleek style and her makeup soft.
“You look gorgeous, Mel,” Sophie complimented. She loved the fact that Mel wanted to impress her mother.
Mel looked down at the dress, smoothing it over her hips. “Yeah, I clean up all right.” Mel shrugged. “You’re not so bad yourself. No one would be able to tell that you have cried yourself to sleep for the last few weeks.
Sophie dropped her eyes to the floor. “I can’t call him. I can’t not call him. I feel like I’m stuck.” Sophie took a deep breath to stay the tears that threatened to fall. I will not ruin my makeup! I will not ruin my mother’s day!
“Why can’t you just call him, Sophie?” Mel looked at her like it was the simplest solution in the world.
“Because…what if he’s better off without me? What if he already moved on? What if he doesn’t want me anymore? He didn’t respond to my text.”
“Sophie, you’re being ridiculous!” Mel stomped her foot. “I just want to slap you. He. Still. Wants. You.”
“How do you know? He could be moving on and dating other people for all I know…wait? How could you possibly know that?” Sophie looked at Mel with an accusing look.
Mel widened her eyes and then tried to casually dismiss Sophie’s question by turning her attention to the perfume on the counter. “Ooh…what’s this?”
“No way, Mel. You look guilty. What did you do?” Sophie grabbed her arm and turned Mel to look at her.
“Don’t get mad, okay?” Mel said sheepishly. The guilt rolled off her and it made Sophie nervous.
“How can you tell me not to get mad if I have no idea what you did?” Sophie leaned on the counter and took a deep calming breath.
“I may have called him.” Mel’s lips turned up in an awkward smile.
“You called Ashton?” Sophie gasped in shock. “When? How could you do that? What did you say? What did he say?” The questions tumbled out of Sophie’s mouth without end.
“Last night. You have been miserable since he left. I didn’t know what else to do. Don’t be mad, please. I watched you pick up the phone a million times. I know you wanted to call him, so I did it for you.”
Sophie squeezed her eyes shut. “I think I am going to cry…slap me.” Sophie breathed tightly.
“What?” Mel asked unsurely.
“Do you know how expensive this makeup was? Seriously, slap me so I don’t cry.” Sophie opened her eyes and looked at Mel expectantly. Without any more hesitation, Mel reached out and slapped Sophie’s face.
“Ouch!” Sophie gasped. “That hurt!”
“You told me to slap you,” Mel said defensively.
“Yeah, but did you have to do it so hard? Not to mention that you seemed to enjoy that way too much.” Sophie touched her tender cheek.
“Well, your face is annoyingly perfect. I’m not gonna lie, I have thought about it a few times.” Mel threw her hands on her hips.
“Mel.” Sophie rolled her eyes. Sophie looked in the mirror. Her left cheek was now bright red. “Great,” she mumbled. “You’re gonna have to do the other side so I match for the photos.”
“I told him that you have been completely miserable,” Mel admitted quickly. “That you spoke to Lucinda and you two were friends now. The past is the past and you were ready to dive into his hotness and hold on forever…and I told him that if he didn’t come back I was going to get some of the bouncers from the strip club to make you forget about him.”
“What!” Sophie gasped before Mel reached up slapped Sophie across the other cheek. “Ouch!” Sophie reached up to cover the sting of her cheek.
“Charles has a huge dick. I can guarantee a few minutes with him and you’ll forget everything else.”
There was a knock on the door. “Sophie, hun? Are you all right in there?”
“Yes, Mom. We’ll be right out,” Sophie said in a controlled voice as she eyed Mel harshly.
“Call him,” Mel instructed before she pulled open the door. “She’ll be right out, Rachael. She’s just going to call Ashton first.” Mel looked back at Sophie as she walked out the door. Sophie’s mother stayed in the doorway with her hand on the door.
“It’s about time.” Her mother gave her a knowing smile. “Take your time. I have a few minutes before I have to get in my dress.” She pulled the door closed, leaving Sophie alone in the washroom.
Sophie let out the breath she was holding. When she finally got her feet to cooperate she reached for her phone with shaking fingers. She held her breath and listened to the ring. She was met with his answering machine. His beautiful voice made a sob escape her throat. She hung up without leaving a message, turned her phone off, and tucked it away in her purse.
***
“You look so beautiful, Mom.” Sophie said with teary eyes as she fastened her mother’s dress in front of a full length mirror.
“My favorite person in this whole world made this dress for me.”
“I’m really trying not to cry until after the photos. Don’t push me or you will have to live with a mascara-streaked maid of honor in your pictures.” Sophie took a deep breath.
“You would still be the most beautiful girl in the world.” Her mother gave her a hug.
“I love you, Mom.”
“I love you too, baby girl, more than you will ever know.” Her mother swept her up in a hug.
“Look at the two of you.” They both turned to see the other bridesmaids in the doorway, wearing their matc
hing black dresses. “Hold on. I need a picture.” They were surrounded by flashes as Sophie helped her mother with all of the final touches.
***
Sophie took a deep breath as she walked through the two large wooden doors. The aisle was carpeted beneath their feet and covered with red rose petals as she slowly made her way toward the altar. Sophie smiled at all the familiar faces. When she reached the front of the church she turned around to watch her mother make her appearance. The church was full of people who had come today to watch her marry the man who owned her heart.
Rachael walked down the aisle by herself. Her father was not there to give her away. She believed that since she had to find her way in life without her parents’ help, she would give herself away. Her mother was a source of strength and love that Sophie would always cherish. She loved her mother beyond words. Peter had tears in his eyes as he watched his bride walk toward him. His love for her mother was written all over him, it was beautiful.
The ceremony was wonderful and everyone was brought to tears as Rachael and Peter exchanged the vows they’d written for each other. The reception followed immediately after the photographs were taken. Sophie sat with Mel and Dustin at their table and watched her mother and Peter dance to their first song as husband and wife. The room was beautifully decorated with black and white accents around. White twinkling lights were suspended from the ceiling. It looked like a starry night, the effect was magical. Red roses were the only color that was incorporated into the decorations, placed on tables and around the room.
“They really are a beautiful couple.” Sophie watched them with a warm heart.
“They sure are.” Mel reached over, took Sophie’s hand, and squeezed it tight.
When the song came to a close an announcement called for Sophie to come to the dance floor over the speakers. Sophie stood up when Peter and her mother waved her over. “Peter would like to share a dance with you.”
“Of course. I would love to.” Sophie smiled. Peter stretched out his hand in an exaggerated display of formality. Sophie laughed as she accepted his request. Peter swept her around the dance floor, causing both of them to laugh and enjoy the moment.
“I promise you, Sophie, I will take care of your mother every day for the rest of my life,” Peter said as they settled into the rhythm of the music.
“You are a good man, Peter. I have no doubt that my mother is in good hands,” Sophie said with true belief in his words.
“I know that I’ll never be your father, but I want you to know I’m here for you.” He leaned in and kissed Sophie’s forehead. Sophie hugged him tight. He returned the gesture by wrapping his arms around her in a warm embrace.
“That means a lot.”
Before they knew it the song faded into the next and the dance floor became flooded with people moving to the music. Her mother returned and Sophie left the happy couple to enjoy each other while she found Mel and Dustin who were among the bodies dancing.
Sophie lost track of time while dancing as one song flowed into the next. It wasn’t until an announcement was made that the band was going to take a break that she stopped to take a breath and get a drink. Sophie collapsed in her chair and sipped on her wine. Mel and Dustin sat down beside her with their drinks in hand, laughing as they carried on. Sophie’s face was beginning to hurt from laughing so much. It was nice to let go and enjoy the evening.
Mel elbowed Sophie in the side. “Ouch. What was that for?” She glared at Mel and noticed her attention was elsewhere.
Sophie turned to see what had Mel so captivated. Ashton stood in the middle of the dance floor, his piercing blue eyes trained on her. The entire room faded away.
Sophie stood up immediately, walking toward him. The dance floor had thinned to only a few people as she approached him.
Time apart did not lesson the pull that she felt toward Ashton. It was still so strong and undeniable. Every part of her body wanted to be closer to him. Every part of her craved him. He was the center of her world and she was falling into the depths of his beautiful eyes and this time she was all in. There was no more holding back. He was her heart and she was taking it back. Sophie knew the entire room was watching them but the only thing she could focus on was the gorgeous man in front of her that only had eyes for her.
He looked nervous as he looked down at her. Sophie stood only inches away—she only had to reach out and she could touch the one thing she wanted the most in the whole world. He was standing before her in his impossible perfection with his stormy eyes searching hers.
“Sorry I missed your call. I was on a plane.” Ashton smiled tentatively.
“You came back.”
“For you.” Ashton brushed her hair from her face, letting his fingers trail across her cheek.
“I love you, Ashton King,” Sophie confessed in a rush.
“You don’t know how much I wanted to hear that.” His face broke into the most beautiful smile that Sophie had ever seen. “Did you hear that, everyone? Sophie Rogers loves me!” The room erupted into cheers as Ashton grabbed Sophie in his arms, squeezing her tight before he set her down and looked into her eyes. He cupped her face before bringing his lips to hers, soft and slow, savoring the kiss that was too long denied them.
“I’m so sorry for…” Sophie began but Ashton cut her off.
“Just tell me that you love me. I want to hear you say it again,” he whispered as he held her close.
“I love you.”
“That is the most beautiful thing I have ever heard.” He brought her hand up to his mouth to kiss it.
“I’m glad you like it because I’ll be saying it a lot.” Sophie beamed.
“You guys are so disgustingly cheesy!” Mel screamed across the room and everyone erupted into laughter.
Epilogue
Mr. Walters,
I am pleased to say I have been proven wrong after all.
Sophie Rogers
“Who has you so captivated with your phone this evening?” Ashton asked as he slipped his arm around Sophie’s waist.
“I just had to send an email to one of my professors, unfinished business,” Sophie explained as she hit send.
“Is that so? I have some unfinished business that I would like to take care of.” Ashton smiled wickedly as he leaned in and kissed Sophie’s lips.
“If you guys keep this up I’m gonna lose my supper,” Mel huffed.
“It’s not so bad. It’s nice to know someone’s getting lucky.” Lucinda looked uncomfortable in her dress that was visibly too tight around her stomach, now round with child. Lucinda still refused to modify her wardrobe to accommodate her pregnancy, insisting that maternity clothes were too frumpy. Sophie knew it was a battle that Lucinda would soon lose.
Things were not always smooth sailing when it came to Mel and Lucinda. With both having strong personalities, they managed to butt heads more often than not, but Sophie loved knowing that they were making an effort. She could tell they were slowly growing on each other, especially now with the news that Corbin had recently been arrested under drug trafficking charges and would now be spending time behind bars. Mel had been on cloud nine lately.
Lucinda’s pregnancy was progressing as well as could be expected. Though she did tend to panic with every pound that she gained but it never stopped her from showing up at the cookie shop and eating a dozen cookies in one sitting. She hadn’t spoken to her family since she decided to keep the baby but Ashton and Sophie were committed to filling the role of her much needed support system. She was extremely grateful for their support and Sophie was glad she could be there to help. Sophie was amazed at how her relationship with Lucinda had turned full circle. Lucinda was still cynical and tended to complain about everything but Sophie loved their new dynamic of mutual respect. She was going to make a great mother.
The grand opening at their cookie café was a huge success. Sophie and Mel were thrilled that they were so well received in the area. They had a growing list of regulars and their name was
spreading to the point that they had to hire additional help to keep up with demand.
“Well, it looks like you got a little too lucky,” Mel mumbled.
“Watch it,” Lucinda warned.
“Okay, ladies,” Sophie interjected lightly. “Let’s at least pretend we’re civilized.” Sophie leaned into Ashton. She would never get used to how his touch affected her.
Sophie looked at her paintings displayed in the same gallery as some very well-known artists in the city. Falon’s art gallery was a huge warehouse with a modern polished industrial feel that gave a perfect backdrop for the range of art displayed. A maze of walls were constructed to hold all the pieces. The building itself was a piece of art.
Sophie only sipped her wine but felt giddy from the excitement that bubbled within her. She was nervous how her work would be received among all the other beautiful pieces. When sold stickers began marking her paintings, the worries faded away.
“I tried to buy the portrait of me but I was told that you refuse to sell it.” Ashton raised his brow.
“Nope. That one I want to keep hanging on my wall,” Sophie said, looking at the painting Ashton referred to. She would never part with it, like she would never part with the man himself.
“Well then, maybe I have to make your walls mine as well.” Ashton pulled her closer against his side. “Truth or Dare?”
“What are you up to? Dare.” Sophie smiled suspiciously, not sure where Ashton was going with this.
“Move in with me.”
“You want that picture so much that you want me to move in so you can have it?” Sophie narrowed her eyes.
“It does look incredibly hot,” Ashton teased. “But no, I want you that much.” He kissed her lips. “You and only you. So will you make me a very happy man and move in with me?”