by Sarah Stein
I didn’t need this crap. That’s all I kept repeating to myself. Even though I knew Sophie would most likely never speak to me again, I had to contact her. I had to explain that what she saw was nothing. I grabbed my briefcase and left the building while dialing her number on the way out. No answer. Not even straight to voicemail. Did she shut down her phone? I was in a mode of frenzy thinking I’d lost Sophie forever.
Please, answer me. I kept dialing Sophie’s number, but not once did she pick up, so I sprinted to her classroom. I wasn’t going to let it end like this. I needed her and have never felt this way for anyone. Not even Elodie. Sophie crawled under my skin too quickly for me to realize the impact she was having on me. It’s too late and now I couldn’t envision my future without her. She wasn’t there either, though it was packed, and a man stood in front of the room teaching. She had to have gone home, and so I left the building with no word that I was leaving. Fuck this shit. Even if I lost my career, I had to make things right.
I’d never bent through hoops as I was currently doing. The one time I’m innocent, and it blows up in my face. The need to protect Sophie reared its head as I beat myself up over the scene she’d witnessed. Yeah, she should’ve trusted me, but damn even from where I stood, I could agree that the position looked terrible. I internally prayed Sophie would hear me out and believe I was innocent.
The drive to her house took less time than initially. My foot was heavier than usual, I needed to see Sophie. I barely had time to put the stick in park before exiting the car and banging on the door of Sophie’s home.
“Sophie,” I yelled, banging louder with every hit, “Honey, answer the door.”
The door opened so fast; I almost pounded my fist into Sophie. I stood abruptly and said, “Baby, I’m so sorry you witnessed that shit show. Please, forgive me.”
I went so far as to get on my knees, hands clasped, and begging for Sophie to forgive me. It wasn’t one of my greatest moments, but I could attest to the overwhelming feeling of needing Sophie and not causing her pain. I cared for this woman. In fact, I loved her. It sounded crazy because I’d only known Sophie for a tiny bit. Shit, we’d only been on one date, but I couldn’t erase the emotional tailspin she put me through. My gut clenched as I witnessed the blotched, red face and eyes sheened with tears.
I lifted from my knees and grasped her by both arms before pulling her into a hug. She tried to escape, but I couldn’t have her leaving me. I mumbled over and over how much I was sorry but wasn’t sure if she even heard me.
“Why?” Sophie finally questioned, standing stiff but still allowing me to hug her.
I stood by a fraction but continued to keep my hand on her shoulder and said, “The last thing I want to do is push you away. All day I couldn’t wait to have you by my side. I looked forward to seeing you again. I wanted to surprise you for lunch, and when I went to leave, there was a student who dropped her books in front of me and made a scene. No one was around. I had an inkling what she was doing, but I swear to whatever that is holy I did nothing. Of all times in my life, I am innocent. Please, please believe me.”
Time stood still as I looked into Sophie’s eyes. She sniffled and then said, “I don’t know why I believe you, but I do. I want to be angry; shit I was for quite some time. Then, I started thinking when I got home. I left your room so fast I didn’t get the chance to question you or find out what was going on. I assumed you were guilty and left to guard my heart.”
I went to interrupt, but Sophie held out her hand in a stop motion. “Please. Let me finish. I want to have an open and honest relationship, as I mentioned in the terms during dinner. I jumped the gun with what I witnessed, and I want to apologize for not hearing you out from the get-go.”
What kind of woman did this; apologize and listen to the other half of the story even though I could still be in the wrong? If I didn’t know before, I knew now. Sophie was meant for me. She gave me a chance even though I could’ve taken her heart and stomped on it. Though I was innocent, I felt like I didn’t deserve someone so compassionate, but I was greedy and wanted Sophie with all my being.
Placing my finger under Sophie’s chin, I declared, “I love you,” and then grazed my lips on her cheeks before merging them with hers.
Sophie responded once our lips parted, “I love you, too. I think that’s why I was so affected and jumped the gun so quickly. It didn’t help that I know your past, but I should’ve kept it as such; in your past. Could you forgive me, too?”
I grinned and responded, “There’s nothing to forgive, sweetheart. You’ve made me so happy just by listening to what I have to say and trusting in us.”
Sophie smiled and said, “Come on. Let’s go inside. I’m starting to wonder if we’re being spied on by the neighbors.”
“Probably so, but you know what?”
“What?” Sophie asked.
“I love you, and that’s all that matters.”
It was true straight to the core. What I felt for anyone else was nothing compared to how I feel right now with Sophie. It made me wonder; I might not be so flawed after all.
The End.
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Sarah’s Published Works
Standalone
Hearten Christmas (FFM)
New Beginnings (Military)
Her Will (BDSM)
Mistletoe (Holiday)
Counter-Love (Anti-Valentine)
The Dark Truth (Thriller)
Series
Awakening: (The White Stealth Clan, #1)
Captive (The White Stealth Clan, #2)
Damaged (The White Stealth Clan, #3)
Revenge (The White Stealth Clan, #4)
Collections
Summer Romances
Anthologies
An Honest Lie: Midnight Oil Anthology
Soulful Bonding: Table for Two Anthology
Sarah Stein loves to talk to her readers and can be found here: Website
About the Author
Sarah Stein (born in October of 1985) is the middle child in a family of ten. She’s always been an avid reader, escaping the chaos of the large family life. Her love for books at an early age is why she started creating her own stories. Today, she’s a multi-published Author with works in various genres.
She’s from southern Louisiana but resides in south Texas with her husband of many years, two children, a German Shepherd, and a Dachshund. When she isn’t spending quality time with them, she’s singing, reading, writing, or researching for her next story.