Chapter 54
Aside from scooching over a tad when she sat down, all polite and proper, Sophia didn’t make any move to chat him up during the whole dinner.
After the meal, the guys were all jockeying to escort the girls home.
Sophia had that girl-next-door charm, soft-spoken and serene, the kind of gal guys used to fall over themselves to please back in the school days, and that night was no different.
Among the eager beaver lads vying to take her home, Brandon piped up, “I live over in West district too. I can give you a lift on my way.”
He clearly caught the surprise on her face, but Sophia was never one to put someone out. She thanked him and turned down the lift, saying she’d called a cab. But her refusal seemed feeble against the backdrop of her enthusiastic classmates, and in the end, she gave in and got into his car after a bit of friendly arm-twisting.
The ride was light on conversation.
Back in the day, they had all those unspoken understandings, even a sort of tacit closeness and reliance, but after a few years apart, there was a certain awkwardness. Yet, that awkwardness turned into a torrent of intense and fatal attraction the moment they bumped into each other in the dark of her room.
He kissed her, and then things spiraled out of control.
He wasn’t the type to do things on a whim, and neither was Sophia, but that night was the start of a chaos for both of them.
Desire overrode all sense of reason.
Memories of that night flooded back, and Brandon couldn’t help but steal a glance at Sophia.
She was still watching the young couple goofing around, a soft smile on her calm and gentle face, just enjoying the show.
–
Brandon thought about what she’d said he wanted marriage, but she wanted love.
“Is that what you call love?” he blurted out, looking at her suddenly.
Sophia turned in surprise, not expecting Brandon to notice these things.
She always thought it odd to hear “love” from Brandon, who had always seemed immune to all things romantic since she’d known him.
“Why would you bring that up out of the blue?” she asked with a laugh, “Doesn’t sound like you.”
Brandon just chuckled and didn’t reply, his gaze shifting back to the playful couple.
It really wasn’t like him.
He could never be like those young guys, making silly faces to get a laugh from their girls.
He’d never had that playful, childlike side.
He knew how to protect someone but never quite learned how to make someone happy.
His eyes wandered back to Sophia. In many ways, she was like him – both reserved and a bit cool. They would’ve been better off with partners who were more outgoing, someone to spice up life and bring the cheer. That’s why her choice to divorce was the right call for both of them.
Sophia noticed his gaze and turned towards him, “What’s up?”
“Nothing,” Brandon said softly, still fixating on her face, “Just suddenly thought maybe you were right about the divorce.”
She looked back at him quietly and smiled, “So, are you ready to let me go?”
He met her gaze silently, his eyes deep.
His mind said it was the right decision for both, but his heart surged with resistance and displeasure at her words.
Brandon had always been rational and was never one to make life tough for others or force them into anything. So when Sophia mentioned divorce, he didn’t overthink it and agreed right away.
To him, they were both adults, entitled to choose their paths and brave enough to stand by their decisions. If Sophia wanted a divorce, he assumed she’d thought it through, and he didn’t want to stand in her way.
But now, talking about letting go was just as much a considered decision.
And Brandon didn’t want to think about it rationally.
“I don’t plan to, he said, his voice still low and even, his gaze never leaving her face.
Sophia gave her habitual laugh, her eyelids drooping slightly, not pressing the issue. As long as their kid was in the picture, there was no room for this conversation.
A chill breeze swept over the lake, carrying the cold dampness of deep autumn and rustling leaves toward them. Sophia’s softly curled hair fluttered in the wind, and she sneezed.
Without thinking, Brandon cupped her ears with his hands, his body angling to shield her from the wind.
“Are you cold?” he asked, his hands gently rubbing hers.
His palms were warm and dry, and the spots he covered felt tinglingly hot.
Sophia vaguely remembered, back when they first got together, Brandon had this same thoughtful side. But with their hectic work schedules, dwindling communication, fewer outings, and family interference piling up, she almost forgot this side of Brandon as the disappointment with marriage grew, along with nostalgia for her single days before.
Seeing her daydreaming, Brandon thought she was cold. He spotted a stall selling scarves and hats up ahead, draped his jacket over her, and said, “Back in a sec,” before heading to the stall behind her.
Sophia looked back in a daze, watching him swiftly buy a beige knit hat and a matching scarf, then walk back towards her.
He stood before her and adjusted her tousled hair with tender care.
She looked up at him, and he was half-closed his eyes, his handsome face as calm and composed as ever, his expression serious and focused as he fitted her with the hat and scarf. Only when he was done did his deep eyes finally meet hers.
“Better now?”
