Amy’s hand found Sophia’s shoulder, squeezing gently. “Because we’ve seen the way he looks at you, dumbass. And more importantly, we’ve seen the way you light up around him.”
Sophia closed her eyes, memories of Jake’s easy smile and warm laugh flooding her mind. The way his eyes crinkled when he teased her. The gentleness in his touch.
“Fuck,” she breathed, opening her eyes to meet Amy’s gaze. “I’m in deep shit, aren’t I?”
Amy’s lips quirked into a wry smile. “Welcome to the land of the living, sis. It’s messy as hell, but it beats the alternative.”
Sophia ran a hand through her unruly curls, her mind racing. “So what the fuck do I do?” she asked, desperation creeping into her voice.
Amy’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “You tell him, woman!”
A burst of nervous laughter escaped Sophia’s lips. “Oh sure, brilliant idea. I’ll just text him saying, ‘Look, I’m sorry I freaked out and went MIA after having a fucking incredible threesome with you and your brother, but hey, so apparently I love you or something?'”
Her voice dripped with sarcasm, but beneath it lay a current of genuine panic. This was Jake, for fuck’s sake. Jake, who made her laugh until her sides hurt. Jake, who could set her body on fire with a single touch. Jake, who… might actually love her back.
Amy chuckled, shaking her head. “Perhaps not quite by text,” she conceded. Then, with a gleam in her eye that made Sophia’s stomach drop, Amy grabbed her hand. “Come with me.”
“Wait, what?” Sophia protested, but Amy was already dragging her out of the bathroom and back into the bustling restaurant. The clink of glasses and hum of conversation washed over them as Amy weaved between tables with determined steps.
Sophia’s heart nearly stopped when she spotted a familiar head of sun-bleached hair. “Fuck,” she swore, digging her heels in. “Amy, no-”
But it was too late. Jake and Oscar looked up from their drinks, surprise on Jake’s face and a smirk on Oscar’s. Sophia felt the blood drain from her own.
“Soph, you’ve got this, baby sis,” Amy murmured, giving her a gentle push forward.
Before Sophia could formulate a coherent thought, let alone an escape plan, Oscar was on his feet. He shot her a wink that was equal parts reassuring and infuriating. Then, in a whirlwind of motion, Amy was forcing her into the chair opposite Jake.
“What the-” Sophia began, but Amy and Oscar were already retreating, leaving her staring into Jake’s startled blue eyes.
Silence stretched between them, thick with unspoken words and tangled emotions. Sophia’s heart pounded so loudly she was sure the entire restaurant could hear it.
“Hey,” Jake finally said, his voice soft and uncertain.
“Hey,” Sophia echoed weakly, wondering if it was possible to die from sheer awkwardness.
Sophia took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart. The weight of Jake’s gaze pressed on her, expectant and tinged with worry. She forced herself to meet his eyes, finding a mix of confusion and hope there that made her chest ache.
Sophia swallowed hard, her throat suddenly dry. “Jake, I…” she began, her voice faltering. She clenched her fists under the table, willing herself to continue. “I’m sorry I freaked out. I needed to get my head on straight.”
Before Jake could respond, Amy’s voice rang out from across the restaurant. “And out of your ass, baby sis!”
Sophia’s cheeks flamed. Without looking, she thrust her middle finger in the direction of her sister’s voice. Fucking Amy and her big mouth.
“Jake’s just as bad!” Oscar’s voice chimed in, earning a groan from Jake.
Sophia’s embarrassment quickly morphed into irritation. She whipped her head around, glaring at the two eavesdroppers. “Can you two just go away?” she snapped, her voice sharp enough to cut glass.
Turning back to Jake, Sophia found him fighting a smile, his eyes dancing with amusement. She felt a flicker of hope. Maybe this wouldn’t be a total disaster after all.
“So,” Jake said, leaning forward slightly. “Your head’s on straight now?”
Sophia snorted, some of the tension leaving her shoulders. “As straight as it’s ever gonna be,” she muttered, running a hand through her hair. “Look, Jake, about the other night…”
She trailed off, struggling to find the right words. How the hell was she supposed to explain that she’d panicked because she realized she might be falling for him? That the intensity of her feelings terrified her?
Jake reached across the table, his fingers brushing hers. “Soph, it’s okay. We don’t have to-”
“No,” Sophia interrupted, surprising herself with her vehemence. “We do. I just… I don’t know how to do this.”
Jake’s phone buzzed, cutting through the tension. He glanced down, eyebrow quirking as he read the screen. “It’s from Oscar,” he said, turning the phone to show Sophia. “Voice message.”
Sophia shrugged, her heart rate picking up. “Probably just more smartass comments,” she said, aiming for nonchalance.
Jake hit play, and Oscar’s voice filled the air between them. “Hey lovebirds, thought you might need a little push.”
Sophia’s stomach dropped as she recognized the background noise. The tinny echo of the bathroom, Amy’s voice…
“… look, I’m sorry I freaked out and went MIA after having a fucking incredible threesome with you and your brother, but hey, so apparently I love you or something?”
Blood drained from Sophia’s face. She lunged for the phone, but Jake pulled it out of reach, his eyes wide.
“Fuck,” Sophia whispered, mortification washing over her in waves. She wanted to crawl under the table and die. Or maybe murder Oscar first, then die.
Jake set the phone down, his expression unreadable. “Soph…”
She shook her head violently, panic rising in her chest. “I can’t… I didn’t mean…” The words stuck in her throat, choking her.
Jake reached out, gently taking her trembling hands in his. “Hey, breathe,” he said softly. “It’s okay.”
Sophia sucked in a shaky breath, her mind racing. This wasn’t how it was supposed to go. She wasn’t ready. She couldn’t do this. She couldn’t-
“I love you too,” Jake said, his voice steady and sure.
Sophia’s head snapped up, meeting Jake’s intense gaze. “What?”
Jake’s thumb traced circles on the back of her hand, his touch sending sparks through her skin. “I guess we’re both pretty shit at feelings, huh?” he said, a crooked smile tugging at his lips.
Sophia let out a strangled laugh, somewhere between a sob and a snort. “Understatement of the fucking century.”
Her heart hammered in her chest, a mix of terror and exhilaration. This was real. This was happening. Holy shit.
“I’ve been trying to figure out how to tell you for weeks,” Jake admitted, running a hand through his sun-bleached hair. “Kept chickening out. Figured you’d run for the hills.”
Sophia’s lips quirked. “Looks like I beat you to that part.”
Jake chuckled, the sound warm and familiar. “Yeah, well, can’t let you have all the fun.”