sparkling white paint. Nick, Ryan, and another volunteer started in another area of the house.
By the second bedroom, they’d established a good rhythm.
“I think you should give him a chance,” Holly said, pausing her back and forth movement and resting the roller in the paint tray.
“I can’t believe you told him who I was and invited him here,” she mumbled .
“I didn’t think you’d mind this much,” Holly confessed.
“But you know I don’t date lawyers. That I don’t date at all, really.” Sophie paused, pushing the paint roller through the paint, watching the thick white liquid oozing under the applicator. “And you know damn well why,” she murmured.
“He’s a really nice guy who I think is interested in you for you, not because you’re a novelty or because you’re the judge’s daughter.”
“Maybe you should be taking your own advice. You’ve known Nick for years, but won’t consider a real relationship with him because he doesn’t have a couch?” she countered.
“Look, you may be right. But that’s an issue for another day. I won’t let you change the subject on me.” Holly gave up the pretense of painting and sat cross-legged on the drop cloth. Sophie joined her, resting the pole of the roller on the floor. “You know I rarely give advice and don’t butt into other people’s business. My grandmother taught me better. But I love you like a sister, and I want you to be happy.”
“But I am happy,” Sophie countered. “I love my job. I have great friends. And I’ve just adopted the most wonderful puppy.”
“Okay, I’ll agree that your life is just dandy. Great sex can put icing on that cake.”
Sophie stared intently at her pant cuffs.
Dominic poked his head in the room. “You gals would never survive on a job site,” he tsked. “Trust women to get into a hen session.” He waved his hand in an upward sweeping motion. “I’ve cut in the last bedroom. C’mon and fill that in. Then we can get started on the walls.”
Sophie stood up quickly, kicked her high-tops together, and gestured in a mock salute to Dominic. “Yes, sir. We’re on it, sir.”
Holly laughed. They all knew Dominic was a softy under the gruff, mock-sexist exterior. Dominic walked back across the hall, Holly gathered up the paint, and Sophie carefully carried the rollers, trying to prevent any drips. When they set everything down in the final bedroom, Sophie broke the silence.
“I’ll think about what you said. Seriously, I promise,” she said, solemnly crossing her heart with her right index finger. “It’s just that I don’t think Ryan will wave some magic wand and set my inner sex pot free.” Though she liked the feel of his wand.
They quickly painted the last ceiling and gathered in the recreation room, where the guys were almost done painting the periwinkle blue walls. Sophie couldn’t help notice that Ryan’s hair was damp against the nape of his neck and his muscles bunched with effort. The crowded room helped her fight her urge to touch him.
Holly assigned a couple of kids to wash their paint supplies in the utility room. She set out some mini bagels, cream cheese, and orange juice, inviting everyone in for a quick mid-morning break. Sophie, who was usually in the middle of any fray, sat off to the side, thoughtfully chewing her tiny bagel. Dominic, who never missed an opportunity to eat, sat beside her on the tarp-covered couch.
“It’s been a long time since I saw you, girlie. How are you?” In the past, Sophie had seen Dominic a lot more often. Holly was known for her large holiday gatherings and Nick and his dad had stopped by a lot when Nick had been working for Holly’s ex-husband. Dominic had always seen through Sophie’s tough-girl façade and they had taken a liking to each other. He continued before she could answer. “It looks like you’ve got a new hole in your ear since the last time I saw you.”
Sophie fingered the last of the hoops along the shell of
By the second bedroom, they’d established a good rhythm.
“I think you should give him a chance,” Holly said, pausing her back and forth movement and resting the roller in the paint tray.
“I can’t believe you told him who I was and invited him here,” she mumbled .
“I didn’t think you’d mind this much,” Holly confessed.
“But you know I don’t date lawyers. That I don’t date at all, really.” Sophie paused, pushing the paint roller through the paint, watching the thick white liquid oozing under the applicator. “And you know damn well why,” she murmured.
“He’s a really nice guy who I think is interested in you for you, not because you’re a novelty or because you’re the judge’s daughter.”
“Maybe you should be taking your own advice. You’ve known Nick for years, but won’t consider a real relationship with him because he doesn’t have a couch?” she countered.
“Look, you may be right. But that’s an issue for another day. I won’t let you change the subject on me.” Holly gave up the pretense of painting and sat cross-legged on the drop cloth. Sophie joined her, resting the pole of the roller on the floor. “You know I rarely give advice and don’t butt into other people’s business. My grandmother taught me better. But I love you like a sister, and I want you to be happy.”
“But I am happy,” Sophie countered. “I love my job. I have great friends. And I’ve just adopted the most wonderful puppy.”
“Okay, I’ll agree that your life is just dandy. Great sex can put icing on that cake.”
Sophie stared intently at her pant cuffs.
Dominic poked his head in the room. “You gals would never survive on a job site,” he tsked. “Trust women to get into a hen session.” He waved his hand in an upward sweeping motion. “I’ve cut in the last bedroom. C’mon and fill that in. Then we can get started on the walls.”
Sophie stood up quickly, kicked her high-tops together, and gestured in a mock salute to Dominic. “Yes, sir. We’re on it, sir.”
Holly laughed. They all knew Dominic was a softy under the gruff, mock-sexist exterior. Dominic walked back across the hall, Holly gathered up the paint, and Sophie carefully carried the rollers, trying to prevent any drips. When they set everything down in the final bedroom, Sophie broke the silence.
“I’ll think about what you said. Seriously, I promise,” she said, solemnly crossing her heart with her right index finger. “It’s just that I don’t think Ryan will wave some magic wand and set my inner sex pot free.” Though she liked the feel of his wand.
They quickly painted the last ceiling and gathered in the recreation room, where the guys were almost done painting the periwinkle blue walls. Sophie couldn’t help notice that Ryan’s hair was damp against the nape of his neck and his muscles bunched with effort. The crowded room helped her fight her urge to touch him.
Holly assigned a couple of kids to wash their paint supplies in the utility room. She set out some mini bagels, cream cheese, and orange juice, inviting everyone in for a quick mid-morning break. Sophie, who was usually in the middle of any fray, sat off to the side, thoughtfully chewing her tiny bagel. Dominic, who never missed an opportunity to eat, sat beside her on the tarp-covered couch.
“It’s been a long time since I saw you, girlie. How are you?” In the past, Sophie had seen Dominic a lot more often. Holly was known for her large holiday gatherings and Nick and his dad had stopped by a lot when Nick had been working for Holly’s ex-husband. Dominic had always seen through Sophie’s tough-girl façade and they had taken a liking to each other. He continued before she could answer. “It looks like you’ve got a new hole in your ear since the last time I saw you.”
Sophie fingered the last of the hoops along the shell of
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