Page 51 of Return Policy
She waits a few beats before responding, and then her lips curve upwards. “Alice in Wonderland.”
“Really?” I reach up to cup her neck, rubbing my thumb along the side of her throat. “I love that book.”
“Me too.” She rests her jaw on my hand and looks out at the ocean. “Did you have any favorites when you were younger?”
“Yeah.” I huff out a laugh. “My gramps always readCharlie and the Chocolate Factoryto me. It was one of his favorites.”
“Was?” Sophia asks quietly, and a rock settles in my stomach.
“Yeah… was.”
I scoot myself behind her so she’s directly between my legs. Her sun-kissed thighs brush against mine, and I suck in a breath. The salt water has tangled her hair, so I bring it all behind her shoulders, brushing through it with my fingers before gathering it together. My fingertips rub against the soft skin of her neck in the process, goosebumps rising in their wake.
“You cold?” I ask, gliding my palm gently along her shoulder.
“Mm-hmm.” She hums. “Freezing.”
“Sure.” I chuckle as I separate her hair into three parts and start twisting the strands in the way I’ve done so many times before.
“Are youbraidingmy hair?” Sophia asks in a surprised tone as my fingers work quickly.
“Yep. Do you have a hair tie?” She hands me one from her wrist, and I twist it around the bottom of the braid, flinging it over her shoulder.
She picks it up, looking at the end. “My sister used to do that for me…”
I snake my arms around her, and she leans into my embrace. Squeezing tighter, I nuzzle my face into the crook of her neck, the scent of coconut and her sweet sweat flooding my senses.
“Well, I’m happy to do it anytime,” I mumble, my lips brushing against her skin. It takes all my control not to press a kiss against her as her pulse pounds against my lips in invitation.
Sophia angles herself to look up at me, remaining in my arms. It’s the first time she’s ever let me hold her like this, and I never want to stop. “Why are you so good to me?”
“What?” I tilt my head. “What do you mean?”
“I mean, I know we’re friends and friends help each other out, but… I don’t know. You’re just so good to me. Even though we’re just friends.”Just friends, my ass.“And I’m thankful for you.” She falls against me, and I wrap my arms around her tiny frame.
“Well, I’m thankful for you too, Sunflower.”So fucking thankful.
During the darkest days of my life, I found her—a sweet shot of sunshine illuminating every shadowy corner.
She scoots back, her ass rubbing directly against my dick, and if I don’t change positions, I’m not going to be able to hide how much I want her right now. “Wanna go for a walk?”
“I’d like that.” We stand up, brushing the sand off us.
“Hey, good looking!” Charlie says, skipping up and crashing our perfect moment.Why do all our friends have such shit timing?
“Hey, Char.” Sophia throws an arm around her. “So glad you’refinallyhere.”
“I know, I know,” Charlie says with an apologetic smile. “It took a little longer cause I had to finish bakingthese.” She angles the Tupperware she’s carrying to show us cupcakes inside.
“Oh, hell yeah,” I say, reaching for one, and she slaps my hand away.
“Not yet.” Charlie laughs. “I also had to wait on this one.” She points a thumb behind her.
“Hey, Elijah,” Andi says, smiling wide.
“Hey,” I reply as she steps forward, throwing her arms around my neck, and my entire body freezes. We don’t see each other a ton, and I haven’t had a chance to tell her I'm—hopefully—seeing someone.
“You okay?” She looks up at me, mouth inches from mine. I’m painfully aware of how this must look to Sophia. “You’re so tense,” Andi says, rubbing her hands along my neck and shoulders.
