4. Sophie

CHAPTER 4

SOPHIE

S ophie had tried on almost every dress in her closet, and the ordeal had turned her bed into a heaping mess. She didn't bother cleaning it, deciding that it would be a good excuse not to bring anyone home.

Not that she didn't think about it; it had been months since a man had occupied her bed, and lord knew she could use the release, but she wanted a real connection with someone. She always had a hard time not getting attached to anyone she slept with casually.

She glanced at the clock on her wall and decided to go with the black dress she was already wearing, as she was already running late. She grabbed her matching black heels on her way out and threw on a pair of sandals to drive in.

A nauseating twist pulled in her stomach as she turned into the restaurant parking lot fifteen minutes later. Sweat was already escaping from every pore in her body and she was thankful that she had opted for a sleeveless cut. Her hands shook as she grabbed her heels from the passenger seat and changed out of her sandals. After one more glance in the small mirror and a touch-up of her red lip gloss, she exited the car.

Sophie often dressed formally for work and was comfortable in heels and a dress, but tonight she felt different. Confident and sexy. Something she hadn't felt in a long time.

They'd agreed to meet at the front entrance and she could already see a man standing there as she approached. Relief washed over her as she neared: not only did Matt look like his photos, he exceeded them.

His eyebrows raised as she approached. "Sophie?"

"Matt? Hi, yes, that's me." Out of habit she reached for a handshake.

He didn't seem to mind and took her hand with gentle ease, looking her up and down. "Wow. That dress is beautiful."

"Thank you," she smiled, hoping he didn't sense her anxiety. She clasped her hands in front of her, not sure where to put them.

Matt approached the door and opened it, gesturing for her to go ahead. "You want to go in?"

"Sure." Sophie placed her hand on the door so he could let go as she entered.

She had never been to the place before, though she had heard good reviews. The inside was lavishly decorated, with gold, red, and black accents.

Matt gave his name for the reservation and in a few moments they were seated in front of each other and a bottle of expensive wine was being poured.

Matt signaled to the bottle. "Just leave it."

The waitress did and Sophie shifted in her seat; she had never really been a fan of red wine. She didn't bother mentioning that she preferred white, though, as it was already poured.

They filled the silence by reading the menu.

"So, you mentioned that you work in fashion, right?" Matt asked.

Over the last couple days they had shared a few vague things about themselves and Sophie was put off by the fact that he had forgotten so quickly. Or perhaps he was talking to other people? She supposed most single people did.

"I run the marketing department at Birch Industries, actually. We sell a leading brand of car seats."

"Like for kids?"

"Yeah," Sophie confirmed with a smile.

Matt's face twitched ever so slightly at her response. The waitress returned to take their order, preventing Sophie from questioning his apprehensive look.

"I'll get the steak and potatoes," Matt told the waitress, his eyes wandering over her slim figure.

Sophie tried to act as though she hadn't seen it and handed the menus back. "I think I'll get the same. Thank you."

The waitress smiled, looking back at Matt. "Great. Anything else I can grab for you? Maybe an appetizer?"

The two shared a look. "That will be all, honey. Thanks."

The waitress glanced at Sophie uncomfortably before leaving. Matt's eyes lingered on her as she went. He didn't seem to notice if Sophie cared; he swept his eyes over her in a sensual manner.

"So you work in finance, right?" she asked to confirm.

"Yeah, but I make most of my money from stock trading." He leaned back in his seat, his legs in a wide stance.

"And do you enjoy it?" she asked.

The more he talked, the more Sophie wanted to bolt for the door.

By the time their food arrived, Matt had explained in excruciating detail the entire concept and operation of the stock market. Like she was a four-year-old.

"Are you sure you can eat all that?" he asked, staring at the equal amounts of food on their plates.

"I'm certainly going to try," she answered coolly. Nothing made her angrier than a man commenting on her eating habits. It reminded her of her college ex-boyfriend.

They began eating and Sophie was just grateful that Matt had finally stopped talking. Though, her annoyance prevented her from actually enjoying the food, which was delicious.

"You haven't drunk any of your wine," he pointed out as he poured himself another glass.

"Sorry," she said, taking a sip. "I guess I'm just nervous. I don't date often," she added awkwardly. The bitter liquid coated her tongue but she swallowed it anyway; she felt bad for wasting his money.

"No worries. Wine's great for the nerves. I also hear it's a bit of an aphrodisiac, though I haven't really put it to the test." His voice carried an odd rasp and Sophie looked up to see him giving her bedroom eyes.

It was repulsive.

Not only had he checked out their server, showed no interest in her, and talked only about himself, he actually thought his behavior was attractive. Sophie didn't have to date often to know that this guy was awful. And she certainly didn't need to stick around to know that she did not want him to be her future anything.

"I'm just going to go to the restroom," she announced, already sliding out of her velvet seat.

Matt didn't respond.

Sophie clutched her purse and headed for the bathroom. She tried to collect herself, but Matt's presence stuck to her like she had walked through a spiderweb, like something she physically needed to wipe off.

Her reflection caught her eye and she turned away from the mirror.

Pathetic. This whole thing is desperate and pathetic.

She took a few calming breaths. She had put effort into this; the least she could do was commit to the date. It was almost over anyway.

Sophie exited the washroom only to catch Matt watching the waitress again from afar. Before he could glance her way, she impulsively jumped behind a set of ferns. Her stomach twisted. She couldn't take it. He was revolting. She simply couldn't go back to that table.

She watched for another moment before digging into her bag for her keys.

"Sophie?"

The voice registered in her mind and she turned.

It was Noah. Her boss. Heat swelled in her already flushed cheeks.

"Hi," she answered weakly. Embarrassment filled her. She glanced back at her table nervously.

"What are you—" he started.

Without thinking, Sophie grabbed his tie and pulled him towards her. Their chests met, and Sophie glanced up into his hazel eyes.

Something passed in his eyes and she stepped back slightly, giving him space while still remaining hidden.

"What—" he started again, but she shushed him in a panic and he laughed quietly, dropping his voice to a whisper. "May I ask why you are hiding behind a plant?"

"I'm not hiding," she lied.

Noah smirked.

"Okay," she admitted. "I'm hiding."

His eyes shone with amusement. "From?"

Sophie parted the fern and scanned the room to make sure Matt wasn't looking in their direction. She pointed toward the table. "That— or should I say him."

The lightness in Noah's eyes faded as his eyes landed on Matt.

"You're on a date," he stated.

Sophie let the fern fall back into place and turned to face him. "If that's what you want to call it. The guy is a total jerk."

"Hence the hiding."

"Yes, hence the hiding." She sighed dramatically. "I don't know what to do."

"Why don't you just leave?" Noah asked.

"That would be great, except you can see my car from our table. He would see me."

"So?"

" Sooo , I don't want to be rude."

"Didn't you just say the guy was a jerk?"

"Yes," she agreed.

His expression changed. "Let me help," he offered.

"What? No. Seriously, I'm okay. I'm sure I can think of some kind of excuse."

Noah rested his hands on her bare shoulders, "I want to help."

His hands felt cool on her warm shoulders; he had never touched her like that before. He seemed to notice it too because he quickly pulled his hands to his sides.

"Okay," she said finally. "How?"

"What did he do, anyway?" Noah parted the fern to take another look at Matt. "Oh wait, never mind."

Sophie looked to find Matt once again staring at the waitress's behind. When the woman turned and found him staring, he even had the audacity to wink at her.

This time, Sophie's discomfort quickly shifted to laughter as they watched him together.

"What are you going to do?" she asked Noah.

He smirked. "You'll see."

She watched anxiously as he walked out of their hiding place and approached the table, where Matt was pouring himself another glass of wine. He had almost finished the entire bottle.

Noah's walk turned unbalanced; he stumbled towards him as if he was severely intoxicated and Sophie understood what he intended.

"Whoa, man. Watch it," Matt warned as he turned towards Noah, wine glass still in hand.

Noah fell just as Matt finished his sentence.

Sophie covered her mouth in shock as a clattering sound filled the restaurant.

Matt hollered as wine and food poured over his crisp white tunic and pants. His chair screeched as he stood up, and he shoved Noah away from him.

"Are you serious! What the hell is your problem?" he yelled, his arms outstretched as he examined his tarnished clothes.

Everyone stared, the waitstaff rushing over to help clean up.

The waitress stopped Noah for only a quick moment but Sophie couldn't hear what was said between them. Noah stumbled back in Sophie's direction, calling out a sloppy drunk apology as he went.

For a moment it looked like Matt was going to go after Noah, but one of the waitstaff held their hand up to stop him.

Matt cursed again and took off to the male washroom located on the other side of the restaurant.

The moment Noah passed the fern, his walk evened out. He burst out laughing at the shock on Sophie's face.

"I can't believe you just did that!" she exclaimed.

"Come on." He grabbed her arm and opened the door for her. "After you."

Sophie walked out into the crisp evening air, feeling better than she had in a long time.

The image of Matt's rage-filled stupid face sent her into hysterics and Noah joined her.

"Thank you," she told him as she began walking towards her car, wiping her tears from her face.

Their hands brushed as Noah kept pace beside her. It sent a spark through her arm.

"Anytime," he told her.

Her keys jingled in her hands and suddenly she no longer had the urge to flee.

"Do you want to grab a drink?" Noah asked.

Sophie considered it. Noah was her boss, but they had spent enough time together that it wouldn't be awkward, and she supposed she was already dressed up.

…She also didn't want to say goodbye to him just yet.

Tucking her keys back into her purse, she looked up at him. "Sure, why not?"