“That’s my parents’ money,” she said defensively. “I’m not sure if you’re aware, but cocktail waitresses can’t exactly afford Bentleys. And it’s not like Brayburn’s paying me all that much. Perhaps we should discuss a raise.”
Gray grabbed her hand and pulled her none too gently up the brick steps to their front door. “Just behave. Please.” He gave the door an impatient knock.
Sophie ran a finger over the door frame. “White. How is this possible? How can they have a perfectly white front door without a single scuff or speck of dirt?”
The pristine white door in question swung open, and Sophie’s first thought was that Gray was right. She had been a prejudging, stereotyping snob.
Ashley Porter was wearing cuffed jean capris, a plain white T-shirt, and those boat shoes that Sophie thought only people in the Hamptons wore. But the shoes were well worn, and the T-shirt had some sort of red stain near the hem. Hardly the immaculately groomed housewife that Sophie had been fearing.
The woman herself was beautiful in a completely unintimidating sort of way, her dark brown hair worn in a short pixie cut that only woman with perfect features could pull off. She had clever, friendly brown eyes and a wide mouth completely devoid of lipstick.
“Took you guys long enough,” she said as she ushered them in. “We were wondering how long you were going to stand in our driveway arguing.”
Sophie blushed, but the other woman’s voice held no accusation.
Ian wandered into the foyer with a beer in hand and gave Sophie a friendly hug as though they were old friends instead of total strangers. “Good to see you, Sophie. I see you’ve met Ash, my nagging shrew of a wife.”
Ashley shook Sophie’s hand before giving Gray an enormous hug, looking a bit like a friendly fairy cuddling up to a grumpy bear. Then Sophie glanced at Gray’s face and almost stumbled. Not only was he enduring the hug, he was actually smiling. And the relaxed affection was unlike anything she’d seen on his face before. She felt a sudden liking for these people she barely knew for being people he could relax around.
“You have a beautiful home,” Sophie said as she followed them into the kitchen. The inside was even more stunning than the outside. Ashley’s decorating taste ran toward soothing neutrals, which perfectly accentuated the floor-to-ceiling windows and the stunning view of Lake Washington.
“Thanks,” Ashley said with genuine pride. “I wish I could say it’s always this clean, but the truth is I took advantage of Ryan’s slumber party today to get everything back in order. Gray mentioned we have a six-year-old son?”
Sophie nodded.
“We lucked out and got a calm one, but that doesn’t mean my life doesn’t revolve around tripping on soccer balls and pulling action figures out of the sofa cushions.”
Her voice lacked any real irritation, and Sophie felt a spurt of jealousy. Ashley seemed to have it all. Handsome, successful husband, great kid, beautiful home. And even in her casual clothes, she had an air of confidence that Sophie had spent years trying to fake.
“Ian, did you fix the grill yet?” Ashley asked distractedly as she wrestled with a corkscrew.
Ian caught Sophie’s eye and shook his head before turning back to his wife. “I certainly did. Gray, come admire my skills. I just need a quick detour to the garage to grab my tools.”
“Ian!” Ashley said. “You said you’d have it fixed by the time they got here.”
“Ash, I’m thinking maybe the grill isn’t meant to work until Memorial Day. It’s a sign that we should be eating indoors.”
“We’re eating outside,” Ashley said as she poured two liberal glasses of white wine for herself and Sophie. “That’s why we have the heaters. Which are working, right?”
But Ian had already disappeared into the garage. Gray shot Sophie a glance. “You okay if I go help Ian?”
“Don’t worry, I promised Ian I wouldn’t interrogate her,” Ashley said, handing Sophie a glass.
“Just like he promised to fix the grill?” Gray said with a rare grin.
Ashley pointed to the French doors leading out to an enormous patio. “Go. I need girl time.”
“Don’t scare Sophie off,” Gray said with a small smile.
Sophie blinked in surprise. He was talking about her as though they were together. Which they weren’t. But he was out the door before she could figure out what he’d meant.
“He likes you,” Ashley said as she patted a bar stool at the center island. “It took him forever to admit it, even to Ian. But he wouldn’t have brought you here otherwise.”
“He hasn’t brought over women before?” Sophie was trying for casual curiosity, but it came out as insecure prying.
Ashley shrugged. “Not since Jessica. He’s mentioned he was engaged once?”
“Yeah. Wasn’t exactly liberal with the details, though.”
“Shocker.”
Sophie smiled. “You know him well.”
The other woman tilted her head. “So do you, apparently.”
“We work together. It’s my job to read him.”