“You know the worst part of all this?” she said, making her way toward the door.
He said nothing, but steadily returned her gaze as she continued to speak. “I’ve been spending the past several months hating Jessica. Hating her for what she did to you. The cheating thing…well…that was still wrong of her. But her assessment of you as lacking was dead-on. There’s nothing beneath that suit but ice.”
Something stark and hopeless flashed across his features and almost had Sophie wanting to take back her words. Almost.
But she was done letting people spit all over her existence like she was some vapid butterfly who wouldn’t care. Everything was becoming clear to her now. That moment in the Las Vegas elevator had felt like rock bottom only because she’d let other people make her feel that way.
No more.
She was done living for other people. They could take the stingy, withheld respect that she’d been so desperate to earn and shove it up their ass.
Without a backward glance, Sophie opened Gray’s office door, and stopped only long enough to grab her purse. She didn’t bother to look back and see if he was watching her. It didn’t matter.
Sophie Dalton was taking her life back. Even if it meant walking away from the man she loved.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Sophie clung to her anger like a security blanket. It was the only way to stave off the soul-sucking pain that lurked beneath the rage.
And by Sunday night, that anger hadn’t abated. In fact, it had expanded. And it was no longer just Gray who was in its crosshairs.
“Mom, Dad, I’m here!” Sophie called, wiping her feet on the mat to remove the mud.
Seattle residents loved to brag about how great their summers were, but the truth was there was still plenty of rain. Even in June. And tonight’s storm was a doozy. Perfect for her mood.
“Sophie, dear, you’re late,” her mother said, coming into the foyer and putting a spatula-holding hand on her hip. “And you know I hate those jeans. I was so relieved when that ‘worn’ look went out of style, but you still insist on—”
“Mom,” Sophie said. “My jeans are just fine for a family dinner. And I’m not even ten minutes late. Brynn and Dad show up late all the time and you don’t so much as blink at them.
Marnie blinked rapidly, clearly surprised at having her lecture interrupted. “Well, honey, they do run late from time to time, but it’s different. They have very…”
“What? They have something important going on? They have a good reason? Well, so do I.”
Her mother’s nostrils fluttered. “Sophie, please don’t be petulant. It’s unattractive.”
Marnie turned on the heel of her designer pump and marched back into the kitchen.
Confusion temporarily dampened Sophie’s anger as she absorbed the blunt truth that her own parents seemed to think she didn’t matter.
Were they really still that mad at her for not finishing law school? Was that what all of this was about? Was having a daughter they could brag about at the country club really more important than said daughter’s happiness?
Sophie knew that they loved her, of course. She could always count on them to come help her out if she got a flat tire, or needed help moving, or nearly chopped her fingers off while cutting parsley. But caring was no longer enough for Sophie.
She wandered into the kitchen and poured herself a generous glass of wine. Her family was deep in a riveting conversation about “the club’s” upcoming tennis tournament. Sophie started to tune out, but their ignoring her was like Miracle-Gro on her little seed of anger.
The four of them had used to all play tennis together. And the real kicker was that Sophie was better than all of them. Something they’d conveniently forgotten since she didn’t play at “the club.”
“Do you guys need another person?” she blurted out.
Three pairs of startled eyes fell on her. Their confused expressions burned into her and gave her courage. “What? I’m pretty sure my backhand still beats all of yours.”
“Sophie, hon, you have to be a member to play,” her dad said gently.
“Oh.” She’d forgotten that part. “Is that like really expensive or something?”
She already knew that a membership to their country club was out of the question. Especially since she was now unemployed. “Well, it’d be nice to be included as a guest once in a while,” she said softly.
“Sure, you can come with me anytime,” Brynn said smoothly. “I didn’t realize you still played.”
Probably because you’ve never bothered to ask.
“Where’s Will?” Marnie asked, setting a platter of avocado crostini in front of them. “These are his favorite. He’s usually here by now.”
Sophie snagged a piece of bread and got ready to drop her bomb. “Will moved to Boston.”