chapter forty-one

Fifteen minutes had never passed so slowly. Sophie had finished sweeping and now pushed a string mop back and forth. Had Aiden gotten her text yet? And if he had, why hadn’t he responded?

It had been too little, too late. She should’ve explained herself better. Maybe she should’ve told him she loved him. It was hard to know what she should’ve done. Surely he’d gotten her text by now—he always kept his phone in his pocket. But he’d broken it on his last day here. Was it possible he hadn’t gotten it fixed yet?

Her phone vibrated, and her heart leapt in her chest. Please, oh, please. With a shaking hand she pulled it from her pocket, eyes eagerly seeking the notification.

Jenna.

Sophie’s lungs deflated like a week-old party balloon.

Open the door, the text read.

Sophie frowned as she responded. I think you meant to send this to someone else.

The shot of adrenaline dissipated in her bloodstream, leaving her weak and shaky. If only Aiden would respond. If only he would say something. Anything. But maybe he’d had enough of her and her coddling ways. Maybe he’d decided a long-distance relationship wouldn’t work after all.

She was just about to pocket her phone when another text came in from Jenna.

It was for you, goofy. Open the door.

Sophie looked up, the meaning sinking in. She dropped the mop, dashed downstairs, and rushed down the hall, navigating the bookshelves and tables on her way to the front door. Then she stopped, eyes widening at the sight on her patio.

She grabbed the handle and pulled open the door. Jenna and Grant, Seth, her dad, and Granny May stood there, bearing all manner of cleaning supplies and tools.

“What are you doing here?”

Grant smiled. “Isn’t it obvious?”

Her dad held up a roller and paint pan. “We’re your minions for the day, sweetheart.”

“Put us to work,” Jenna added.

Sophie released a breath. Her family—all of them—had shown up for her. Her throat tightened.

Dad gestured toward the parking lot. “We got your belongings out of storage and brought them in a trailer.”

“Good thing you left me a key,” Jenna said.

Sophie covered her mouth, her eyes stinging. “Oh, you guys.” It felt nice to be the one taken care of for a change.

“Well, are you going to let us in or what?” Granny asked. “These old legs can only hold me up so long.”

“Of course!” Sophie gave a tearful laugh as she opened the door wider and stepped aside. “Come in, come in. Thanks, you guys. This is so nice of you.”

“We owe you about a thousand more days.” Jenna laughed, squeezing Sophie’s hand.