Chapter 153

Sophia was just chilling at the top of the stairs, one hand on her knee, the other patting her chest, huffing and puffing like she’d run a marathon. Her face was all flushed, her hair a bit of a mess, and you could see a layer of fine sweat beading on her forehead.

She caught Brandon’s eye and felt a bit embarrassed.

“Today’s the grand opening of the new company, and everyone’s buzzing with excitement. Why don’t you come and celebrate with us?” she said awkwardly. “Honestly, people love it when the boss lets loose and hangs with the crew. Makes you feel less like the big man upstairs, you know?”

Brandon glanced at her still-thumping chest, then at her damp, rosy cheeks, before his gaze settled into her eyes. “Did you specifically come looking for me?”

The word “specifically” hung in the air between Sophia and Brandon, loaded with unspoken meaning, given their complicated relationship.

She hadn’t thought it through his solitary silhouette had just popped into her head, and on a whim, she’d dashed up to find him. “Not really,” Sophia replied, her cheeks coloring. “It’s just everyone’s heading out to party, and it seemed like a bummer for the big boss to be missing out.”

She glanced at the now-deserted office, then back at him. “You’re here burning the midnight oil all by yourself. If work’s not screaming for attention, why not take a break? Don’t push yourself too hard.”

Kent looked over at Sophia, a tad surprised.

Her casual concern for Brandon was kind of sweet and unexpected.

Brandon threw him a glance.

Kent, taking the hint, quickly made his exit. “I’ll leave you two to chat. Mr. Dempsey’s waiting for me to join the celebration. I’ll head over so no one’s kept waiting.”

With that, he bolted.

Brandon’s eyes lingered on the sweat on Sophia’s forehead, and he casually grabbed some tissues from a nearby desk, walking over to her.

Standing in front of her, he reached out with the tissue towards her forehead. “Did you take the stairs?”

“Yeah, the elevator was out of service,” Sophia replied, taking the tissue from him with an awkward smile. “I’ve got it.”

He gave

her a look but didn’t fight her for it, handing over the tissue.

After drying off, Sophia turned to him again. “So, you coming?”

He nodded. “Sure, why not?”

A smile flickered across her face, and a hint of one appeared in his eyes too.

“Let’s go,” he said, and they headed down together.

Don had texted Sophia the details for the get-together.

He’d booked a rooftop farm with its own BBQ and bonfire setup.

By the time Sophia and Brandon arrived, everyone was already in full swing some prepping the food, others manning the grills, chatting and laughing in little clusters.

Brandon’s entrance caused a momentary freeze, everyone suddenly self-conscious.

Sophia, all smiles and warmth, called out/”Keep the fun rolling. Don’t mind us!”

quickly eased the tension, and the party vibe bounced

for Brandon. “Want to

side by side with her at the grill.

the BBQ, skewers in hand. Seeing Sophia and Brandon together, Don couldn’t hide

up for this kind

asked, skillfully laying the skewers Sophia handed

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08:125

good to relax every now and then, take a breather.” Brandon ignored him, focusing on

breath, set down a plate of oysters and called Sophia over to

gave her a passing glance.

up, “I’ll get back to it,” quickly dismissing the idea of Sophia

crew, then back at

at the pile of oysters and nodded. “Go ahead.”

else.

“Why force yourself if you’re not into it?” Brandon shot him a look. “It’s

towards Sophia

foam cooler. Among the chattering girls, Sophia’s serene presence stood out; not aloof or antisocial, just content to listen and smile without

nor did he show much interest

a work call came through on his

call, everyone had dropped their tasks and was now dancing around the bonfire, the music and

for Sophia but

found her still with the oysters, absentmindedly grilling skewers, occasionally glancing at

her side, picking up a skewer from the plate.

he asked, placing the skewer

appearance melted into ease as she turned to face

asked, having spotted Brandon on the phone just moments before, obviously tangled up in work stuff again.

nodded

finally turned to

really into that scene,” Sophia admitted, too embarrassed to say she didn’t want to leave Brandon

to just ditch

person to jump

then looking over at the laughing and joking

bit surprised but nodded, “Sure, why

two of them joined in, everyone did a double-take before Don let go of Cindy’s hand to make way for

and Brandon joined the

hands, hopping

bit self-conscious at first but soon got swept up in

she couldn’t help but

wasn’t laughing uproariously like the others, but his eyes and expression were clearly relaxed and enjoying the moment.

to have

just then, Brandon turned to look at

a

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08:42

He smiled back.

full swing, shifting from the campfire dance to a

party, had already grabbed mics and were belting out tunes that were way off-key, filling the farm air with their howls, but not dampening the spirits of the crowd one bit.

sat down

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