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!”

the tension, and the

skewers for Brandon.

nodded, standing side by side with

were also by the BBQ, skewers in hand.

actually up for this

the skewers Sophia handed him on the

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08:125

every now and then, take a breather.” Brandon ignored him, focusing on grilling the meat for Sophia.

a plate of oysters

gave her a

to it,” quickly

glanced over at the busy oyster crew, then back

at the pile of oysters and

else.

wasn’t into these gatherings, nudged him. “Why force yourself if you’re not into it?” Brandon shot him a look. “It’s not about liking or

glanced towards Sophia again.

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

much interest in

a work call came through on

was now dancing around the bonfire, the music and

Sophia but didn’t

with the oysters, absentmindedly grilling skewers, occasionally glancing at

by her side, picking up a skewer from the plate.

asked, placing the skewer on the

melted into ease

Brandon on the phone just moments before, obviously tangled up in work stuff

nodded lightly.

skewers sizzle over the charcoal, she finally turned to Sophia, “Why aren’t you mingling

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

cool to

last person

laughing and joking group, he turned to her, “Wanna go

was a bit surprised but nodded, “Sure, why not?”

double-take before Don let go of Cindy’s

Brandon joined

folks holding hands,

but soon got swept up in

the fun, she couldn’t

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

demeanor, he seemed to have a bit more youthful vigor under his cool

turned to look

a light

2/3

08:42

He smiled back.

they stepped away from the group, the revelry was still in full swing, shifting from the campfire

party, had already grabbed mics and were belting out tunes that were way off-key, filling the

down

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