The Hero + Vegas = No Regrets

Worth squeezes my hand as we exit the elevator and head to Leo’s apartment—Leo and Jules’ apartment. Everything’s changing so quickly. We got back from Cincinnati a few days ago and Worth’s stayed at my place ever since.

It feels like we’ve slotted together in a perfect fit.

“Sophia and Worth,” Jules says as we push the door open, like she wasn’t expecting us to arrive together. I don’t suppose she or any of them can really understand our connection. I can’t fully understand it myself. “So great to see you both.”

We’re the first to arrive, which isn’t a surprise. Worth is a stickler for punctuality—just one of many qualities I find completely adorable.

We greet each other, take off our coats, and get drinks.

“I haven’t seen you since Thanksgiving,” Jules says. “How was Cincinnati?”

“How are things going in Harlem?” Worth asks Leo at almost the same time. I know he’s giving me some space to talk to Jules. I have to tell her what’s going on. I can’t leave it any longer or I’m worried I’ll undermine our friendship.

“I wasn’t planning on going to Cincinnati for Thanksgiving,” I say to Jules.

“You weren’t? You could have come here. What did you do?”

“I ended up going at the last minute.” I take a deep breath.

I tell her the whole story, from finding out about the second family, to the divorce, to Dad’s heart attack, to seeing the other woman in the hospital corridor.

“And Worth was there the entire time?”

I nod. “I don’t know what I would have done without him.”

“I’m so relieved. But honestly, you could have told me. I would have gone to Cincinnati with you.”

“I didn’t want to ruin this time for you and Leo. Most people would still be on their honeymoon at this point.”

“You’re my friend,” she says. “I want to be there for you.” She pulls me into a hug. “So how are things with your dad?”

“I stayed in Cincinnati until he was discharged from the hospital, but I didn’t visit him again. He needs to get better. And then… I don’t know.”

“You’ve always adored him.”

“I thought he sacrificed so much for us—working so we could have a comfortable life. In reality, it was my mom who made the huge sacrifices. Staying with him, knowing about his second family, but wanting us to have a picturesque childhood anyway.”

“You know, I’m kind of proud of her for divorcing him now,” Jules says. “She’s still young enough to fulfil her own dreams.”

I haven’t really thought about my mom in all this, other than the sacrifices she’s made in the past. But Jules is right. She has a chance at a real life now. Maybe she’ll move to New York.

“Tell me about you and Worth,” she says, emptying a bag of chips into a bowl on the counter.

“Aren’t we about to have brunch?”

She looks at her watch and then shrugs. “Food will be here in ten minutes. What are we supposed to do, not eat until then?”

I take a chip. “Worth’s been amazing. He got me to Cincinnati on a private plane on Thanksgiving. We were at Tavern on the Green with his sisters but he didn’t hesitate to come with me⁠—”

“You met his sisters?”

“Yeah, just for a few minutes. Because then I got the call from Oliver.”

“But you were doing Thanksgiving at Tavern on the Green with the fam?”

Before I can answer, Leo comes into the kitchen. “Fisher and Jack are here. Do we have that weird beer Fisher likes?”

“Did you hear Worth and Sophia went to Tavern on the Green for Thanksgiving? With Worth’s sisters.”

“Yeah, he just said,” Leo says. “Sorry about your dad.”

“Thanks,” I reply.

“You don’t think that’s a big deal?” Jules says. “Like… I think Worth really likes her.”

“He married her. Of course he likes her.”

“But it was a Vegas thing. They were drunk and acting crazy.”

“Yeah, sounds like Worth,” Leo says sarcastically.

Jules snaps her head toward me. “Was he drunk and acting crazy?”

“We’d had a few drinks, but no, he wasn’t drunk.”

“He’s in love with you,” Jules says, and my heart bunches in my chest. I can’t quite breathe. “Isn’t he, Leo?”

Leo holds his hands up in surrender. “I just came here for beer.”

“Try the bar,” Jules snaps playfully before shooing him back toward the living room. Turning back to me, she asks, “Are you in love with him?”

“I’m getting to know him. I like him. I’m actively in like with him.” I haven’t even considered whether I’m in love with Worth. I haven’t known him long enough, and there’s been so much else going on. “I don’t know about love, but he’s a good guy. Kind and generous and smart⁠—”

“Have you had sex?” she whispers.

I widen my eyes. “Of course.”

She sits back, surprised. How can that be a shock to her? “Is it good?”

I laugh. “The best I’ve ever— I mean, I can’t even call what I was doing before ‘sex’ if I’m going to make a comparison.”

“Wow,” she says, reaching for another chip. “It’s the same with Leo. We have a connection that’s…” Her voice trails off, like there are no words for what she’s trying to describe.

“I know what you mean. It’s not just physical.”

“So no annulment for you two. I mean, if you’ve consummated things. Have you discussed any kind of divorce?”

“Yeah, before we left Vegas, Worth said he’d speak to his lawyers. And then we agreed we’d continue to date for now.”

“So if things go well, and you don’t want to divorce, you don’t have to. You’d have made it down the aisle before Leo and me.” She squeals. “This is so exciting. It couldn’t be more perfect. You know how close Leo and Worth are. We get to double-date, go on vacation together.”

My heart squeezes tighter, like it’s trying to get through a too-small hole. Jules is going at a million miles an hour. I just want to take this step by step.

“We don’t know how this is going to play out,” I remind her. “Worth and I haven’t known each other very long. We’ve both got a lot going on.”

“Right, but you’re both amazing people who are perfect for each other.”

I raise my eyebrows. “You tried to set me up with Fisher,” I say.

“Momentary lapse in judgment. You and Worth—you’re both so kind and low-key hilarious. I don’t know why I didn’t put you two together from the jump.”

“He’s very kind. And very hot.”

“Sooo hot. It’s actually almost offensive how hot he is.”

I try and bite back a smile just as Worth comes through the door. “How’s everything in here? Are you two gossiping?”

“About your huge dick, Worth,” Jules says as she slides off the counter.

Worth shoots me a look and I shake my head. Jules might think she’s joking, but she’s very much on point.

“I want you to know, you have my blessing. I very much approve. But look after my friend or…” Jules slices her index finger across her throat.noveldrama

Thankfully the buzzer goes. I hope that’s the food.

“I’ll bear your threat of murder in mind, Jules. Thanks.”

She pats him on the arm as she leaves. “I’m off to play hostess. Don’t make out in here for too long.”