How I Fell in Love (#3 How I Fell in Love Trilogy)

The plan kind of backfires

I really liked the photos we posted. I think it'll work

Sophie read his text before quickly replying: Well, I have you to thank for everything :) 

His response was just as fast: Hey want to meet me at the coffee house we went to last time? We could wrap up some loose ends 

Sophie: Sure, what time? 

Can we meet now? 

Sophie: ok :) 

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"Thanks again for everything." Sophie said. They were at a Starbucks next to the ice cream shop where Sophie worked. 

"Your welcome." He smiled. They had been talking for a while, but Sophie knew it was time to let go. But she had just one more question. 

"Why did you agree to help me anyway? Besides how you said I should embrace my awesomeness." 

He grinned at her. His grin always freaked her out, because the resemblance to his sibling was so uncanny.  

"Something like this happened to me before. I wanted to guide you through it, because I never got help." 

A door slammed. Sophie's eyes flicked to the customer who had just arrived. 

Dread pooled in her stomach. 

"So this is it?" Fitz growled. 

Sophie glanced at the person sitting opposite her. His easy smile was gone, replaced with a carefully procured mask of impartiality. 

"I don't know what you're talking about." 

Fitz laughed. "Oh yes, the performance that had the whole family applauding for act two. Except me. Sophie? Were you taken by his act?" 

"Uh, I-" Sophie began. 

"No, she has no part in-" 

"SHUT UP ALVAR!" Fitz yelled. The baristas looked over in concern, while one of the patrons shot them a dirty look. 

"Let's take this outside." Sophie said timidly, getting out of her chair and pulling Alvar out with her. Fitz exited the same way he came in; he crashed out through the door and slammed it. 

"I don't know what you're upset about Fitz," Sophie lied. "But I'm sure we can all talk it through without yelling at each other." 

Fitz glared at her. Sophie felt tears prick at the corners of her eyes. He'd never looked at her with such disgust. 

Alvar was careful to maintain distance from both Sophie and Fitz. 

Fitz took a breath. "You really thought I'd be okay with you hanging out with my brother?" 

Sophie shrugged. She almost said 'I didn't realize you had to approve my friends,' but she bit back her reply. 

"We can discuss this privately, without Sophie." Alvar reasoned. "She isn't the reason you're mad." 

Surprisingly, Fitz nodded. Alvar gingerly moved past Fitz, and he followed. From over his shoulder, Alvar winked at Sophie. She gulped and mustered a smile to her face. 

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Sophie dialed Fitz's number. She'd waited until Alvar had told her they'd finished talking. 

And waited until after dinner. 

"Stop hiding from your problems." She chastised herself. She hit call. 

It rang three times before he picked up. 

"Hey Fitz." 

"Hey Sophie." 

"I'm sorry." Sophie blurted. "I know how you feel about your brother, and I was so insensitive. It was wrong of me. I should have told you I was going to be hanging out with him." 

"I understand." Fitz replied. "I know I was a jerk, but sometimes I feel like you're playing with me. I mean, you take a step away from us, and the next thing I know, you're all snugly with my BROTHER!" His voice went silent. 

"Sorry." 

"It's okay Fitz." 

"Yeah, I just feel pretty awful right now." 

"I'm sorry Fitz, I-" 

"Can we just have some space?" Fitz asked quietly. "I don't want to be upset at you over Christmas... but it's a lot to work through. I think it'd be better if we leave each other alone until the new year. Start over fresh, you know?" 

"Oh. Yeah, that sounds smart." 

"Alright. Well, Merry early Christmas," 

Sophie had forgotten it was Christmas eve. "Yeah, same to you." 

The line was already dead. 

"I messed that up big time." Sophie grumbled. 

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To be continued...