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CHAPTER 3

SOPHIA’S POV

Walking through the door, I froze. Henry in my living room? My cheeks flushed. "Umm—hi," I managed, feeling a bit tongue-tied. He was always in my house but I didn't expect him to be here today, not when I had decided to muster up all the courage I needed to tell him how I felt about him.

Henry smiled warmly. "Hey there, Sophia. Don't just stand there, give me a hug!"

Surprised but eager, I hurried over, wrapping my arms around him. His scent engulfed me, sending a shiver down my spine. My heart raced like a hummingbird's wings. He always asked me to hug him, and it was my favorite thing about him. 

"Good to see you," he said, ruffling my hair. I pulled back, his touch lingering like a sweet melody.

Dad grinned at my obvious fluster. "She's growing up, Henry. Turning sixteen soon, high school, and college. you need to stop treating her like a kid."

I didn't even notice my dad was in the room, all I could think about then was the fact that Henry was there. Don't get me wrong, my dad is important to me, ever since I lost my parents, and he adopted me; he was a good friend of my mum. He had been the next best thing that happened to me. He always took care of me and ensured that I was taken care of. 

Henry nodded, that serious glint in his eyes that always intrigued me. "Time flies. College is a big step."

I nodded too quickly, feeling the heat rise in my cheeks. "Definitely, yeah."

Dad motioned toward the dining table. "Join us for dinner, Sophia." 

My pulse quickened. Dinner with Henry? I forced a smile, trying to act cool, collected. "Actually, I should, uh, take a shower first. Be back soon." I have had dinner with them in the past but today was different, today I was more conscious about Henry being in our house more than ever. 

In my room, I leaned against the door, heart still doing a marathon. Changing into my nighties, I took a deep breath. 

Back downstairs, I fumbled through dinner conversation. Henry's words held my attention, but my own responses seemed to get lost on the way out. I stole glances when I thought no one was looking, but Dad's knowing smile told me otherwise. My dad knew I had a crush on Henry but he presumed it was just an innocent crush and nothing innocuous about it. 

Dinner felt like an obstacle course. Henry's words flowed like honey, and my attention clung to them like a magnet. But whenever I tried to speak, my words turned into a jumbled mess.

I managed to sneak glances at him, convinced I was being discreet. There was just something about his present that felt so different to me. My dad ALWAYS told me that I act and talk way older than my age but I lose that grip over myself whenever Henry is around. 

Henry turned his gaze toward me, a friendly smile curving his lips. "So, Sophia, any thoughts about college?" He has always been a conversationalist, he loved to talk about things and had been particularly concerned about my studies, he is big on the whole school stuff. 

"What are your thoughts on college?" he repeated his question, I was lost in my thoughts and over analysis.

My heart skipped a beat, and I almost choked on my food. College? Did he really just ask me that? Keep it together, Sophia.

I cleared my throat, feigning nonchalance. "Yeah, I've been considering Ivy League schools. Maybe Brown or Harvard." I have always wanted to go to an ivy league school, my dad went to one so did Henry. 

Henry raised an impressed eyebrow. "Wow, aiming high. You're a smart kid, Sophia."

I fought the urge to roll my eyes at being called a kid. "I'm turning sixteen soon, you know."

He chuckled, that warm sound that always sent shivers down my spine. "You're right. I should start addressing you as the young lady you're becoming."

My cheeks flushed, and I tried to focus on my food to hide my embarrassment. "Yeah, well, that's what happens when you grow up, I guess." These were one of those moments that made me totally believe in my feelings for Henry. There was something special about the way we talked and relate to one another, it is almost like the world fades away when we are together. 

He flashed me a teasing smile. "Indeed. So, young lady, any other plans besides conquering the Ivy League?"

I shrugged, my heart doing a little happy dance at the nickname. "Just trying to survive high school for now."

Dad chimed in, "She's got her eyes on the debate club. Aren't you, Sophia?"

I nodded, grateful for the change of subject. "Yeah, I enjoy speaking my mind. And saying how I feel about things"

Henry leaned back in his chair, looking pensive. "Debate club, huh? That's a great way to sharpen your skills."

"Sophia is so smart, she doesn't even talk or act like kids her age, she makes me so proud," my dad said boastfully and I know that was how he truly felt, not just because he had said it about a million times already.  

Our eyes met, and for a moment, it was just the two of us. My heart raced, and I felt a rush of courage. "Maybe you can come watch one of our debates sometime."

Henry's smile held a hint of intrigue. "I'd like that. Just let me know when."

As dinner wrapped up, I helped clear the table, my mind replaying our conversation. My crush on Henry wasn't just a silly infatuation. It was real, complex, and maybe, just maybe, he saw me as more than a kid. The sparks in his eyes, the shared smiles—it was a silent understanding that sent my heart soaring.

We were in the midst of a moment, just Henry and I, lost in our conversation. Then, like a sudden gust of wind, my dad jumped in. "Henry, you'll be traveling soon, won't you?"

My heart plummeted, shattering into pieces. Why did he have to bring that up now? And what does he mean by Henry would be traveling, traveling to where, with who?

Henry's eyes met mine, his smile fading slightly. "Yes, that's true. I'm actually setting up a new office in California, Florida to be precise. It's going to require quite a bit of travel."

California. The word echoed in my head like a distant echo. I felt a sinking sensation in my chest. He was leaving me but for how long, was it going to be just temporary.  

Dad looked curious. "Wow, California. That's a big step. How's everything going with the new office?"

Henry's expression became more serious. "It's a lot of work, but I think it'll be worth it. Once everything's set up, I'll be moving there permanently."

My heart clenched as if it were being squeezed in a vise. Permanently? It was like a storm of emotions swirling inside me. I was having a raging heart attack and I could feel it, Henry would be moving away permanently from me and there was nothing I could do about it. 

Dad nodded, impressed. "That's a big commitment. But I'm sure you'll do great."

I felt like a bystander in my own body, my heart pounding in my ears. I managed to find my voice, almost a whisper. "Permanently?"

Henry turned to me, his gaze softening. "Yeah, Sophia. Once the office is running smoothly, I'll be based in California, because I would have to manage operations and overall performance of the business. But of course, I'll be stopping by here every now and then."

"Every now and then?" I echoed, my heart fluttering in my chest. What does that even mean, it wasn't the hope or assurance I needed. It was just a far of promise and nothing more. 

He smiled, that same reassuring smile that made my heart skip. "Definitely. You'll get sick of seeing me around, I'm sure."

My dad chuckled. "I doubt that."

As they continued talking about the logistics of the new office, I tried to process what Henry had just said. He was leaving, yes, but he was also leaving behind a promise, a connection that wouldn't just vanish with distance.

As dinner wound down, Dad said, "Why don't you stay for dessert, Henry?"

I kept my gaze lowered, sipping my water with more focus than necessary.

Henry's voice was gentle, "Another time, Collins. Thanks."

Dad gave me a meaningful look. "Sophia, why don't you walk Henry out?" He had always asked me to walk Henry out and any of our other guests since I was a kid. It was my own way of showing courtesy.  

My heart skipped a beat. Walking Henry out? I nodded, my pulse racing again. We reached the door, and I managed a shy smile.

"Thanks for coming over," I mumbled, my gaze flickering to his lips for a split second.

Henry's smile was understanding. "Anytime. You're becoming a big girl now."

The way he said it, a twinkle in his eyes, had me blushing like crazy.

"See you soon, Sophia," he said, patting my shoulder.

I watched him leave, my mind in a whirl. When I turned around, Dad stood there, arms crossed.

"You're quiet tonight," he remarked.

Heat rushed to my cheeks, and I shrugged. "Just tired, I guess."

He arched an eyebrow, and I quickly changed the subject. "I'm going to take that shower now. Night, Dad."

In my room, I leaned against the closed door, replaying the evening's moments. Henry's presence, and his words, all echoed in my mind. Tomorrow, I vowed, tomorrow I would take a step beyond shyness. Because maybe, just maybe, this crush could become more than a fluttering heart.

He was leaving and I needed to act as soon as possible.