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Their relationship ever since she’d reached out to be a part of his life consisted of one or two monthly visits like today But Eric kept them short Even when she’d invited him to come stay with her for a feeeks in the summer or to take a trip with her, he’d always politely declined

Ro of chips on the coffee table For some reason, Eric felt the need to avoid eye contact with Romero His knotted up stomach churned It was out there Someone kne, and it was just a matter of time before he had to deal with her brothers

"Listen, Roonna say anything," he scoffed "Are you fking kidding uys?" He shook his head "Nope No thanks, but I’ you, Eric, you better watch yourself This shit has bad neritten all over it"

Eric eyeballed hi on his watch He didn’t need Romero to point that thunderous fact out

He called Sofia before leaving to assure her Ro He only prayed Ros were going fine Sofia and Eric had slipped into a coel had become so distracted with Sarah, he appreciated the fact th Kd trip witat Eric was so willing to help hi Sofia around Then suddenly, and very dras off with Sarah She was supposed to have gone back to Arizona after the New Year anyway, but just before Christ for her back home and it was over

He’d been in a completely black h Sarah was no longer around, his distraction continued Never once did he question why Eric was over so much

Their parents were gone the week after Christmas Every year they took off to Mexico after Christmas and didn’t come back until after the New Year At the last ether a party for New Year’s Eve Sofia didn’t even know about it until she got ho up the restaurant with Sal, who’d come home for the holidays

Excited about a party, Sofia ran to her rooe She’d borrowed the cutest blouse from Sarah months earlier and hadn’t had a chance to wear it All done up, she went downstairs, excited about Eric seeing her in it He wasn’t there yet, but Alex took one look at her and e As usual, Sofia was so mad she was close to tears Just because it was a backless top, and he was having soe friends over He was ridiculous

After changing into one of her boring tops, because she owned nothing sexy, she went back downstairs As it turned out, even her boring top was enough to drive Eric crazy No sooner than she leaned against hi pool, did he pull away

"Stop," he whispered

She giggled All three of her brothers were engrossed in the gairls Alex talked to were so silly, Sofia could barely believe they were in college Their obvious atteel, of course, was oblivious to theht and went upstairs, in the mood he was in

Alex clicked the channel on the television that hung in the corner of the garage They were getting ready for the countdown to the New Year Ro screen inside Sofia pulled Eric’s aro with hier"