Ok, so I didn`t actually call them their women because I know those guys are a bit gun shy, but they still understood what I meant.
Sophie`s brother was the first to show up, but Simon texted me he`d be here in five minutes, so thankfully, I wouldn`t have to wait long.
I take him to the kitchen, and we walk in o find a grinning Sophie and Ema and a frowning Gwen.
„What are you doing here?” Gwen asks him, her arms folded over her chest in what I assume is meant to be an intimidating stance.
Unfortunately for her, I don`t think she`d be able to intimidate anyone except maybe some toddlers. Emphasis on the word maybe.
„Max was kind enough to let me know you were here, and since my shift ended, I thought I`d offer you a ride home.”
He seems to be amused at her little warrior stance, and she seems to know it because she frowns even harder. If I were him, I`d be a bit more careful; it`s the quiet ones that pack the most punch.
„Sophie asked Ema and me to stay for dinner si you can go ahead and go home. I`ll take an Uber.”
„Dinner sounds good; I`m starving,” Sam says with a smirk.
Wait; what? This is not going according to plan.
Just then, I hear the doorbell again, and I remember Simon. I shake my head because the chances of him also staying for dinner are very, very high. I didn`t think this through.
„I`ll get it; it`s probably Simon.”
„You called Simon too?” Sophie asks me with raised eyebrows
„Of course not. I texted him. Nobody calls these days.”
I go and greet Simon, and we end up in the kitchen again.
„Oh, buttercup, I`m so glad you came. I was starting to feel like a third wheel,” Ema says while pouting.
„Always glad to be of service. Hello, I`m Simon Masters. I didn`t get a chance to introduce myself last night what with detective Grant here whisking you off in such a dramatic fashion.”
He smiles at Gwen and offers his hand, which she shakes with that dreamy smile women are so prone to when Simon dishes out that British charm of his.
„I`m Gwen Laurens, and it`s very nice to meet you. You have a British accent, those are lovely.”
„Thank you.”
Sam is frowning at both of them, and my sister isn`t looking too happy either. God, it`s like I`m witnessing a live soap opera in my own kitchen.
„Well, if you`re through charming Gwen, maybe we could go out and start the barbeque. I assume you`re staying for dinner.”
„Sure, I`d love to.”
I turn to Sophie, and I see she`s amused at my resigned expression.
„I thought the guys and I would fire up the barbeque, and you and the girls can prepare some sides.”
She gives me that smile that I love, and even though I feel myself grinning like a love-sick idiot I can`t help it. Her brother`s probably going to try to kick my ass.
„That sounds great, sunshine. I`ll prepare the meat while you get the barbeque going.”
„God, you guys are so domestic and cute,” my sister says in that annoying voice people use when talking to kids and dogs.
„Yeah, on that note, we`ll head outside. You guys want a beer?”
„Don`t give buttercup alcohol, you know how he gets?” my sister says with a sweet smile towards Simon. I might be wrong, but I think she wants to make sure his attention is on her and not Gwen.
„Your concern is much appreciated, as always, love. But you needn`t worry; I wasn`t going to drink anyway because I need to drive you home after dinner so I`ll need to be completely sober in case you decide to get drunk again this evening .”
Ema sticks out her tongue at him, which is a perfectly reasonable reaction for a grown woman to have. Not.
„Alright, gentlemen, let`s get outside, or we`ll never eat.”
And you`ll never leave so I can be alone with Sophie. I think it, but I don't say it out loud because I do have some manners.
◆◆◆
„So, you and my sister are a thing now?”
Sam eyes me while I prepare the grill, and I can`t tell if he`s bothered by his sister and me being together or not. The man is a cop, so I`m guessing his poker face is on point.
„Yes, we are. It`s a recent development though, when we ran into you at the supermarket we were just friends.”
As a guy who has a younger sister, I understand the fact that you always feel the need to protect them, no matter their age.
He nods and takes a sip out of the can of soda he`s drinking.
„I assume I don`t need to tell you that if you don`t treat her right, I`ll be up your ass faster than you can blink.”
„I understand, I`d do the same.”
„Good, then we don`t need to talk about this anymore.”
„May I just say that you two are acting in a very mature fashion, and I`m sure Sophie would be very pleased to know this.”
Both Sam and I turn to look at Simon, who`s sitting in a chair far away from the grill because he doesn't want his clothes to smell like smoke and drinking a glass of orange juice because soda is bad for you.
Sam turns back towards me.
„How are you two friends, again?”
„We meet in college. Once you get past the preppy outfits and the old-world English manners, he`s a pretty good guy.”
Simon scowls at me and picks a small lint off his trousers.
„Your praise warms my weary soul. Alas, not all men can be tough and athletic . Some of us choose to embrace our inner gentleman. It`s worked out rather nicely for me.”
„Oh, if only my sister were here to hear that little speech. You know Ema loves your big vocabulary.”
At the mention of my sister`s name, he frowns unhappily.
„You know very well your
