Chapter 4We Both Loved My Best Friend

For dinner, we went to Sophia’s favorite sushi restaurant.

On the way there, Declan and Sophia chatted nonstop. “So, life abroad treated you well?” Declan’s voice, full of undisguised cheer, drifted into the back seat.

Sophia laughed and told him all about her experiences, the conversation flowing from life overseas to the changes back home. They were so engrossed in each other they seemed to forget I was there at all. I was the third wheel at my own best friend’s welcome home dinner.

As we entered the restaurant, Declan took the menu and his first words were, “Sophia, you always loved the miso-glazed cod here. Should we get it?”

She nodded, then turned to me. “Tori, what do you want?”

Before I could answer, Declan cut in. “She’s easy. She’ll eat anything.”

I sat beside him, feeling like a decorative accessory. When the food arrived, he served Sophia first, even pouring her a small glass of sake. They moved together with the easy grace of a long-established couple.

My chopsticks barely moved. The steam rising from my miso soup blurred my vision, or maybe it was something else.

As the meal wound down, Declan glanced at his phone, as if suddenly remembering my presence. “Victoria, why don’t you grab a cab home? Sophia has a lot of luggage, and I wouldn't want you to strain yourself. We’re a team anyway, so me helping is the same as you helping.”

I didn’t argue. I just nodded. “That’s fine. I’m finished anyway, and I have some work to do at the studio.”

I picked up my bag and stood. At the door, some strange impulse made me look back.

The warm, yellow light of the restaurant fell on Declan’s profile. He was looking down, carefully peeling a shrimp for Sophia, a gentle smile playing on his lips.

It had been so long since I had seen him look that tender.