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PLAYING HOUSE

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It was the last day of the school week, and Sophie sat across from Aria, enjoying their lunch and chatting between bites. Sophie's phone buzzed and she glanced down to see a message from Kai. They'd been texting here and there, catching up , but this message sent a ripple of anxiety and excitement through her. She felt her cheeks warm as she read it.

Dinner tonight?

As long as you're cooking.

I'll be there at six.

Noticing the shift in Sophie's expression, Aria set her fork down and eyed her friend with curiosity. "Who's got you all smiley?"

Sophie took a deep breath and placed her phone on the table. "Micah's father."

Aria's eyes widened, her eyebrows shooting up in surprise. "Since when was Daddy in the picture?"

Sophie took a deep breath, sorting through the complicated mess in her head. "It's... complicated," she admitted. "He didn't even know about Micah until recently. We'd... separated, I guess you could say, before I found out I was pregnant."

Aria's expression softened as she processed that. "And now he wants to be involved?"

Sophie nodded. "Yeah, he does."

Aria shot her a knowing look, her lips curling into a smirk. "So... are you gonna fuck him?"

Sophie sputtered, her "No" coming out way too fast for Aria to take seriously.

"No?" Aria arched a brow.

Sophie sighed, cracking a smile. "Maybe. I don't know. I don't want to get my hopes up again, and I definitely don't want to mess things up for Micah."

"Oh, no," Aria put on a dramatic tone, clutching her hands to her chest. "Micah's mom and dad together—it's the end of the world!"

Sophie rolled her eyes, grabbing a crouton and tossing it at her. "You're the worst."

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Sophie stood in the shower, letting the steam and warm water work away the stress of the day. She ran the razor along the last strip of her leg, feeling a bit winded after shaving head to toe. She had absolutely no plans to sleep with Kai... but still, it didn't hurt to be prepared.

Just then, the doorbell rang, and her eyes snapped open.

Sophie quickly rinsed off, shaking off the last of the suds, before stepping out and wrapping a towel around herself. As she headed into the hallway, she spotted Micah moving toward the door.

"I really hope you're not about to answer that door," she scolded, stopping him in his tracks. "You know better."

Micah sighed, rolling his eyes. "It's just Kai."

"I don't care if it's Santa Claus. You only open the door for me or Uncle Nicky. Got it?"

"Yes, Mom," Micah groaned.

"Good." Sophie shot him a quick smile, then opened the door to find Kai standing there with a bag of groceries and a grin.

"You're early," she remarked, stepping aside to let him in.

"You're naked," he replied as he stepped past her. He barely had a chance to put the bag down on the counter before Micah wrapped his arms around him.

"Kai!" Micah's voice was filled with excitement.

Kai laughed, looking down and ruffling his hair. "Hey, man. I missed you."

Sophie smiled, watching Kai and Micah together. She pulled the towel a little tighter around herself and excused herself to finish getting ready. As she turned down the hall, she could still hear their voices trailing after her.

Sophie smiled as she quickly pulled on a casual but nice outfit—jeans and a soft, fitted sweater. She took a breath, taming her nerves before heading back into the kitchen, where Kai was now unpacking ingredients, and Micah was chattering away, sitting on a stool with his legs swinging.

Grinning, Sophie hopped up to sit on an empty counter, getting comfortable as Kai pulled out a bottle of wine and held it up with a questioning look.

She raised her brows in delight. "You're pulling out all the stops tonight, aren't you?"

"Only the best for you," he replied, pouring two glasses of wine and handing one to her.

Their eyes met, a quiet tension simmering between them as she accepted the glass, taking a sip.

Sophie watched as he tied up his hair, then rolled up his sleeves, revealing his forearms as he moved to wash his hands. She caught staring, her bottom lip dragging between her teeth as she zoned out for a moment, before snapping herself back to reality.

"What are we making?" Micah asked, leaning forward slightly.

Kai grinned and lifted the lasagna noodles, wiggling the package in Micah's direction. "Lasagna. Ma's special recipe."

Sophie's eyes lit up, practically tasting his mom's cooking at just the mention. "I didn't realize how much I missed her food until right now."

"Is it as good as Mom's mac and cheese?"

Sophie laughed, glancing at Kai. "He doesn't think anything can top that mac and cheese."

"Well, I guess I'll have to try really hard, then," Kai replied. "Wanna help out?"

Micah nodded eagerly. "Yes! Can I do the cheese?"

Kai chuckled, handing him a bag of mozzarella. "You got it, chef. Just wait till I'm done with the sauce."

Micah nodded, sitting down with the bag of cheese in hand. Meanwhile, Sophie took another sip of wine.

"When did you and Mama meet?" Micah asked, looking up at Kai with wide, curious eyes.

Kai's lips curved into a small smile as he moved to start the sauce. "My sister brought her home one day and she never left."

Sophie gasped, putting a hand to her chest in feigned offense. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Kai threw her a teasing look. "It means you practically lived there."

Micah giggled at their playful exchange. "Did you like her?"

Kai chuckled, stirring the sauce. "Not at first. She was actually pretty annoying."

Sophie playfully swatted his arm. "And you were a total asshole."

Kai lowered his voice to Micah as if sharing a secret. "I'm still an asshole," he whispered, making Micah laugh.

Micah's face turned serious. "Did you love her?"

Sophie nearly choked on her wine, her gaze snapping over to Kai who didn't seem as phased by the question.

Kai hesitated, seeming to gather his thoughts before he turned fully to Micah, deliberately avoiding Sophie's gaze. "I did," he admitted. "And it scared the hell out of me. So... I left."

Micah's face fell, his frown small but heavy as he processed that answer. "Oh."

Sophie's eyes remained fixed on Kai and just as he looked up, their eyes met.

Micah nodded, but his curiosity didn't seem entirely satisfied. "Are you scared now?"

Kai watched Sophie, a hint of a smile tugging at his lips. "Not anymore."

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The little family sat around the circular dining table, the orange glow of the setting sun filtering through the bay window. Micah's laughter filled the room, his giggles infectious enough to make both of his parents laugh along with him.

Suddenly, an idea seemed to spark in Micah's mind. "Can we watch a movie together?"

Sophie hesitated, glancing at Kai before replying, "Oh, I don't know, baby."

"Why not?" Kai asked, a shrug lifting his shoulders as he looked between them. "I don't have anywhere else I need to be tonight."

Sophie raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure?"

Kai gave her a reassuring smile. "I'm all yours."

Sophie sighed but couldn't help the smile tugging at her lips. "Okay, but you have to take a bath first."

Micah groaned in exaggerated annoyance, but Kai smirked. "I think that's a pretty fair compromise, don't you?"

Micah slouched in his chair, but he nodded. "I guess."

Sophie nodded toward the bathroom, watching as Micah slowly rose to his feet, his body dragging as he shuffled in that direction. He reached the door and, with a dramatic sigh, shut it behind him.

Their eyes locked, and something unspoken lingered in the space between them. Sophie, feeling the moment, rose from her seat, gathering her plate before reaching for his, her hand brushing against his in a fleeting but telling touch.

Sophie collected Micah's plate, stacking it neatly with the others, and carried them to the sink. She placed the dishes down, exhaling as she stared into the basin, trying to gather her thoughts.

Before she could collect her thoughts, she felt him behind her. His presence was undeniable, as though the air itself shifted when he drew near. She turned swiftly, her back pressed against the counter as she faced him.

Kai stood there, close enough that she could feel the heat radiating off him. His eyes held hers, unblinking, drawing her in.

"Did you mean what you said?" Sophie asked, her voice quiet as her eyes searched his.

Kai nodded as his gaze flickered down her body before returning to her eyes. His lips curled into a slight smile as he stepped closer, forcing Sophie to press her back fully against the counter.

"I can't do this again, Kai," she whispered. Her body, however, betrayed her. The way she responded—her breath, her posture—didn't align with what she had just said.

Kai placed his hands on either side of her on the counter, closing her in. She felt his presence all around her, like a force she couldn't escape. His eyes locked onto hers, and he leaned down just slightly.

"What are you afraid of?" He asked, cocking his head.

Sophie swallowed hard, her throat tight. "You,"

She had expected the words to make him pull away, to hurt him, but instead, she saw something flicker in his eyes. Amusement. Satisfaction. Almost as if her fear was exactly what he wanted.

He studied her like he was weighing every part of her—the hesitation in her voice, the nervousness in her eyes, the way her body betrayed her words. There was something that pulled her toward him despite everything telling her to stay back.

His hand moved slowly, almost hesitant, as he gently cupped her cheek, his touch warm against her skin. "Sophie," he whispered her name like a plea, his gaze never leaving hers. "I know I fucked up." shifted, resting more firmly on her jaw, his middle finger grazing behind her earlobe, pulling her just a little closer. "But I want to be here... Let me be here."

Sophie's eyes fluttered, her gaze momentarily drifting away, but before she could pull back too far, his thumb was at her chin, guiding her back to meet his eyes.

"Just one night," Kai pressed. "You and me."

Sophie let out a bitter laugh. "What? Like a date?"

"Like a date," Kai confirmed.

She pursed her lips to the side as she glanced up at him through her lashes. Then, with a resigned exhale, she muttered, "Fuck it."

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The movie played softly in the background as Micah lay curled up between them, his small frame nestled against Sophie's side, his feet stretched comfortably across Kai's lap. Kai sat on the opposite end, his arm resting casually along the back of the couch.

As the movie neared its end, Sophie glanced down at Micah, noticing how his breathing had slowed and his small hand had relaxed, slipping from her lap. She smiled, reaching down to brush the hair out of his face.

Kai shifted, his eyes catching the peaceful little figure. "Looks like he's out cold."

Sophie chuckled quietly, nodding. "Yeah, I think we lost him halfway through the movie."

He stood up from the couch before crouching down next to Micah.

"Come on, little man," Kai murmured, gently lifting Micah into his arms. The boy stirred slightly but didn't wake, his head resting against Kai's shoulder.

Sophie watched, her heart-tugging as he carefully carried Micah to his room. Sophie followed quietly behind, watching him as he carefully laid Micah on his bed. Kai tucked the blanket around him, smoothing it over his little body.

Kai lingered momentarily, his hand resting gently on Micah's head, ensuring he was tucked in just right. He turned to leave, but not before casting one last glance at Sophie, who was standing by the door with a smile on her face.

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