"You just never know, do you?" Kaja pulled up two stools to the counter as they watched the brownies in the oven. Thomas insisted someone stay with them and she'd volunteered. She was the chef, after all. He sacrificed himself to assist Matt entertain the patrons waiting for dessert. To pass the time, they'd filled up the industrial coffee makers with ground beans and set them to percolate.

Sophie plopped onto the empty seat. "About what?"

"When I started this shelter, I didn't understand relying on the generosity of the town would be so hit or miss. There's enough wealth down the street at Yale to fund ten shelters, but still we struggle. Every now and again, someone walks through those doors and you never know if they will be here for a few hours, check their volunteer box for the year and leave, never to be seen again." Her gaze drifted to the door separating the kitchen from the dining hall. "Then there are the days when a true kind-hearted person shows up and our little community shifts. It gets bigger and better for their presence."

"You think Thomas is one of those people?"

"Don't you feel it?"

Sophie played with the hem of her apron. "My judgement of people hasn't been the greatest lately."

Kaja nudged her knee. "You think too much. Put aside your rules and regulations and look at the boy." Sophie glanced at the oven, where the brownies were just starting to fill the kitchen with the aroma of baked goodness. "Look at his actions. They speak louder than words."

"Could all just be an act." She rubbed her hands on her jeans. Why were her hands so cold suddenly?

"To what end, Sophie." Kaja swept her hand in the air. "The only people he's impressed are a teen obsessed with chess, an old lady and..." She raised an eyebrow.

Sophie gulped air. "Me?"

"Yes. You."

As if to further highlight the theory, the oven dinged and chimes emitted from the phone. "Let's see if—"

Thomas burst through the door. "The brownies!"

Sophie peered through the oven door and caught the smile on her face. "They look done."

A ghost-like image of Thomas joined her reflection in the pale glass. His gaze met hers. "Let's test them." She held the door as he pricked the closest batch, the fork coming away practically clean. "They're perfect."

"I'll get the platters." Kaja opened a cupboard as Sophie and Thomas removed the pans.

As he intended, the foil made freeing each rectangle quick and easy. Thomas admired their handiwork. "Can we pop them in the fridge for a few minutes? Don't want anyone to burn the roof of their mouth."

With the meal over, the fridge was almost bare and fitting the wire racks with the brownies required very little effort, one on each shelf. Coffee made, together they transported the urns to the hall and set them on the side table.

"Time for pie." Garret rubbed his hands together.

"There's been a change of plans." Thomas ignored the groans. "Sophie here was kind enough to let me make you Pumpkin Brownies instead. They'll be out in a minute."

Garret leaned back in his seat. "That's not tradition."

Sophie stepped forward, shoulder to shoulder with Thomas. "We thought we'd start a new tradition." Her hand landed on his bicep, the sturdy muscles beneath the cotton seemed to relax at her touch.

"Plus, there's a special ingredient." His gaze met hers and tiny butterflies stirred under her breastbone. Love. He was going to say love. The odd thing was, she wouldn't mind hearing the sentiment. Because there was something special about today and maybe, if she listened to Kaja and let this boy in her world might shift. For the better.

"White Chocolate." The movie star smile broke across Thomas's face and any shadow of disappointment over his utterance burned away in the bright light. "Sophie's favourite."

A giggle flew from her lips, and the crowd echoed her joyous sentiment. Kaja interrupted the impromptu speech with a platter containing squares the color of burnt orange and streaked with pops o white. "Come and get them."

***

"Your brownies are a hit." The empty platter Kaja brought into the kitchen rattled against the counter. "I've been requested to add the recipe to next month's newsletter."

Hands in soapy water, Thomas twisted to look at her. "I'll text you the recipe."

Kaja's eyes flickered to her and then returned to Thomas. "Maybe send it to Sophie. I'm not exactly tech savvy."

Sophie placed the pot she was drying and glared at her friend. "Funny, you had no trouble sending me the dancing cat meme yesterday."

"Must be a fluke." Kaja patted Thomas on the back. "You did well today. Thank you for everything. Hope we'll see you around here again sometime."

He removed the pink rubber gloves she'd given him when he offered to stay behind after the other kitchen staff left and help wash dishes. "Matt and I have a chess match on Saturday. Maybe we can talk about some volunteer hours. I can add to my schedule."

The older woman's face lit up like a Christmas tree. "It's a date." She steered him towards the door. "Now you two should get going. It's started to snow."

Thomas helped Sophie into her coat and held the door for her as they stepped onto the sidewalk on the side of the shelter. Large, fat flakes fell from the darkened sky, catching in her hair and on the lapels of his jacket.

"I love winter," he said.

"Really?" She regretted her decision not to wear a scarf. "Most people love spring or summer."

"They're great. But look at this." Thomas indicated the empty streets, a fine layer of white blanketing every surface. "The world is beautiful. Magical." His gaze found hers again. "Like anything can happen."

"Like frostbite."

A thunderous laugh boomed from Thomas and Sophie couldn't hold back the grin at his exuberance and her delight at being the cause of such a jubilant sound.

"Thank you for making my first Thanksgiving away from home memorable." He inched closer, the remnants of his smile still etched on his face.

Unable to resist the shelter from the wind he offered, she hovered nearer. "Thanks for making this the first Thanksgiving I've enjoyed in a while." She swiped at a strand that blocked her view of him. Her hair fell like a curtain across her face as she removed the pin failing to hold it back.

"May I?" Thomas held out his hand.

Not sure what to expect, Sophie placed the sparkly butterfly in his palm. With the barest of touches, the pads of his fingers skimmed her hairline, pulling her hair off her face and sending tingles like ripples through her body. The cold air seemed to sharpen his scent, now a mix of fragrant sage and sweet baked goods.

His lips pursed, then parted. "I've wanted to do this all day."

"Fix my hair?"

Thomas slid the pin into place. "No, find a reason to get this close to you." His finger trailed down her cheek and her skin flamed at the contact. Their breath mingled as he traced her chin, in the end requesting she tilt her face to him. "So I could ask you."

She made an attempt to look away, but even in the low streetlight his eyes shone like emeralds. "Ask me what?"

"Can I kiss you?"

Sophie answered by tipping up on her tiptoes and brushing her mouth against his. Despite the cold, his lips were warm and soft. Inviting. She took the invitation, asking for more. Thomas obliged, pushing his hands into her hair and tucking her against his chest. In his arms, pressed against him, her hand on his waist, she found the recipe for the perfect kiss.

White chocolate used to be Sophie's favourite thing, but from that moment on, her new obsession was Thomas, her white knight.

Hi all, D L here. So there you have it. How Sophie and Thomas met. The good news is, there love is true. In the coming years, Thomas even proposes to Sophie. The bad news is, they don't get married. 

There's more to Sophie's story. It's a full length novel called Grey Skies. She is a side character in True Blue and Perfectly Pink and I wanted her to have a chance at love.

You can read her story here ---->