Corrected chapter 3! I somehow uploaded the whole wrong chapter before...
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"You really don't have to do this," Sophie insisted as she changed clothes. They'd been there for over an hour. First figuring out sizes. Then style preferences. She'd settled on some options, and was getting dressed and ready to go now.
"I do," Dean insisted, "I'll explain why over coffee."
"Okay," Sophie acquiesced, pulling back the curtain divider, "Better?"
"Much better," Dean agreed, looking her up and down.
The shapeless grey wrap dress was gone replaced with a burgundy cotton skirt and an ivory cable knit sweater. A light bit of makeup at least began to compensate for the dark circles under her eyes. And her hair was down, long waves cascading nearly to her waist.
"I do need shoes," she said, "But…hopefully you like it?"
"You're gorgeous," Dean couldn't help himself, "And they've got more stuff pulled for you right?"
Sophie nodded.
"Another skirt, pair of pants. Four or five tops. A few casual dresses. Then some activewear, I used to hike and do yoga a lot so I hope that's okay. Plus a formal dress, because you said I needed one. And then some pajamas. The whole nine yards," she replied.
"Perfect," Dean said, "We'll pick that up later. Now. Coffee?"
"I'm a tea drinker," Sophie said, "Coffee makes me jittery."
"I do think most normal shops have both," he took her hand.
"It's been a while," Sophie said, "How am I to know something hasn't changed in the last year and a half?"
He shuddered, repressing the anger bubbling beneath the surface. His Sophie. Cooped up like that. Abused like that.
Then he reprimanded his inner monologue. She wasn't his. Not yet. She hadn't agreed to it.
Of course, she'd come with him. Embraced him on sight. She'd curled up next to him in the car and was happily holding his hand now.
But he needed to hear it out loud.
Turns out he didn't have to wait long.
"I think I like you," Sophie said quietly as they walked to the cafe from his car. She kept her eyes fixed on the sidewalk.
"I'm glad," Dean said, "Because I've got a theory."
He put her tea on the table and sat down across from her.
"You've heard of true mates?" He asked.
"Conceptually," Sophie said, "But I've never met a pair."
"Carson wasn't?" Dean trailed off.
"No," Sophie said, "He was great. But no. My parents aren't. Sister and her husband aren't. I think it's just hard to find. And most people go with good enough…heck I went with good enough…"
Then the words came out in a rush. Dean felt like an absolute idiot. But he'd spent four hours in close proximity to this girl and he couldn't keep his mouth shut any longer.
"I always thought it was a myth too until my brother found his. And now I've spent six months trying to do the same thing and I really thought it wasn't gonna work until I met you. But from the second I smelled your scent on that asshole's jacket back at Sonny's I knew. I just knew. And it's absolutely fine if you think I'm wrong and you can go back or I can find you someone else but…I had to try."
Sophie fell silent. She sipped her tea and looked everywhere except his face.
Eventually she tapped his arm, gestured for him to lean in so she could speak more quietly.
"Is that why," she swallowed hard, "I hugged you like that?"
Dean exhaled. Relieved.
"Probably," he admitted.
"Okay good," Sophie said, "I thought I was just going insane."
"No I've wanted to kiss you from the second I smelled you," Dean said, "Seeing how gorgeous you are…huge bonus."
Sophie giggled.
"But we're still taking this slow," Dean said, "No pressure. We have to make sure it's right."
Sophie nodded.
"So the next week," he said, "We're gonna date. Do normal stuff together. And we'll see where that leads us."
Sophie nodded enthusiastically.
"So, speaking of normal," Dean offered, "This afternoon, once you're done with your tea, we're going on a date. Where to?"
"Wherever you'd like is absolutely fine…" Sophie said.
"I'm trying to learn your preferences. So turn off whatever compliant bullshit they programmed into you and tell me," Dean insisted.
Sophie shuddered, looked down at the table, and went silent.
"Hey," Dean said gently, "That came out harsher than I meant it too. I'm sorry."
"No," Sophie said, "You're right. That's what they want. Compliant bullshit. Apparently being a doormat is desirable…"
"I don't agree," Dean said, "Now…where did you like to go? Before. With Carson?"
"It's kinda nerdy…" Sophie admitted.
"Don't apologize," Dean said, "Just tell me."
"The botanical gardens," Sophie said.
"Then botanical gardens it is," Dean replied, "Let's go get you a coat. I'm very glad we picked flat shoes."
"Oh always," Sophie said, "I have epilepsy. You think I wear heels?"