Sophia Bush took Ashlyn Harris by surprise when she made the first move to kick off their romance.
The One Tree Hill alum says she asked the soccer star out after learning that their mutual friends were trying to set the athlete up with another person.
"I was like, 'If she's ready to date, she's going on a date with me,'" Sophia said on the July 17 episode of her Work in Progress podcast. "Like, sorry, uh uh. Like, no f--king way."
The Chicago P.D. star also revealed Ashlyn's response to being asked out. "She was like, 'Hold the phone, I always thought you were straight,'" Sophia said. "And I was like, 'I always thought you were happy. But we're both f--king single, what are we doing?'"
The 42-year-old continued, "We were f--king cackling because I was like, 'Yeah. dude, I never looked at you as an option,' and she was like, 'I never looked at you as an option.'"
Sophia was first publicly linked to the 38-year-old last October, two months after the actress filed for divorce from entrepreneur Grant Hughes after 13 months of marriage. As for Ashlyn, she filed for divorce from fellow soccer star Ali Krieger, with whom she shares two children, after almost four years of marriage in September 2023.
In April, Sophia came out publicly as queer and revealed she and Ashlyn began dating after she asked the athlete "to have a non-friend-group hang."
"And that meal was four and a half hours long," she wrote in a Glamour essay, "and truly one of the most surreal experiences of my life thus far."
The two have since offered fans glimpses of their relationship on social media.
"Last year I got free," Sophia wrote in a comment on Ashlyn's birthday tribute to her on Instagram July 8. "This year I found the very best love in the very most unexpected place."
She continued, "I may never get over the gift of it. Thank you for putting me back together. For making my second birthday even better than my first. And for reminding me what the sound of my unbridled laughter sounds like. You are magic. You are my best present."
Look back at Sophia and Ashlyn's love story...
Pride Month Selfie
The two marked the end of their first Pride Month as a couple in June 2024 with this adorable selfie shared by the soccer star.
Cannes Selfie
While attending the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, the soccer star posted this selfie with the One Tree Hill alum and basketball player Sue Bird.
Summer Celebration
In July 2023, the pair attended a watch party in Los Angeles for the FIFA Women's World Cup.
Cheers
The duo was photographed cheering alongside Michelle Akers and Linda Gancitano.
Art Basel Beauties
While attending Art Basel in December 2023, Michelle Tillou shared this Instagram photo with Ashlyn and Sophia.
Award Season Style
The duo struck a pose with Eric McCormack at the Elton John AIDS Foundation's 32nd Annual Academy Awards Viewing Party in March 2024.
Group Shot
The pair also spent time with Stephanie Nguyen and Bobby Berk at the star-studded gathering.
Red Carpet Debut
Ashlyn and Sophia made their red carpet debut at the White House Correspondents' Dinner in April 2024.
Late Night
Following the dinner, the couple cozied up at an after-party at the Swiss ambassador's residence.
City of Love
Sophia and Ashlyn enjoyed a romantic trip to Paris in May 2024.
Say Oui
The Chicago P.D. actress captioned this cozy-looking snapshot from a May 2024 Paris trip, "Happiness looks goo on you, baby."
J'Adore Paris
Sophia also shared this group pic from their trip to Paris in May 2024.
Holiday Travels
In fact, Ashlyn and Sophia love Paris so much they said bonjour to the city once again in December 2024.
Celebrating the Oscars
The athlete and the actress watched the 2025 Oscars at the Elton John AIDS Foundation's 2025 Academy Awards viewing party.
Romantic Getaway
The couple enjoyed a trip to the mountains in May 2025.
A Night at the Gala
Dance on over to see this photo Ashlyn and Sophia took at the American Ballet Theatre Spring Gala in May 2025.