Home for him was in Charleston. He’d be leaving on Wednesday, and she’d be staying here, starting her new life. They’d once again lead separate lives. She didn’t want it to be so, but there it was. When he left last time he’d asked her to drop her plans and follow. Would he ask the same of her this time? And was she just as bad, hoping he’d leave the business he’d worked so hard to build and move to Piper’s Cove for her?

He must’ve felt the tension coursing through her because he pulled away again, searching her face.

*  *  *

Aiden’s pulse was still pounding out a wild tattoo as his breath mingled with Sophie’s. He hadn’t wanted to stop kissing her. The taste of her was still on his lips, an addictive drug that made him desperate for more.

But he’d felt a shift in her, a withdrawal. And he understood her reservation. As much as he wanted to make out with her the rest of the night, they needed to have a conversation. One that had been a long time coming.

Sometime between yesterday and today something had shifted inside Aiden. It started last night when he passed her room and looked in at her, sleeping so peacefully. And it continued all day as he watched her organizing the crew of volunteers who’d shown up on her doorstep. All evening he could hardly take his eyes off this amazing woman.

He knew it now with every beat of his heart: He didn’t want them to go their separate ways. He didn’t want to give up something that, he was only beginning to understand, was a once-in-a-lifetime kind of thing.

“What are we doing, Aiden?” she asked softly, a pained look on her face.

“What we should’ve done days ago.” He cradled her face, drew a deep breath, and dug deep for the courage to put words to his feelings. “I still care for you, Sophie. I’d like to see where this could go.”

She shook her head regretfully. “This is a mistake. We live five hours apart.”

“I know there are obstacles, and I don’t know how we’ll overcome them. I only know we have to try.” His gut clenched at the question he had to ask. “Do you still have feelings for me, Sophie?”

“Of course I do. But my business is here and yours is in Charleston.”

“Can’t we try the long-distance thing?” His eyes pierced hers, needing her to see how fervently he wanted this. “What we have is . . . It’s too special to give up on. Can’t you see that?”