By the time Sophie slid the screen door closed, Aiden was there, hands on her waist, drawing her close. He set a soft kiss on her lips, and all Sophie’s anxiety drained away. The passion in his eyes made her pulse flutter.

“Sleep well?” he asked.

She slid her hands up his arms, enjoying the solid feel of his muscles. “Like a baby. I didn’t wake up until my alarm went off.”

“Coffee’s ready. Want some toast?”

“Sure. Thank you.” Pippa was back at the door, never one to linger when breakfast waited.

While she fetched Pippa’s food and a bowl of fresh water, Aiden made her toast and poured her a mug of coffee, fixing it the way she liked it. They settled at the kitchen island, as had become their habit.

“Brandon’s crew will be there at seven,” she said after she’d taken her first delicious sip of java. “And Leonard will arrive with the bookcases at eight. Get ready for a crazy day.”

While she ate her toast Aiden went over his plans to finish the drywall and painting. It was much the same as it had been every morning this week, except Aiden’s hand had settled on Sophie’s leg, and he kept casting delicious little glances her way.

As she finished breakfast a text came in. Seth wanted to know if she was awake yet. Seconds after she replied her phone buzzed with an incoming call.

“It’s Seth.” She rose to take her plate to the sink as she answered the phone.

“Hey, Sis. You’re up and at ’em early.”

“It’ll be a long day. The bookcases are going in. You won’t believe the day I had yesterday.” She filled him in on the tree crashing through the roof and all the efforts to restore order.

“Wow, good thing you had all that help.”

“You’re not kidding. I couldn’t have done it otherwise. How’s your job going?”

“So far so good. They actually want me to fly to Chicago for some training. It’s kind of last minute—this Tuesday through Thursday.”

Sophie’s heart sank. “My grand opening is Tuesday.”

“Oh, shoot. Is that this week? I’m sorry, Soph, but they asked me last minute, and I didn’t feel I could turn them down, new job and all. I want to prove I’m a team player, and this training only comes around once a year.”

Sophie beat back the disappointment as she leaned against the sink. “Sure, I understand.”

“Well, would you mind booking the flights for me? You always find the best deals.”

“Isn’t the company paying for it?”

“Well, yeah, but I want to show them I’m frugal with their money. And I wouldn’t have the first idea how to book a flight online.”