“Independent stores are actually experiencing growth right now. And there’s not a bookshop around for fifty miles, so I’ll have no competition.”

The song ended, but the band moved into another slow ballad.

“What about you? Jenna said you have one more year of school. Business administration?”

“Business management. I plan to take over my dad’s restaurant when I graduate. The degree was his requirement.”

“Sounds reasonable.”

Aiden appeared at their side. “May I cut in?”

Before she could put him off, Erik stepped away. He hiked an amused brow at her. “To be continued.”

Aiden slid smoothly into Erik’s place, but that was the only thing that was the same about this dance. She was suddenly conscious of the warmth of his hands at her waist, of the taut stretch of muscles beneath her palms. Of the graze of his lips at her temple.

*  *  *

Ever since he’d spotted Sophie in Erik’s arms, Aiden had been counting the seconds before he could ditch Dana and take the man’s place. Aiden drew Sophie close until his arms stretched around her.

And yes, he was making a point of dancing closer to her than Erik had. It filled some primal need he couldn’t quite figure out. He couldn’t seem to help himself. That she didn’t resist his efforts made him a little heady.

He wanted to ask if she was interested in Erik, but he didn’t want to waste precious time talking about some other guy. Aiden needed to make things right with Sophie, if he could. That had been his solitary goal since last night when he’d realized she still held him in contempt.

“You’ve been avoiding me,” he said softly into her ear.

“I’ve been attending to my duties.”

It was more than that, and he couldn’t blame her. “I really am sorry for how I left. You deserved better.”

He waited for her response while their feet shuffled, while their thighs brushed. He grazed his palms across the low arch of her back, still remembering the curves he’d mapped out years ago.

“Forget it,” she said finally. “Water under the bridge.”

“I didn’t mean to hurt you, Sophie.”

She stiffened.

He leaned back until their eyes met.

“I counted on you, Aiden. That was a big deal for me.”

Guilt pricked him hard. Sophie’d had precious few people in her life she could lean on. She’d spilled all her secrets to him, and he’d thanked her by running off.

“I called you after I left.”

“I remember.”

“You never called me back. But even so I picked up my phone so many times, wanting to tell you things, wanting to know how your day was going.”

“Why didn’t you?”