He drove in silence a long time, reservations eating away at him with each mile. Sophie hadn’t changed in the past seven years, and the issue wasn’t likely to go away anytime soon. Especially when she didn’t even recognize it was a problem. In the long run, could he continue to play second fiddle to her family when it dredged up so much insecurity in him?

His stomach clenched at the thought of giving up what he’d only just reclaimed. He wasn’t sure. This upcoming break might be a blessing in disguise. Give them both time to think about things. Maybe it would be even better if he left earlier than planned. This tension between them wouldn’t serve her well on her big day. And as much as he wanted to be here for the grand opening, maybe it would be best to clear out.

*  *  *

Sophie swallowed against the lump in her throat. Those words about her dad had hit a soft target. It was true, she’d forgiven her father more easily than Aiden. She didn’t know why. But she didn’t want to think about that right now.

Aiden was so quiet, and she didn’t know how to fix things between them. She was sorry their evening had been interrupted, but couldn’t he see Jenna’s side? Her sister couldn’t pay for a Jet Ski sight unseen. It was just one of those situations that couldn’t be helped. Sophie hated that it had ruined their last evening together. Maybe there would be time tomorrow night after she closed to grab a meal together. She didn’t want to part like this.

They entered New Bern, and Aiden followed the GPS instructions, turning onto a road that ran along the water.

“Maybe it would be best if I just left in the morning,” Aiden said.

Sophie blinked at him, her heart plunging.

“Tomorrow’s an important day. I don’t want to be a distraction for you.”

Oh, he was doing her a favor, was he? No, he was doing what he always did when things got too serious. “By all means, Aiden, you should definitely leave first.”

He eased to a stop at a traffic light. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Am I getting too close? Are you feeling a little too much for me again?” She huffed a laugh, turning to stare out her window into the darkened landscape. “I should’ve known. You haven’t changed at all.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” His words were clipped.

She swung to look at him, her surface temperature shooting up ten degrees. “You leave first, Aiden. You leave before others can leave you. You did it to me seven years ago, and you’ve been doing it to every woman you’ve been with since.”

He gaped at her. “That’s not true.”

“The light’s green,” she snapped.