He’d have to get another rental car, but that wasn’t a big deal. He checked his watch. Too late to bother the Fosters with a call, but they wouldn’t mind his bunking there for the night. And he knew just where they kept the spare key.

chapter five

Sophie had no idea how long she’d been trying to fall asleep, but it had been a while. She turned over in bed, nudging Pippa aside with her knee. The dog didn’t even stir.

It had been an exciting, emotional day, so it would make sense if she were lying here reminiscing about how beautiful Jenna looked as she walked down the aisle or about the sweet expression that fell over Grant’s face as he watched his bride approach.

It would even make sense if she were anticipating the opening of her bookshop—her dreams finally coming to fruition at the ripe, old age of twenty-five. Or excited about being on her own for the first time ever. She had so much to look forward to.

But none of those things were stealing her thoughts tonight. It was the memory of Aiden’s hands at the small of her back. The soft scrape of his voice in her ear. The plaintive look in his soulful eyes as he’d apologized.

That’s right. He apologized. I’ve forgiven him. The end.

Sophie shifted again, trying to find a comfortable spot on the pillow, which hadn’t given her a moment’s trouble the past two nights.

Rain pattered on the roof, falling steadily now. She was thankful the weather wouldn’t prevent her from starting on her shop tomorrow. She already had five gallons of Coastal Blue waiting in her store, along with primer, rollers, brushes, tape, tarps, and a six-foot ladder.

An image of Aiden’s face flashed in her mind. The way he’d stared at her when they were dancing, all his usual bluff and bluster nowhere to be seen. His eyes had gone soft, full of concern. Regret etched clearly on the planes of his face.

Where was all that regret when he’d left her, plate full and already overwhelmed by her responsibilities? Where was he when she was up nights with her mom, helping Seth through calculus, and dealing with Jenna and her lack of regard for her curfew?

A soft thump sounded over the patter of rain. Sophie opened her eyes to the darkness, listening. Probably just normal house sounds. The past two nights there had been four other girls bumping around, so Sophie wasn’t necessarily familiar with the house’s creaks and clanks.

Something thumped and Sophie bolted upright. Her heart knocked against her ribs, heavy and fast. It sounded as if it had come from the entryway. Maybe it was just the wind, knocking tree branches against the house. Maybe it hadn’t been as loud as she’d imagined—Pippa still slept undisturbed after all.