“It’s just one night. I’m sure the airport will open in the morning, and I’ll get out of your hair.”

He made it sound so easy. “Fine, Aiden. It looks as though we don’t really have a choice. And it’s a big house.”

“Meaning . . . I should stay out of your way?”

“Don’t you think that’s best? How’s your girlfriend going to feel about you being cooped up here with your ex?”

“She’s not my—” He sighed, looking away. “Listen, maybe this will be a good time to find some closure. I don’t feel like things are really settled between us.”

“As far as I’m concerned things are as settled as they’re ever going to be.”

He gave her a long, soulful look, the same one that had always made her want to palm his scruffy cheek and whisper soothing words. But why should she comfort him? She was the one who needed comfort at the moment.

She got up from the bar stool and took her plate to the sink. “We should get the windows covered before the storm moves in.”

chapter seven

The rain was coming down harder. Sophie was soaked to the skin by the time she finished securing the colonial storm shutters. Since Aiden was so fond of heights, she let him handle the upstairs windows. He was still on a ladder, closing the last shutter. The process had taken longer than she’d anticipated, and the storm would soon be bearing down on the cove.

She dashed through the open doorway and stood dripping on the rug while she shrugged from her raincoat.

Pippa looked up at her with questioning eyes, head cocked, ears perked. “It’s gonna be okay, sweetie. Just a little storm.” Sophie swept the trembling dog into her arms. “Let’s go find Mama a dry set of clothes.”

She took her time in the bedroom, especially once she heard Aiden come back inside. She soon heard him moving around overhead. They could just keep to their own spaces. There was no reason they had to hunker down together.

In the bathroom she picked up her blow-dryer and looked at Pippa staring at the ceiling. “We don’t like him, you know. He’s the enemy.”

Pippa gave a playful yap.

“Yeah, yeah, he’s got his charms, but trust me on this. He’ll only break your heart.”

Her phone buzzed. Sophie set down her hair dryer, grateful for the distraction—a text from Seth.

Everything okay? I felt a twin twinge and checked the weather. The storm was upgraded to a Cat 1.

Sophie replied. We’re all boarded up, and the patio furniture is secure. I’ll wait it out until it blows over.