Sophie petted Pippa’s trembling body. The little darling was traumatized from having been left home alone. She could relate to the dog’s anxiety. Sophie had never been claustrophobic, but with the windows boarded, the temperature rising, and darkness pressing in, she was feeling a little cramped now. And okay, Aiden’s presence wasn’t helping either.

“Run out of ways to avoid me?”

Aiden was studying her, the golden candlelight flickering on his face, an enigmatic look in his eyes. He was a gorgeous man, she couldn’t deny that.

And she didn’t see any point in denying his accusation. “You seemed upset with me. I thought it best if we went to our own corners for a while.”

He set aside the crossword puzzle, his shoulders sinking in a sigh. “I’m not upset with you. Well, okay, I was upset, but I’m over it. I’m not going to be like Officer Cranky Pants about all this, and honestly there’s so much underlying stuff between us—” He gave her a pained look. “I’d really just like to get it settled once and for all, Sophie.”

Oh, that. She’d been hoping he’d let it go. She didn’t want to relive what had happened between them. Didn’t want to feel the pain of betrayal and heartache. That wound had scabbed over, and she didn’t want to tear it away for fear it might conceal a festering infection.

“I’m not ready to talk about it, Aiden.”

“It’s been seven years. When do you think you’ll be ready?”

A valid question.

As if reading her mind, Pippa stood up on the couch and whined, giving Sophie that look she knew so well.

“She has to go out. I should’ve thought about that. I can’t take her out there in this.”

Aiden pushed to his feet. “I set up something in the garage earlier. I’ll take her.”

Sophie wasn’t sure when Aiden had had time for that, but she was grateful. She set Pippa on the floor. “Thanks.”

“Come on, girl. Let’s go potty.”

The dog followed Aiden to the garage door.

Sophie sank into the sofa cushions, grateful for the reprieve, no matter how short. But when he returned she would have to relive the worst day of her life—whether she wanted to or not.

chapter eleven

Raleigh, North Carolina

Seven years ago

Sophie stared at the acceptance letter from Duke University. The euphoria she’d experienced upon retrieving it from the mailbox only hours before had been stomped out by the discovery she’d made upon entering her house.

She tucked the letter in her nightstand drawer, her little secret. Going to Duke, returning home on weekends, was no longer an option. She’d have to be here every day.