“I told Ross today . . . I’m going to do it. I’m taking him up on his offer. I get to be his partner in this, Sophie. I don’t have to invest money or anything—my part’s all sweat equity because I’m bringing a lot of experience to the business. We’re signing papers later today. It’s going to happen fast because he wants to be up and running by spring break.”

“You’re leaving?”

Aiden blinked at her, some of the joy slipping from his face. “Hey, Jelly Bean . . . Don’t be sad. I know Charleston’s a bit of a drive—”

“Four hours!”

“—but this is a great opportunity. How can I pass it up? This is a chance to be a business owner, and it won’t cost me a dime.”

“I—I thought you were going to take over your dad’s company someday.” He’d mentioned it a time or two. They’d settle here and raise a family. A band tightened around her throat.

“Aw, you know that’s not really my thing. I mean, I can roof as well as the next guy, but the thought of doing it for the rest of my life? It doesn’t exactly ring any bells, you know? And we barely get by on the profits. I want more than that for my life.”

Sophie gave her head a shake. She couldn’t believe this was happening. Or that he was so excited to be—to be leaving her. She’d thought they were spending the rest of their lives together. They hadn’t talked about it in great detail, but the subject had come up a time or two.

“I thought we were—” She swallowed hard and forced the words out. “I thought you loved me.”

He squeezed her hand. “Ah, honey, I do love you. Come on, Soph, be happy for me. It’s only a few hours’ drive. You can visit me all the time. Maybe even move down there after graduation. There are some good schools there.”

She jerked her hand from his. There was so much wrong with what he’d said she hardly knew where to start. “I can’t move there, Aiden.”

Especially not now. She opened her mouth to tell him all about her dad’s desertion. About how she had to stay in Raleigh now and be her mother’s primary caregiver, possibly for years. Hopefully for years.

But the look on his face told her that wouldn’t matter. Nothing she said would change his mind about leaving. And she wasn’t going to beg him—or guilt him—into staying. She had her pride.

“Try to understand,” he said. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Hitching my future to Ross’s wagon is smart. He’s successful in everything he does—he’s a freaking millionaire. And he wants me.”