And then he’d dumped her for a job opportunity. His smile fell as he rose from his chair, suddenly needing to be beside her.

*  *  *

Sophie tensed as the cushion beside her sank under Aiden’s weight. She withdrew her hand from Pippa and set it in her lap.

He seemed regretful, and part of her was glad for that. But his contrition also made her more vulnerable. She’d always been so vulnerable to him.

He set his hand on hers, his gaze piercing hers. He could make her feel so many things with just a touch—and she was feeling them all right now. Remembering how in love with him she’d been. How hurt she was when he left. How long it had taken to get over him.

She had gotten over him, hadn’t she? It was hard to tell when he was looking at her like this.

“I was such an idiot,” he said. “I went over to your house high on myself because somebody believed in me. And I hurt the person who’d always believed in me the most. I don’t know what I was thinking.”

“You were thinking I’d give up all my dreams to follow you.”

A frown creased his brow. “I don’t think I ever believed that. I knew how much Duke meant to you. And I knew you wouldn’t move so far away from your mom.”

Sophie pulled her hand from his and lifted Pippa onto her lap. She needed comfort—and a buffer.

Neither of them spoke for a moment. Rain battered the roof. The shutters clattered. Somewhere in the distance a siren sounded.

“I did love you, Sophie. I hope you believe that.”

Just not enough. She tried for a smile. “It’s okay, Aiden.”

“I didn’t deserve you, you know. I didn’t deserve a girl who’d given up all her dreams to take care of her siblings and her dying mother. I was far too selfish to ever do that.”

Sophie remembered all the times she’d felt used up. The times she’d been resentful, like when Seth left for college and when Jenna went out on weekend nights with her friends. All of Sophie’s friends had gone off to college and gradually drifted away. “Don’t give me too much credit. I’m plenty selfish.”

“That’s not the way I see you. And I doubt that’s the way anyone else sees you either. But, Sophie . . .” he said gently, eyes softening on her. “You should’ve told me about your dad leaving that day. I might not have done anything differently, but you didn’t even give me the option of changing my mind.”

He was right. Not telling him had been her choice. Maybe he wouldn’t have done anything differently, but she hadn’t given him the chance to find out.

“You’re right. I’m sorry.”