He nodded, but she could tell he still had a cloud hanging over him. He hadn’t forgiven himself for leaving without a backward glance. Sophie wanted to give him the release he longed for, but she was also afraid to remove that last barrier. It was the only thing keeping her safe from him.

That and the girlfriend. And the fact that he’d be leaving as soon as the last raindrop fell.

Also problematic: She wasn’t angry with him anymore. He’d been so young, and even if he didn’t realize it, the depth of his feelings had probably scared him. She knew what abandonment did to a person. There was a reason she hadn’t fallen for anyone else after him. People left. No one knew that better than her.

“I really am sorry, Sophie.”

She gave him a smile that wasn’t all that hard to dredge up. “Don’t worry, Aiden. I forgive you.”

His features went soft in the candlelight. But a moment later he lifted an impish brow. “Thought you already forgave me.”

Remembering the dismissive words she’d thrown at him during their dance, she smiled. “Yeah, well, this time I mean it.”

His eyes swept over her face. He nudged her shoulder. “Thank you.”

She nudged his back. “You’re welcome.”

A long, quiet moment passed between them.

Then his lips turned up in that cocky half smile she used to love. “Do you think the Fosters still keep that cabinet full of old-school games?”

“I happen to know for a fact that they do.”

chapter thirteen

Aiden pouted. “The popper’s broken.”

Sophie rolled her eyes at his antics. He’d always been a sore loser. “It is not. The dice jumped, and you’re going home. Sorry.”

“You’re not sorry.” He eyed Sophie as she moved his red piece back home. “You’re enjoying this.”

“Well, you killed me at Yahtzee so, yes, a little bit.”

He hit the pop-die but didn’t get the number he needed, so he deferred to her.

Sophie got a “two” and moved her last remaining blue piece. The rain still pattered on the roof overhead. Over the past couple hours the house had grown warm and stifling.

“So, have you stayed here a lot with Grant and his family?” Sophie asked.

“Couple times. It’s a nice getaway, and they don’t use it much during the week.”

“Beautiful place. It was nice of them to let me stay while I get my shop up and running. I sure hope I get it open in time.”

“There’s some kind of deadline?”

“Have you heard of Nathaniel Quinn, the author?”

“He’s had a couple books adapted into movies, hasn’t he?”