“But neither is this—is it?”

“It’s not you, Tiffany. I like you a lot. You’re fun to be with, and I’ve enjoyed the time we’ve spent together.”

Her laugh held no humor. “It feels like you should’ve known that weeks ago.”

He’d been hoping something would kick in. Something to make him feel the way he used to with Sophie. He saw now that he’d hung on too long and had led Tiffany on in the process.

“I probably should’ve. I’m sorry for that. And I’m sorry you drove all this way only to—”

“Get dumped?”

He took her hand. “I’d still like to be your friend. We have a lot in common. We have fun together.”

She withdrew her hand and turned back toward the house. “I don’t think of you as a friend, Aiden,” she said without malice.

He followed, wincing. A girl had never broken up with him, so he couldn’t know how that kind of rejection felt. But he’d always hated breaking someone else’s heart. Experience had taught him there was nothing he could say or do to make Tiffany feel better right now.

“It’s too late to drive back tonight. You’re welcome to stay at the house.”

“No offense, Aiden, but this is the last place I want to be right now.”

The rest of the walk was quiet. When they reached the property, they picked up their shoes and carried them through the yard and around to the front.

When they reached her car he opened the door for her.

She lifted her chin. “We still have to work together.”

“I hope it won’t be too . . .” He struggled to find the right word.

“Right. Me too.” She gave him a tight smile and got into the car without another word.

chapter twenty-six

Shortly after Sophie entered the house her phone rang. Joshua’s name appeared on the screen. With her growing feelings for Aiden, she’d been avoiding the man. She’d let yesterday’s call go unanswered and responded only briefly to his text today. He knew she was busy with the store, after all.

But on the third buzz she looked through the sliding glass door toward the beach. Somewhere in the darkness, Aiden walked with his girlfriend.

She accepted the call before it went to voice mail. “Hi, Joshua.”

“Sophie. I hope I’m not calling too late.”

“Not at all. I just got home, actually. How are you?”

“Fine. Busy with the residency. How goes the shop? Are you back on schedule yet?”

“Almost. We’re really cutting it close, but I think we’re going to make it.” She’d informed him a friend from high school was helping.

“And how’s your ankle? Still hobbling around on crutches?”