The song was winding down too quickly, the strains of the outro playing. Dig deep, Maddox. And fast. “I really am sorry I hurt you, Sophie.”
She gave him a placid smile and a small nod that did nothing to alleviate his guilt.
The last note of the song played out, and a faster rhythm rose to take its place. Sophie drew back, her hands sliding away. “I should go check on some things.”
“Wait, we’re not finished.”
“I think we are.” She turned to go.
He caught her hand gently. “Come on. I have to leave soon, and I don’t want to go with things unsettled between us.”
“Things have been unsettled for years, and it hasn’t seemed to bother you until now. But fine. If you need to hear you’re forgiven . . . you’re forgiven. It was a long time ago, and we were both young and stupid. Let’s leave it at that. I hope you have a safe trip home.”
He winced. He knew he’d been stupid, but hearing that Sophie considered herself the same for falling for him was a punch to the gut.
By the time he thought of something to say, it was too late. Sophie was making a beeline across the deck toward Mr. Drury. She coaxed him onto the dance floor.
At least it wasn’t Erik. But that knowledge was small comfort in light of the obvious resentment Sophie still harbored against him.
chapter four
The rest of the evening seemed to pass in fast-forward. Sophie danced with Mr. Drury, effectively confiscating his flask. But he was already wasted, and later he bumped into one of the bridesmaids, knocking her to the sand. Sophie smoothed things over and ushered Mr. Drury back to the dance floor before he could cause any more trouble.
From there she spotted her dad and Seth in a heated discussion down on the beach. She handed Mr. Drury over to his daughter, Grant’s mother, and went to head off the conflict.
Her dad was as desperate for Seth’s forgiveness as Seth was to avoid him, and Craig didn’t know when to quit. Sophie coaxed Seth back to the party while Sheila distracted their dad.
In the middle of it all she received a scolding from Granny May. “Why in heaven’s name were you dancing with that horrible boy?”
“It was just a dance, Granny.”
“What you need is a nice young man—and it so happens my friend Dora has an eligible grandson who—”
“No thank you.” She gave Granny’s arm a gentle squeeze, then excused herself.
She had no delusions that that was the end of it, however.
All through the evening she’d been aware of Aiden’s presence, on the dance floor, mingling with the groomsmen, chatting with the newlyweds. She was having a drink with Erik when she caught Aiden’s eye across the deck. He lifted a hand as he descended the deck stairs, giving her a sad little smile.
Sophie waved good-bye and went back to her conversation, refusing to dwell on the fact that Aiden was leaving and she might never see him again. It was for the best. When Erik asked for her number, she gladly gave it to him. He was nice and fun and easy to talk to, and apparently she needed a distraction.
The party wound down over the next hour, and finally it was time to see the newlyweds off. They were traveling to the Bahamas, which had narrowly escaped damage from the storm now heading their way.
Family and close friends gathered at the limo to see the lovebirds off. As Grant held the door, Sophie gave Jenna a long hug.
“I love you, honey.” The words didn’t do justice to all the emotions bubbling inside. “Have the most wonderful time.”
“Are you sure you don’t want help with the cleanup? Sheila and Granny May offered to stay.”
Sophie was too tired to deal with her father and Sheila or Granny’s aggressive matchmaking. “I’ve got all the time in the world.”
“If you’re sure. Thank you for all you’ve done. You’re the best sister a girl could ask for.”
Sophie drew back and palmed Jenna’s cheek. “Be happy.”
“I’ll make sure of it,” Grant said.
Sophie gave him a final hug, and as they slid into the car she called, “Let me know when you get there.”
The crowd cheered as the couple drove away, and Sophie blinked back happy tears as the taillights disappeared down Bayside Drive. Her baby sister was officially married.
More good-byes were said, and finally the last of the guests left. Sophie went back into the quiet house and released an anxious Pippa from the bedroom. The terrier bounced around, trembling with happiness to see her mama again.
“That wasn’t so bad, was it?”
Pippa whined pitifully and Sophie chuckled. “Well, it’s over now anyway.”
After changing into yoga pants and a T-shirt she took Pippa outside, lingering awhile since the poor darling had been cooped up.
Once she had Pippa settled inside again, Sophie began to set the place to rights, starting with the deck. A drizzle began as she was picking up the last of the trash. She’d take down the twinkle lights in the morning. According to the forecast it would rain for a while before the actual storm hit, so she’d have time to safeguard the house as well.
She thought of the big dead oak tree outside her bookshop and prayed it withstood the gale-force winds approaching. She couldn’t afford—and didn’t have time for—a damaged roof right now.
The caterers had cleared away the food and dishes, so there was only random trash in the house to deal with. When she was finished picking up, she carefully slid the furniture back into place.
It was almost midnight by the time Sophie fell into bed with a copy of She Means Business, trying to dredge up the excitement that had been building for months. Excitement about her new life and her new shop.
But the gloomy cloud that had been hanging over her the past few hours refused to budge. She tried to blame it on some kind of empty nest syndrome. Her family was gone and she was officially alone. But if she was honest, the sense of loss had begun before the crowd’s departure, before her sister’s departure even. It began the second Aiden Maddox raised his hand in good-bye.
Nonsense. He’d been out of her life for seven years now. They didn’t even live in the same state.
And yet . . .
Sophie gave her head a shake as she pulled Pippa close, snuggling her baby. “Well, sweet girl. I guess it’s just you and me now.”
* * *
Aiden needed something to distract him from thoughts of Sophie. From the memory of her guarded eyes and evasive manner. At least she’d returned his wave when he left instead of pretending she didn’t see him.
He settled into the seat at the airport gate and pulled out his earbuds. He had only himself to blame. He’d lived with his decision to leave her, but somehow coming face-to-face with the pain he’d caused her made it all fresh again. He’d spent the drive to the airport pondering why he ever left her.
Yes, the opportunity at Extreme Adventures had been an excellent one, and nobody loved the thrill of an adrenaline rush as much as he. But he loved Sophie and knew she couldn’t go to Charleston with him. He not only hurt her, he hurt himself. Even as busy as they were, getting the business off the ground, he was neck deep in heartache for months.
He was opening his favorite music app when a text came in from the airline. His stomach dropped as his eyes caught on the word canceled.