Page 6 of Love Like Ours

Chapter Two

Palmer stood outside of the restaurant, cursing himself for being so stupid. He should have walked in like ten minutes ago. No doubt his brother was already in there, waiting on him.

Sophia was there.

It had been a month since she’d returned home after her mother’s sudden death.

In that time, he’d done everything in his power to avoid seeing her. Not because he was embarrassed about anything from their past. Okay, so there were a few things he was embarrassed about, or at least should be.

No, he was afraid that if he saw her, he’d fall in love with her hard and fast. Again.

“Is there a problem here?” someone asked behind him.

He spun around and, in the process, lost his footing on a patch of ice. He reached out for something—anything—to steady himself. What he found was something soft, warm, and very much Sophia. The woman that had filled his mind for the past… lifetime.

“Hey,” she said, just as she too started to slip on the patch of ice.

“Steady,” he groaned and finally found purchase on a patch of dry sidewalk. Thankfully, he pulled her with him and held on until their movement stopped. “I’ve got you,” he said with a smile when she laughed.

Her dark hair was longer than the last time he’d seen her and had a few streaks of yellow—not blonde, but yellow. Somehow, it only made her look more attractive. She was wearing black pants, boots, and a heavy purple coat.

Her skin was flawless as usual. Her dark eyes ran over his face as she smiled up at him.

“I think that’s enough ice skating for me today,” she said with a chuckle. “You can let go now.”

“Do I have to?” he asked, then kicked himself for coming off creepy. He dropped his hold on her quickly.

“You’ve been standing out here for a while,” she pointed out, dusting the fresh snow from her jacket.

“Have I?” He frowned down at his shoes.

“Well, since I turned the corner, you’ve been just standing here.” She motioned to the spot where he’d been. “Afraid to go in?” She narrowed her eyes. “Do you have a blind date or something?”

“No,” he answered a little too quickly. “I’m meeting Parker for lunch.”

Her eyebrows shot up. “Are you two fighting?”

He shook his head. “No, we’re… He’s… I’m telling him that I passed my last test. I’m officially a contractor.”

She chuckled. “I thought you were already a contractor.”

“Licensed. Up until now, I’ve just been a grunt working for my brother. Now I’ll be able to take charge on job sites. Make decisions. That sort of thing.” He shrugged, feeling his face heat. “I finished my schooling, passed the test earlier this morning.” His chin rose slightly.

“Wow, congratulations.” She pushed a fist into his shoulder.

Such a friend move. He shrank back instantly.

“Thanks.” He glanced at the restaurant. “I thought you were working?”

“I will be, once I get in there. I’m a little late due to the snow. Good thing my boss isn’t an ass.” She laughed at her own joke.

“I’m keeping you.” He moved slightly towards the door and slipped on the ice again.

This time, Sophia reached out to steady him.

“How about we do this together?” she said, holding on to him.

He nodded and they made their way slowly across the icy sidewalk. Together.