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“I know,” she told him with a smile. “See you Sunday.”
Once he was gone, Sophie sank back against her desk. The notes and pictures, drawings and dreams Chelsea had poured into two thick binders were going to become a reality.
The fact that hardheaded, impenetrable Zach had really thought this through said so much about the man he kept hidden from the world. He might want to keep people far outside the perimeter of that wall he’d erected around himself, but Sophie knew, deep down, there was a man with feelings. Knowing that Zach had a passion for something gave Sophie hope.
Zach had once been reckless, but he’d been full of life and they’d been friends. She wanted that back. Wanted to be close with all three men, as she used to be before the car accident that left her scarred, handicapped, and infertile. Before Liam had been injured and had pushed Zach out of his life.
Before Zach had been arrested for aggravated vehicular assault and sent to prison for a year.
But how could they possibly find their way back after all this time?
Placing the ever-pressing thoughts on the back burner, Sophie turned and reached for her cell. Right now she needed to call the other man in her life and break the bad news to him.
Letting this relationship go on this long had been a mistake. Being comfortable with someone, dating someone because that’s what was expected of you, was completely wrong.
And everything about Zach felt deliciously right.
* * *
“I have a surprise for you.”
With her arm linked through Martin’s, Sophie glanced up at him. “What is it?”
They exited the restaurant after a romantic meal complete with candlelight, a trickling waterfall in the distance, and the most amazing meal she’d ever had.
They walked arm in arm down the narrow street with old-fashioned lampposts giving off a soft glow. The gentle breeze slid her knee-length skirt around her thighs and set
her hair dancing about her shoulders. Martin steered her toward the bench nestled between two oversized ceramic pots overflowing with greenery and a pop of color from spring flowers.
When Sophie sat, Martin moved in right beside her and kept hold of her hands. “First of all, I want you to know I’m not upset about the property. I realize I came off as gruff with you yesterday. I think I was just more surprised than anything.”
Sophie hadn’t taken offense. She’d known he wanted that piece on Sunset Lake for the town. Actually, she’d still been reeling from the excitement of Braxton’s news about the plans to move forward with a resort. Martin’s tone hadn’t even entered her mind. He’d been understandably frustrated.
She also hadn’t said a word to him about Zach and Braxton’s plans. What went on now with Chelsea’s home was private and nobody’s business until the Monroe boys were ready to disclose the information.
“I know how much you all wanted it.” Sophie was well aware, but she didn’t want to get into this with him. “Let’s not discuss business. Okay?”
Martin chuckled. “You’ve read my mind. I have much more important things to talk about.”
Sophie glanced down at their joined hands and his perfectly neat nails, not a callus in sight. The man exuded office mogul. Whereas Zach’s hands were damaged, rough.
Stop it. Why did she have to keep circling back to Zach? She was on a date with the man she’d been seeing for a while. A man who embodied everything she was brought up to look for in a man and someone she was comfortable with.
Zach made her feel anything but comfortable. Yet, she couldn’t let this go on much longer. Martin wasn’t the one for her. Who wanted to just be comfortable the rest of their lives? Guilt gnawed at her because Martin deserved to know exactly how she felt.
“I know we have such crazy schedules, and it’s taken its toll on you, on our relationship.”
He shifted so she had to lift her head and look directly into his face. With dark chocolate eyes, light brown hair that would turn blonder in the summer, Martin was a very handsome man. Very polished, but his career demanded perfection.
“Our jobs have taken a toll on our social time,” she agreed. “I know you’re busy and my career can be insane at times too. It’s out of our control.”
“Which is why I’ve booked us a room at a bed-and-breakfast in two weeks. A three-day getaway is what we need. We’ll leave work behind and worry about nothing.”
Sophie’s heart kicked up—and not in a good way. Go away with him for an entire weekend? They hadn’t slept together yet. She was always hesitant to let anyone see her scars. She wasn’t ashamed of her body, but there was still that level of intimacy that went beyond the act of having sex by exposing her most vulnerable part.
“I have to say I’m shocked.” She turned her head, meeting his brown eyes. “I didn’t know you were planning on taking me away anywhere.”
Martin wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her into his side. “It was a last-minute decision and I was fortunate enough to have connections to get us a reservation.”
