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“Sophia. Wait. I didn’t mean to offend you.”
She paused at the back gate, keying in the code. “And you didn’t. You’re right. I’m the professional dog walker. Barista. Wannabe screen writer. It’s probably best I remember that.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing.” She shook her head, and the gate sprang open. Pongo, eager for his run, strained against the leash. “Pongo, heel.”
Pongo whined, his whole body vibrating with tension, but still he took a step away from the open gate to wait next to Sophia.
“What the… How did you do that?” Pongo always strained against his leash at the beginning of a walk, especially at the beach.
“I’m the professional, remember?” Her smile twisted like it wasn’t a compliment when she said it. “Come on, Pongo.”
They stepped through the gate and onto the beach, leaving me standing there alone.
Like a fool.
Because I sure as hell felt like one.
How did I go from getting her all flustered to pissing her off? And what the hell could I do to fix it? Because I had to. For King. And Zoe.
“Sophia. Wait up!” I called down the beach. While I’d been debating how to regain control, they’d walked a good twenty yards away. Sophia was bent down to unclasp his leash again since we were mostly alone on the beach. A few people walking way down the way.
No photogs in sight. Dammit. So much for my failsafe.
Still, I had to make this right with her.
I jogged over to her and grabbed her hand. “I’m sorry.”
“I told you, there’s nothing to apologize for.” She tried to pull her hand away, but I wouldn’t let her.
“Yes. There is. I know I acted like an ass and made you feel less than. That wasn’t my intention, but that doesn’t matter. I won’t do it again. I mean it.”
“Whoa,” she whispered under her breath, but I still heard her. “Um, okay. Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.” I raised my eyebrows. “I imagine you have some questions. That is, if you’re still open to talking to me?”
“I do.” She closed her eyes with a wince. “I mean, I do have some questions. Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.” My lips twitched, aching to smile, but I didn’t want her thinking I was making fun of her again, so I battled it back. “Fire away.”
“Okay. Um, how did you know I wrote screenplays?”
Still holding her hand, because I was going to play up every advantage I had, I tugged her so we could follow Pongo. Walking hand in hand on the beach. And I had no problem ignoring the zing of attraction I still felt for her. If I’d learned anything in Hollywood, it was that chemistry was fleeting. Keeping your eye on the ball was the most important thing.
Speaking of, I darted a quick glance around the beach, but I still didn’t see even a glint from a camera lens.
I cleared my throat. “Your background check included your membership in a few writing organizations and social media groups you’re a part of.”
“Oh. Right. I guess that makes sense.”
Her hand went lax in mine, and I wondered if I missed some hidden message. I gave her hand a squeeze and tugged her a little closer to me. “So, what do you write? What’s your genre?”
She gave a soft laugh and looked anywhere but at me. “I’m all over the place. I’ve written a few rom-coms, but they’re not anything wow worthy. Might be due to my lackluster love life. And oh my god, I can’t believe I just told you that.”
She tried to pull her hand away, but I wouldn’t let her go. And she still wouldn’t look at me. Finally, with a huff, she looked up at me with her doe eyes.
“I find that really hard to believe.”
