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“Thank you.”
It’s funny because Linda doesn’t actually live at Misty Lakes anymore. It belongs to her ex-husband, Rupert, and he lives there with his third wife, Julia, and their baby. And yet there’s this whole family vibe going on. Linda, and Rupert’s other ex wife, Deandra, are best friends and they’re close with Julia, too.
Whenever there’s a family party they’re always together. And if I’m being honest, I’m a little bit envious of their big family. Being an only child and having lost my mom, it’s so nice to watch them all come together and have fun.
We end the conversation and I put my phone down, walking into the kitchen to check on dinner. I agonized over what to make. I’m not as good of a cook as Liam but I’m also not terrible like Ava. I can follow a recipe but I can’t add any flair.
And yet there’s still a part of me that’s excited to cook for him. I don’t often get to do this for anybody other than my dad. So I check on the chicken and potatoes and quickly set the table in my little kitchen, adding two wine glasses because I think I might need some Dutch courage.
It’s two minutes before eight when the intercom buzzes. I walk to the hall and check my appearance in the mirror – passable – then press the intercom button.
“Hello?”
“It’s me.”
My muscles do a weird clench. I hit the door release. “Come on up.”
It takes less than a minute for him to take the elevator up to the third floor and knock on my door.
When I pull open the door, he looks even better than I remember. He’s wearing a gray suit and a white shirt, no tie, and his hair is mussed like he’s been raking his fingers through it. His eyes catch mine and he smiles.
And I know I’m done for.
“Hi,” I whisper.
“Hi.” His smile widens. “Are you gonna let me in or would you prefer that I stay in the hallway?”
Oh God, what a way to start. I step aside and invite him in, and the smell of his cologne fills my senses.
“How was your flight?” I ask him.
“It was passable. I managed to get some work done.” He watches as I close the door before he cups my face with his warm palm. “You look beautiful.” He leans down to give me the briefest of kisses. Little more than a feather of his lips against mine.
And yet it sets me on fire.
“You look pretty good, too,” I tell him, tipping my head so he follows me to the kitchen. “No bag?”
“Hmm?”
“Didn’t you pack a suitcase for tonight?” I grab the wine from the refrigerator. I splurged on this one, knowing that Liam is used to the best.
“I brought a carry on. It’s in the car.”
Oh. So he’s not staying. I try to hide my dismay. “I guess you won’t want any wine then.”
He curls his fingers around my chin and tips my head until I’m looking at him. His brows knit. “Are you upset that I’m not staying?”
“No.” I shake my head. “I just… I don’t know. Assumed you would.”
He nods. “And I didn’t want to assume. My bag is in my car, Sophie. If I need it I’ll get it, okay?”
My chest feels full. Like I’ve breathed in way too much air and have no way of exhaling it. “I want you to get it,” I tell him. He’s still holding my chin, his thumb caressing my jawline.
“Thank you,” he says.
“What for?”
“For saying what you want. For being honest. I needed that tonight.” The oven beeps and I remember the chicken.
