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CHAPTER23
Nick sped up the hill to his house; his vision clouded with red. Pain.
Disbelief. Anger.
Last night, a flash of inspiration for the perfect proposal had come to him. Thrilled, eager like a little kid the night before Christmas, impatient to move forward, he’d decided to drop by and suggest the romantic trip to her in person.Idiot.
He’d reserved a romantic suite at his favorite winery in Paso Robles and arranged an afternoon of wine tasting, spa treatments, and an intimate dinner. After the perfect evening, he’d planned on waking up the next morning for a walk through the vines, where he’d propose. Sophie loved Paso and waiting until the morning to drop down onto bended knee would maintain an element of surprise.
Last night it had felt brilliant. Now? Not so much.
He parked in front of his house and smacked his hand on the steering wheel.Shit.
Rather than surprising Sophie with a sexy morning interlude, and telling her to pack an overnight bag, he’d been dumped.
Or duped. The ostentatious red sports car screeching down the road had been unusual but he hadn’t suspected anything until he saw Sophie huddled in the doorway. He’d immediately tucked his emotions into the vault––the same way he learned when his parents died. The only example of true love he’d seen was between his parents.
They’d been killed at a young age—robbed of their happily ever after. He’d vowed to never allow anyone close enough to rip his heart out the way it had been when they had died. Until Sophie, he’d never considered softening his stance.
No woman had ever impacted him the way Sophie did. Then she was asking for a break, confessing that the jerk in the sportscar was the guy who’d bailed on her? She’d warned him she wasn’t ready for a relationship, and he just couldn’t listen. Even though he’d feared being the rebound guy and despite a persistent tingling in his gut, he’d forged ahead. Convinced he could change her mind.Cocky idiot.
Yeah, his first foray into love and commitment had been a disaster. Trusting her to be over her ex had been foolish. His own damn fault. And right now? He didn’t want to hear her explanations. This time he’d listen to what she said first––she wanted a break and he’d give her one.
What a joke. Here he’d trotted up to LA and bought a ring, eager to get married, have a family, and build a life with her. Nick stormed into his empty house. Something cracked in his chest, and the overwhelming urge to get away flooded him. Get far away.
He needed to get the hell out of Laguna. He’d go to Kauai and surf for a few days. Lose himself in the ocean, push the reset button.
Bury the last month and all things Sophie Barnes away. Take a break, return and focus on work. Hell, he had more reason to fire Heather now if she had indeed given out Sophie’s address. Finding a new office manager would take some time. But he’d deal with that nightmare later.
Brandt had been spot on in his assessment that he was nuts to get consider getting married. Staying unencumbered was safer. Easier. Maybe there’d be a little beach bunny in Kauai to help him drown his sorrows.
Although, for once, the concept held no appeal.
CHAPTER24
Where was he? Sophie shoved her hair away from her face and stared at her phone’s dark screen. Nick hadn’t responded to any of her texts and her phone calls went straight to voicemail. Almost twenty-four hours had passed since the scene at her cottage.
She had to clear the air. And make sure he believed her that he wasn’t a rebound. Convince him her snap decision to take a break was a mistake. Yeah, she’d made that decision as a reaction to the confrontation with Doug. The minute she’d uttered the words, she’d wished she could take them back.
After a sleepless night, urgency drove her. She had to retract those words. See if they could start fresh, despite her blowing hot and cold. So much for giving him some space.
On the drive up to Nick’s house, her entire body trembled. Despite the California sunshine, she was shivering, as if she were traversing the frozen tundra of Antarctica instead of a driveway in Southern California. She took long, slow breaths to soothe her nervous system.
But her yoga breathing wasn’t helping her nerves. If she was going to reassure Nick, she needed to maintain her composure.
When she pulled into his circular driveway, it was deserted. But he kept his cars in the garage. Maybe he was home. Ready to kiss and make-up. She snorted––unlikely. Although maybe he’d hear her out.
She stepped out of the car, squared her shoulders, and knocked on the front door.
Silence.
No wild barking. Not a peep from Bailey. Not a great sign. She banged again, but no giant dog and no Nick.Crap.
Once again, her life was messed up because of Doug. But even if Nick had zero desire to be involved with her now. She needed to assure Nick nothing had happened with her ex. He might not want to date her anymore but at least he’d know the truth.
So, off to his office she’d go. Where else would he be with his dog?
After navigating traffic on PCH, she parked in front of Morgan Designs despite not seeing his car.Please don’t let Heather be here. The last thing she needed was that woman as her welcoming committee.
