Page 46 of Tinder Embrace
"I'm not going to war," I said, scrunching my nose at the analogy.
"That's whatyouthink."
"Okay. Noted. Thanks."
"You can thank me by keeping me out of the middle of whatever this is.” She gestured to my flowers.
After packing Frick and Frack into my cat carrier, I drove to Sophie's.
I parked, frowning at her closed door from the front seat of my truck. Maybe I should have called first. I shook my head. Idefinitelyshould have called first.
"Davis?"
Sophie's voice outside my window startled me. She looked equally surprised to see me, dressed in workout clothes. The tight black leggings and sleek pink top accentuated every curve, and I wanted nothing more than to lick at the drop of sweat sliding down her collarbone and trace it to heaven. But I had to earn back that right.
Nerves clamped around my vocal cords, making it difficult to speak. Her aloof expression didn’t help. The tiny furrow between her brows and downturn to her sweet pink mouth emphasized how much I’d screwed up, texting her a lame cancellation. I missed my enthusiastic Sophie. The one who was always happy to see me, even when I was being a grumpy SOB.
I missed her smiles; I missed her teasing. I missed damn near everything about her.
If I couldn’t put her first due to farm obligations, I should have at least put her feelings ahead of my pride. A fresh wave of remorse washed through me. I could protest that I wasn’t used to considering anyone else’s feelings anymore, that I’d fallen out of practice, but the truth was I’d never picked up the knack. That needed to change.
Slowly, I slipped out of my truck.
Istood close enough to catch the mix of soap and salty tang of sweat mixing on her skin. She took a step back, and my heart stopped. I hated that she wanted to put more distance between us, when all I wanted to do was close that gap. I needed to hold her. That ache of longing when she hovered so close was nearly unbearable.
"I came by to apologize. Do you have a few minutes for me?" Maybe it was too blunt, but if I didn't get to the point quickly, she might politely shoo me away.
"I'm kind of a mess," she protested. "I just got back from a run."
Her breathing was pronounced, and a gentle sheen of sweat bathed her in a golden glow. She was beautiful.
"Please?"
She stared at me. Her eyes were impossibly wide, conveying a mix of hope and cautious optimism. "You can come in. I only need a minute to shower. Do you want some coffee?"
Relieved, I nodded. "Thanks. I'll be right behind you."
I circled the cab, grabbing Frick and Frack's carrier and the daffodils and following her inside.
"For me?"
I nodded, unable to speak around the lump in my throat. She looked taken aback.
I shook my head. Another indicator I'd been an asshole. I cleared my throat. "Go do what you need to. I know my way around a coffee maker."
She paused, seeming to weigh my offer before nodding. "I'll be right back."
She disappeared down the hall, and Frick and Frack mewled pitifully.
"I've gotta wait for permission to let you out," I soothed, setting their carrier carefully on the floor in her small kitchen. I placed the basket of flowers in the center of the table before exploring her cabinets for coffee beans and filters.
Sophie had added her own upbeat flair to the generic kitchen, bright yellow towels and potholders adding color to the small space. I grinned when I spotted the bee-shaped cookie jar. It reminded me of her balloon.
I set the coffee maker to percolate, pulling mugs and half-and-half from the fridge. Sophie had been gracious thus far. Not really a surprise, but the harder part of my visit was still to come. Apologizing for my mistakes had never come easy to me, but our dad had drilled Jo and me on the importance of owning up to our blunders early.
The coffee pot beeped, and I poured cups for Sophie and me, fixing hers how she liked it.
"Thanks," she said, slipping into the kitchen. Strands of wet hair clung to her rosy cheeks, and my breath caught. It was really unfair of her to be so beautiful when I had an apology to spit out.
