Seventeen
Sophie stared at her sketch pad and what she’d laid out so far, then she stared back at the nearly completed room. The architect and contractor had done a marvelous job of restoring the burnt portion of the clubhouse. Now she was trying to find a way to keep the decor true to the rest of the clubhouse, plus add in some special touches to really celebrate the reopening of this wing.
“Looks like some things still need decorated.”
Sophie nearly dropped her sketch pad as she spun around at the familiar voice. “Nigel,” she gasped. “What are you doing here?”
He casually leaned against the doorway that had yet to be trimmed. With a gray T-shirt and worn jeans and even a pair of cowboy boots, he fit in perfectly. She’d never seen him in boots and she couldn’t help but smile.
“Are you relocating to Texas?” she asked, nodding to his new attire.
With his hands in his pockets, he shrugged. “I figured I should at least try to look the part. I draw the line at the hat, though.”
How could he have her smiling when looking at him hurt so much? But as conflicted as she felt, she knew he was here for a reason. She only hoped she was that reason.
“Did you come here looking for me or are you filming in Royal again?” she asked, unable to stand the anticipation.
“Maybe both,” he replied.
Nigel pushed away from the door and took a slow walk around the open space. He didn’t say a word as he continued to survey everything...which consisted of drywall, paint cans and etched glass windows.
Maybe he’d come to drive her crazy and make her pay for what she’d done to him. Although, she didn’t know how much more she could suffer because living without him had been pure hell these past few days.
“I hear you’re doing the decorating,” he finally said as he focused his attention back to her.
Sophie clutched her pad to her chest. “I am. I wouldn’t trust this to anyone else.”
“I’ve seen your videos—you’re good at what you do,” he replied. “They’re lucky to have such talent.”
Stunned at his accolades, Sophie simply said, “Thanks.”
Nigel took one step, then another, until he came to stand within inches of her. His eyes roamed over her face, her hair, before landing on her eyes.
“You dyed your hair back,” he murmured, reaching out to smooth a strand behind her ear.
Sophie shivered at his touch and leaned in just enough to feel his warmth. “I wanted to get back to myself now that I’m home.”
She didn’t know how long they were going to do this small talk and dance around the proverbial elephant in the room. Seeing him again only reminded her of all that she’d had that she’d then thrown away...not that she’d thought of anything else since returning to Royal.
“I like this better,” he told her as he dropped his hand, but didn’t take a step back.
The familiar woodsy scent of his cologne enveloped her, making her recall laying against his chest and sleeping when they were in England. Making her remember when he’d first wrapped her in his jacket on that snowy night.
So many memories made in such a short time. Nigel had packed such a powerful impact on her life and embedded himself so deeply into her heart.
“Why are you here?” she asked, unable to stand the silence and the nerves eating away at her.
“I’m here for you.”
Fear ebbed away as hope flowed in. Sophie wanted to reach for him, but she needed to hear what he had to say. What had made him come all the way here instead of calling or texting? What happened in the five days after she’d left?
Because since she’d been back, all she’d thought of was where she could’ve righted her wrongs. But once she was caught in that downward spiral, she’d been completely out of control and she’d had no way to stop.
“I got a call from Miranda,” he added.
Sophie blinked. “Miranda? What did she call you about?”
“You. She came to your defense without hesitation.”