Page 21 of Love Like Ours

He knew that if he didn’t pull away now, he’d want to pick her up and carry her back to his room. He doubted either of them were prepared for that quick of a pace.

“Thanks for dinner. Again,” he said as he rested his forehead against hers.

“I’m glad I decided to bring it by.” She smiled at him. “Both for the benefit of seeing you in nothing but a towel and for this.”

He tilted his head. “Just so we’re clear, you aren’t interested in Max?”

She took a deep breath and shook her head. “No, right now I’m only interested in having you kiss me again like you just did. Soon.” She stood up suddenly and brushed a quick kiss across his lips. “But I’d better go. I hear you have another full day putting the Golden Oar back together tomorrow.”

He stood up and walked her to the door. “You’re going to see Max tomorrow?”

She nodded. “I really do want to see the inside of that lighthouse. I tried to break in to the place once. Right after we moved here.”

“Everyone’s tried to break into that place at least once.”

“You?”

He smiled. “More than once.”

“It would be awkward if I invited you tomorrow. But maybe I can convince him that if he has any work that needs to be done to the place…”

“Here.” He walked over and grabbed one of the business cards that his brother had printed up for him. “You can give him my card.”

She pocketed it and then sighed. “Night.”

“Night.” He kissed her again before watching her walk back to her car.

Loki whined when he shut the door as she drove away.

“I know, buddy. I miss her too.” He glanced around the small home and decided it was too empty. “How about a walk?”

Loki sprang into action, dancing around as he gathered his shoes, a jacket, and the leash. The chilly night air did wonders to clear his mind. At least until he saw the light from the lighthouse.

Why did the man have to move into his town? He didn’t doubt that Sophia wanted to be with him over Max. But he could tell that Max wasn’t a man who would step aside easily. He doubted he’d gotten so far in life by not always trying to win. The fear of Sophia changing her mind about wanting Max ate at him the entire walk. By the time they turned around and headed back down the beach towards home, snow was falling again.

He was completely chilled, and the moment he stepped inside, he peeled off his soaked clothes and took another hot shower to warm up.

The next morning, he had to call Parker and see if he could finish up at the Golden Oar without him, because he was running a fever and shaking uncontrollably.

“I’ll have Sara swing by with some soup for you today,” Parker suggested.

“No, don’t. I wouldn’t want to get her or the kids sick. I’ll order delivery from the store.”

He was freezing, so he cranked up a fire and then stood under the hot spray of the shower until his bones felt somewhat warm. He’d probably gotten sick from standing ankle deep in water the day before and then taking that long walk to clear Sophia’s kiss from his memory.

It was totally worth it, and he knew that he’d do it again if given the chance.

After the shower, he pulled on his warmest sweats and took his comforter into the living room. He lay on the sofa in front of the fireplace and watched the news until he fell asleep.

When he woke, he ordered a hot meal from the deli section of the grocery store and gobbled it down for lunch before crashing again.

He kept glancing over at the clock, knowing that Sophia would soon be heading over to the lighthouse to see Max, but his body pretty much shut down on him. He figured he needed the reprieve until the fever broke. He hoped that would happen soon so that he could get back to work and, most importantly, kiss Sophia again.