Chapter Six

Sophie woke up with a start. She kicked her legs to untangle the sheets entwined around her sweaty legs. Blinking the sleep away, she reached out toward the other side of the bed before she could stop herself.

Empty—big surprise.

A dream.

Just a dream.

She wanted to hit replay. She’d been pressed up against the shower wall, hot, steamy water coursing down her body, as Nick made passionate love to her. No wonder she was burning up. She could still feel her legs wrapped around his waist and his teeth grazing her neck… It had seemed so real.

Shaking off the dream and her sheets, she rose and headed to the kitchen to make coffee. She’d take Bailey for a walk. Or as the older gentleman pruning his bougainvillea had called out on yesterday’s walk, “Miss, who’s walking who?” She’d laughed because clearly Bailey was in charge. Only problem—having Nick’s dog around caused her to fixate on him more.

Zack accepted Bailey as a new companion, judging by how they’d snuggled together at the foot of the bed the night before. Lucky Zack. At least someone was cuddling.

Now she was jealous of her cat. Time to escape from her obsessive thoughts about Nick and spin that energy into her book’s hero. Maybe she could use that racy dream in a love scene.

****

Sophie’s phone buzzed, alerting her via text that Kelly was driving up to the cottage. She ran out the door and greeted her friend as Kelly parked her cute pearly-white hatchback.

“You weren’t exaggerating how beautiful it is here,” Kelly said, wrapping her in a big bear hug.

“Isn’t it? Just like you. You look amazing. I’m so happy you’re here.” She pulled back and admired her best friend’s long beachy waves, golden skin, and exotic caramel-colored eyes. She looked adorable in a pair of low-slung cargoes, a camouflage T-shirt, and flip-flops.

Sophie grabbed Kelly’s hand and dragged her toward the cottage, eager to show off her new nest.

Bailey rushed out the open door and plowed into Kelly, who staggered backward. The dog jumped up, wagging her tail, and started licking her face. Kelly laughed.

“Bailey, Bailey, get down!” Sophie attempted to pull the dog off Kelly before the dog toppled her.

“Um…when did you get a dog?” Kelly arched a brow.

“Oh, I am just watching her for…um…for a friend. I mean for my landlord.” Was this halting speech becoming a new habit?

“Really?”

“It’s nothing, really. His sister, Alyssa, who is great by the way, was supposed to watch her, but they crossed wires. I just happened to be there when they realized that. It’s not a big deal.” She shrugged nonchalantly as she reached for Kelly’s weekend bag. She’d play it cool so Kelly wouldn’t suspect something was up.

“Okay. Dogs are fun. Anyway, I’ve been so worried. You look tired.” Kelly’s brow creased with concern.

“Thanks so much. Just what I wanted to hear. I just had some restless dreams. Let’s go inside and catch up over tea.”

“Tea? I don’t want tea. I think we need to open a bottle of wine.” Kelly trailed behind her into the cottage.

“Sure. It’s five o’clock somewhere, right? I’ve got your favorite pinot grigio in the fridge. Does that work?” Seeing Kelly made Sophie realize how much she’d missed her best friend.

“Definitely. This place is really great. How’s the writing going?” Kelly glanced around the cottage as they made their way into the kitchen.

“I actually just spent the last two hours and, oh, let’s call it, forty-two minutes and thirty-six seconds writing. Once I force myself to sit and write, it flows. It’s definitely different than writing magazine articles. But I think I love this. I hope so. Geez, I’m rambling, aren’t I?” She uncorked the wine and grabbed two glasses.

“No, I love to hear it. Are you okay with taking a break and stopping the writing for the day, or should I give you some more time?”

“Absolutely. I achieved my daily goal. Let’s catch up. I want to hear all about what’s happening in San Diego, with you, with Robert…”

They meandered into the living room and settled down on the couch. Immediately, Zack jumped up to snuggle with them. Bailey flopped down on the rug, eager to join the party. Sophie tucked her legs up underneath her and smiled.

“So why do you look so wiped out? Are you still losing sleep over Doug?” Kelly asked.

“No, he actually hasn’t been on my mind. Less and less each day.” She shook her head.

Was that the understatement of the century? She didn’t want to share her obsession with getting naked with her landlord. Kelly knew her too well, and she wasn’t ready to begin analyzing her feelings for Nick.

“Okay, are you sure you want to stay? I’m sure you could get your job back and at least have financial security.” Kelly didn’t look convinced.

“No way. You know that job almost drove me to a nervous breakdown. Besides, I’ve always wanted to be a writer and I’ve got my savings. I need to go after my dream. Doug’s betrayal was just the universal boot. I love my cottage, I’ve got Zack to cuddle with, and I know I can write this novel.” Her spine straightened as she realized she spoke the truth.

“Are you okay on money?”

Sophie huffed out a sigh. “I’m not rich, but I won’t starve. I’ve got enough to live on, okay?” Not having a regular paycheck didn’t bother her one bit.

“I’m sorry—you’ve been through so much with your family and now Doug. You’re one of the strongest, bravest people I know, but you’ve had a rough few months.” Kelly patted Sophie’s leg.

“Thanks, but can we drop it? Please? We’ll have a great time this weekend. We can find some great restaurants and explore some of Laguna’s art galleries.”

“You haven’t even been out to a restaurant yet?”

“Well, not exactly…” Sophie bit her lip, annoyed she’d almost launched into a story about Nick.

“Not exactly? What does that mean?” Kelly’s eyes widened.

“Never mind. Tell me about what’s going on with you.” Sophie gulped more wine.

“Well, I was going to wait to bring this up, but we may as well get it out of the way. It’s about Doug.” Kelly’s expression darkened.

“Oh, screw him. I don’t want to give him any more airtime. He doesn’t deserve it.” She slammed her wineglass down, splashing the golden liquid onto the table.

“I think you need to hear this, just so you’re prepared.”

“Okay.” She didn’t like how grave Kelly’s expression had become. Why the hell couldn’t Doug just slither back under some rock, where he belonged? Hadn’t he done enough damage?

“Remember when I told you he was asking about where you were and saying he had to speak with you?”

Sophie nodded, wiping her now-damp palms on her yoga pants.

“So Elizabeth told me he went by the magazine last week and demanded your address, claiming it was urgent he reach you. That he’d contacted your mom who refused to speak to him. He tried to pull this contrite, humble facade that he wanted to apologize. She wouldn’t give it to him, but it worries me that he’s going to find you. You’re isolated up here. What if he shows up on your doorstep?”

“First of all, why does he want to see me? He rejected me. He cheated on me for months.” Sophie surged to her feet, her head beginning to pound as she stalked around the living room. “He humiliated me. Does he really think I’d take him back? I never want to see his lying face again.”

“I’m worried. He’s always been a control freak and seems to be going nuts knowing you’re gone. Do you want me to call and threaten him with a restraining order? I’m happy to do it.” Her maid of honor for the ill-fated wedding that never was gestured with her wineglass. “In fact, I’d love to do it.”

Sophie shrugged, returned to the couch for her glass. She took a long drink of the pale, straw-colored wine, savoring the crisp flavor, trying to cleanse the bad taste the thought of her ex literally put in her mouth.

“No, forget him. You know I couldn’t get a restraining order at this point anyway. I can’t imagine he’d get violent. No more Doug. Tell me what’s going on with you. How’s Robert?”

Now Kelly frowned. “Well, actually, nothing is going on with him.”

“Nothing?”

Kelly’s golden complexion had paled, and she wrung her hands. Was there a problem with her boyfriend Robert?

“Things are weird right now between us, and I’m not ready to talk about it. Let’s just pretend those San Diego men don’t exist, okay?” Kelly reached for the wine bottle.

Pouring more wine into their glasses, she steered the discussion to more neutral ground as she updated Sophie on her job at her parents’ law firm and their mutual friends in San Diego. She reiterated that Elizabeth, Sophie’s former boss, had mentioned she’d take her back in a heartbeat.

“Of course, Elizabeth wants me back. I did my job and hers as well for too many years.” Sophie refused to lose herself in the corporate grind again.

Or to be used by anyone again.

“I hear you. My career needs a change too—I wish I could do something creative like you.” Kelly sighed. “Oh well, someone has to be the boring one.”

Zack meowed and leapt gracefully off the couch with Bailey hot on his heels, barking like a maniac. They raced toward the front door. A loud knock at the door jolted Sophie out of her seat.

“Oh my God, you don’t think it’s Doug, do you?” Kelly jumped up from the couch, one hand at her throat.

“Don’t be silly. We’re just getting worked up about nothing,” Sophie answered, struggling to sound convincing.

Forcing herself not to run, she strolled to the door and glanced through the peephole.

“Crap.” Sophie muttered under her breath. Squaring her shoulders, she opened the door.

“Nick? I thought you were gone until tonight.” She sucked in a huge breath and prayed she didn’t have a giant neon sign on her forehead flashing “jump my bones, hottie.”

She had barely uttered the words before Bailey barreled past her, almost knocking her over to reach her dad. If Bailey wanted something, apparently she had no problem going for it.

“Bailey, manners!” As usual, Nick’s huge dog ignored him and covered him with kisses.

“Wow, she definitely missed you.” Sophie laughed, momentarily forgetting she’d decided against a fling with him. Despite her jumping him the last time they were together. And dreaming about him.

She was no better than Bailey.

Now she envied his dog for kissing him. Oh, she was in trouble.

“Hi, beautiful.” Nick leaned in and pressed a light kiss on her now-flaming cheek.

“Um, Sophie?” Kelly gestured in Nick’s direction.

“Oh, sorry. Kelly, this is Bailey’s dad, Nick Morgan, my landlord.” She stepped away from him, striving to sound nonchalant. Crap, now she’d have to admit he wasn’t just her landlord.

“Hi, Kelly. That’s me, the landlord. I take it you’re up visiting from San Diego?” He offered a strong handshake and flashed his killer grin.

“Yeah, I just arrived. So you’re the landlord? Sophie didn’t mention that you were so…um…young. I imagined some old-man caretaker.” Kelly smirked.

“Old-man caretaker. Funny.” He raised a brow at Sophie. “Sorry to interrupt. My meetings ended early in New York, so I caught an earlier flight.”

Sophie attempted to ignore her best friend’s gaze burning a hole in her. She was busted.

“Actually, Nick… It is Nick, right?” Kelly continued when he nodded, “No interruption. We were just catching up and figuring out our plans for the weekend. Any suggestions?”

Sophie sailed past irritation into the world of true aggravation. Why was Kelly inviting him to help them make plans? Couldn’t she see Sophie was attempting to distance herself from him? An expert in denial, Sophie could do a fine job of denying she had any interest whatsoever in him or his opinion on anything at all.

She didn’t need a tour guide. She didn’t need a man. She didn’t need him. After the last two encounters ended in incredible kisses, she needed to get her hormones under control. If only her traitorous body would get on board with her resolve.

“Oh, I can definitely show you a great time here.” He flicked his gaze toward Sophie.

“No need. Alyssa already suggested a few cool spots—”

“Don’t be silly,” Kelly said. “I’m sure he wants to join us. Right, Nick? Maybe you could be our tour guide and show us some must-see places? We’d like to check out a few art galleries, maybe have some sushi, visit a wine bar…”

Sophie’s eyebrows almost flew off her forehead. What was her friend doing? Couldn’t Kelly sense she didn’t want anything to do with him? She’d have to stop this before it got any further.

“That’s okay. You must be tired from your trip, and I know you’re really busy. Maybe a few suggestions before you leave, though?”

Subtle, Sophie, subtle.

“I’d love to go. You know I wanted to see you again when I got back. I’ll pick you up at seven, and we’ll hit a great little wine bar and then go to the best sushi place in town.”

He ignored her protests and smiled as he backed out of the front door with Bailey, sending a wink in Kelly’s direction.

“Great. You’re too kind. We’ll see you then.” Kelly waved good-bye before Sophie could protest.

The door shut with a decisive click, making his exit as dramatic as his entrance.

“What were you thinking? I don’t want him to take us anywhere.” Sophie crossed her arms across her chest and glowered at her friend.

“Excuse me? I think you’ve been holding out on me here. You’ve got the most gorgeous guy I’ve ever seen greeting you with a kiss, and you fail to even mention his existence to me, much less that the sparks flying off you two could ignite this whole cottage. Since when did you start keeping secrets? Spill it.”

Sophie pouted. She didn’t want to discuss Nick or her reaction to him. Funny, she’d never held back anything from her best friend in the past.

“I really didn’t want to talk about it. You know, ostrich with the head in the sand and all that. It really is nothing. Classic scenario where the guy pursues the woman who isn’t interested.”

And she wasn’t interested. Liar, liar.

“I know you, and you most definitely are attracted to him. I saw you blush when he kissed you.”

Damn ivory complexion. Sophie shrugged. Stop being such a child. Maybe she should stamp her foot while she was at it.

Kelly hesitated when she saw the expression on her face. “Why wouldn’t you be interested? Because of Doug?”

“I can’t deny I’m attracted to him. Who wouldn’t be? We kissed…twice. My head almost exploded. The chemistry is like something out of some steamy romance novel.” Her vision blurred, and she blinked back tears.

Kelly crossed over to her and enveloped her in a warm hug. She squeezed back, welcoming the comfort from her friend’s slender arms.

“I just want to heal and write my book. I don’t need complications. He’s a huge complication. I mean, the check-out girl at the grocery store told me he’s known as the Player of Laguna, for God’s sake.” Sophie snorted at the memory.

“Perfect. Maybe a fling with a guy like that is just what you need to move on. Nothing like mind-blowing sex to erase memories of an ex. It might be a better idea than a year without men.”

“I just don’t know if I’m ready or if I can handle him. He’s just so…”

“I’m sorry. I won’t push it. If nothing else, he’s a diversion, right? Let’s just enjoy our afternoon before we see him again.”

****

Sophie cursed at her closet again. Was it sheer vanity making her so particular about her outfit tonight? Who was she kidding? She wanted to knock the wind out of him by looking drop-dead gorgeous. But she’d die before she admitted it. Ridiculous.

“Is that your whole wardrobe on the floor? Clothes crisis, I take it?” Kelly laughed as she came out of the bathroom.

“Yes, I’m pathetic. I need to look amazing, but I can’t let him know I’m trying to look amazing. What should I wear?”

Sophie tucked her hair behind her ear and grimaced at the mountain of clothes on her floor. Looking up, she did a double take. “You look incredible. Is that a new top? That shade of gold makes you look positively tawny. Meow.”

“This old thing? Ha, yes, I got sucked into that new boutique at Del Mar Plaza last weekend. Isn’t it great?”

Kelly crossed to the clothes pile and began pawing through, tossing items over her shoulder until she pounced on some black skinny jeans and an azure-blue blouse with the tags still on it.

“Okay. Put this on.” Kelly ripped off the tags before tossing the shirt at her.

Sophie was grateful for the assistance. Her friend’s bossiness always came in handy. Lord knew she was jumpy at seeing Nick again.

After she obeyed Kelly’s request, Sophie was pleased to see how the top dipped slightly in front, hinting at cleavage, while deepening and amplifying her blue eyes. Skinny jeans and towering stilettos made her feel confident she looked her best.

“You, my friend, are beautiful. The Player of Laguna won’t know what hit him.”

“I’m not trying to…” Sophie’s protest sounded weak, even to her own ears.

Kelly held up her hand. “Please save it. I know you. Now you better make sure he doesn’t come to your room and see your closet.”

“As if.” Sophie huffed out a breath.

Of course, he wouldn’t come anywhere near her bedroom.

Ever.

Maybe.