But I know it’s pink because I know her.
Or, at least, I thought I did. “Sophie, what are you doing here?”
Stupid question, I know. But I’m not sure where to start.
“I’m supposed to cover the games, remember? It’s my job.” There’s an edge to her voice that I’ve not heard before.
Feeling sheepish, I run a hand through my hair. “Yes, I know. I just didn’t see you tonight, so I thought you were busy…”
She takes a step toward me. A soft breeze carries her sweet scent to my nose, making me want to forget everything and pull her into my arms, as if I’d ached for her for a decade. Because that’s what this knot in my chest feels like.
“Busy?” As she tilts her head, moonlight illuminates her eyes, giving me a clear picture of the question she’s really asking. And the hurt I’ve inflicted.
Might as well be honest with her. “Yeah, I assumed you’d have a bigger assignment by now.”
She takes another step closer. “Because you thought I leveraged the article I did on you to get a magazine byline.”
Her voice sounds flat yet laced with a hint of frustration.
I can’t bring myself to admit it to her, so I let my silence speak for me.
“I didn’t even know about it, Luke. And the irony is, you found out before I did. Yet youassumedI did it on purpose, despite seeing how mortified I was about the wrong picture being used in the first run.”
I attempt some levity. “You know what they say about making assumptions.”
Something raw flashes in her eyes. “I’m not one of the asses in this equation, Luke. I don’t know what hurts worse—that you didn’t even bother to talk to me about it, or that you could think I would do something like that to you.”
“Sophie, I’m?—”
“You know what’s even more ironic about this. USA Hockey Magazine offered me a job because of the reaction to that article. The fans loved it. And they want more pieces like it.”
Despite not wanting the exposure, I can’t help but be happy for her. This is what she’s wanted, to have recognition for her journalism skills. “That’s great, right?”
“No!” She lifts her hands into the air with her frustration and starts pacing back and forth. “I have no desire to bounce around all over the place, dealing with smelly locker rooms and arrogant hockey players, or riding on stupid buses and sleeping in hotels. I just want to write a column about Sarabella, the town I love and want its residents to know and love too. But I thought you understood that.”
I did understand that about her. But I thought…I made the mistake of assuming ‘opportunistic’ always applied to someone in her field, even if they defined themselves as a journalist and not a reporter. But more importantly, and profession aside, I should have known Sophie would never do something like that simply because she’s not that kind of person.
I swallow down any pride I have left. “You’re right, Sophie. I am an ass. And I’m so sorry.”
She stops and stares at me. “That was unexpected.”
“What? That I said you were right or admitted I’m an idiot for assuming.”
She blinks. “Both?”
I don’t miss the way she’s trying not to smile, but I see it in those beautiful big brown eyes that make me want to depart my world and enter hers. “Will you forgive me?”
She crosses her arms, but her gaze is borderline flirtatious. “I’ll think about it.”
And she has no idea what she’s doing to me. I slip my hands into my pants pockets, resisting the urge to crush her against me and use my sculpted lips to show her what I’m feeling. We have a chance to turn our rough start into something solid and lasting if she’s willing.
“Okay. I’ll wait.” I let one side of my mouth slide up in a half grin because I can tell she’s putting on a show. She wants to make me work for it, and, surprisingly, I’m okay with that. But first, I’m going to enjoy teasing her a little.
I cross my arms, mimicking her stance without breaking eye contact.
She lets out a frustrated growl and drops her arms. “Whatever.”
When she whirls around to leave, I grab her wrist and yank her toward me. Our bodies collide right before my lips crash onto hers. There’s no way I’m letting her walk away without showing her how much I want and need her in my life.
