“You’re not going to find her if you’re not looking.”
“I look every day. Every damn day.”
“And? What the hell are you looking for?”
“I’ll know her when I see her.”
“Huh. You’re a weird dude. You know that?” Nick swatted at Gray’s arm. “Hey, check out this one. She’s kind of cute. A little bit of a mess, but cute.”
That description sounded familiar. Gray closed his e-mail and looked up.
And saw Sofia.
She was at the counter, ordering. Her hair was down, pushed back behind her ears. She wore a pair of wrinkled khaki shorts, a blue top, partially tucked in, and brown sandals that had seen better days. She was more beautiful than he’d even remembered.
“Holy hell.”
“What?”
“That’s her.” He grinned, shaking his head.
“Yeah? She the one?” Nick chuckled. “Go get her, dude.”
~ * ~
Sofia was running late for her first day of classes, but the coffee shop had practically screamed her name as she passed by the green and white sign. A cold vanilla blended coffee would hit the spot. And— she checked her watch—she did have ten minutes.
“Order’s up,” the barista called out, and set it on the counter.
“Thanks.” Sofia grabbed the cup and turned to head out the door. But ran into a broad, hard chest instead. The lid of her drink popped off and spilled onto the man’s white shirt. “Shoot. I’m sorry. I didn’t see you—”
“Sofia, it’s me.”
Gray. Startled by his voice, she dropped the entire cup on the floor. Liquid bounced back and splashed onto his jeans. Slowly, she forced her gaze up to his face. His gorgeous face.
He was smiling at her so large she thought he might start laughing. His hair was a little bit longer, and his face was unshaven, a few days growth at least. He looked happy.
“Hi,” she squeaked out. Oh, geez. Here she was seeing him for the first time thousands of miles away from home and she’d gone and spilled a cold drink on him. Nice going, Sofe.
“Hi.” He picked up the cup and threw it in the trash beside him.
“I’m sorry.” She grabbed a napkin and patted at his t-shirt that fit nicely against his chest. “I wasn’t expecting to see you here. I guess I freaked out. I didn’t mean to—”
“It’s okay. They’re just clothes.”
She continued to pat, partly to get off the whipped cream, mostly to feel him in the flesh. To just feel him. It had been so long.
“Sofia,” he said, and took the napkin from her. “It’s not a big deal, trust me.” He nodded to the brunette barista who was staring up at him. “Can she get another one of these? I’ll pay for it.”
“Gray, you don’t have—”
“So, what are you doing all the way out here?”
Her mind went blank. Why was she here again? Oh yeah. “I’m a student at the art school. It’s right across the street.” She pointed absently out the coffee shop window.
“That’s great, Sofia,” he said, but his smile dimmed. “I’m curious. What made you decide to go to this one?” He stood close enough she could smell him. His natural, mesmerizing scent with a splash of whipped topping and caramel.
“Oh, fate, maybe. One of their people saw my paintings in a gallery opening. And…um, what are you doing here?”
Please say you flew out here to find me and sweep me off my feet.
“I live in this building. Do you remember when I told you I owned a place out here?”
“That’s right. I do remember. I, uh, went to your condo back home to invite you to the gallery opening, but you’d already moved.”
“I’m sorry, Sofia.” He skimmed a couple of fingers up her arm.
Her entire body warmed. Did he realize the effect he still had on her?
“I should’ve called to tell you. But after—” He shook his head. “Listen. None of that matters. Can you come upstairs with me so I can change, and we can continue talking?”
“Yes,” she mumbled.
“Yes?”
“I mean, no. I can’t right now. I’m running late for my first day.” Sofia wondered if she were visibly shaking or if it was all in her head. Her mind was racing with questions. What did he want from her? Was it pity or amusement in his eyes?
“What about later? I’ll make you dinner. I’ve been practicing.”
“You have?”
He nodded and handed her the new drink from off the counter. “Will you come over? It’s the fifth floor. Number 501. Around seven? Will that work?”
“I think so.” I think so? Come on, Sofe. Get it together. “Er. That’ll be fine. Number 501 at seven o’clock?”
“Yeah.” He brushed a kiss across her cheek. “Good luck on your first day. I’ll see you later.”
Her feet started moving before her mind did, and she was out the door before she let out a breath. Shoot. She hadn’t even said goodbye. But she couldn’t go back. She was late and she’d look like a dork rushing back in there. She’d just have to wait.
She headed across the busy street as a thought dawned on her, settling in her belly like a cement brick. Did he want her to come to dinner so he could be with her, or officially break it off?
What other reason could he have for disappearing and not calling?
Just get through the day, Sofe.
~ * ~
The day couldn’t have gone better, Sofia thought as she pushed the number five button on the elevator wall. She’d made new friends. The classes were interesting and thought provoking. Steven Burns had offered her a job in the admissions office, so she didn’t have to take that barmaid position.
It was everything she could’ve hoped for and more. Her life was finally on the right path. But as she walked through the elevator doors and ascended floor after floor after floor, the nerves in her body launched an all-out attack on her stomach, making her wonder if she just might die. Or throw up.
Ding. The doors opened, and right in front of her was the number 501 tacked onto a black paneled door. His door. He was right behind it, probably making her dinner.
Because he’d practiced.
Why? Did he want to be even more perfect before he dumped her? Before he told her, “It was fun while it lasted but…” Before her heart leaped up into her head and made an escape route out through her ears, because what heart would want to spend any more time in her pathetic, loveless, sexless body?
Get a grip, Sofe. Maybe he got sick of eating burned eggs.
She stepped out into the hardwood hallway. A black and white checkered rug ran from one end to the other. All she needed was some red and black checkers and she’d have a very good reason not to ring that doorbell.
Her finger thought otherwise. It pushed the little gold button, sending a buzzing noise into the other side. She heard a man’s laugh and then the doorknob turned. A man, a stranger, held a beer bottle as he stood at the threshold.
Maybe this was her lucky day?
Sofia checked the apartment number again. “I’m sorry. I guess I have the wrong—”
“Are you Sofia?”
“Yes,” she said, her voice making it sound more like a question than an answer.
“Don’t worry. This is Gray’s place. I was just making sure he doesn’t burn down the building, especially since I live one floor below him.”
“Oh. Okay.” Darn.
“Come in, Sofia,” Gray called. “I’m in the kitchen.”
The man gestured for her to enter, and she slipped by him. The layout of the loft looked like a mini version of his condo, except for the stairs that led up to a second story.
Gray stood at the island, opening a bottle of wine. He was clean-shaven but his hair still sat shaggy against his ears and forehead. Sofia liked the new carefree look, maybe a little too much.
Her gaze wandered down to the blue, thin knit sweater that emphasized his every muscle. Behind him, steam rose from a pot. A lemony aroma f
illed the air.
He set the corkscrew down and walked around to greet her, planting a kiss on her cheek.
High cheek, far away from the lips.
“I’m glad you came,” he said. “This is my friend, Nick. He was just leaving.”
Nick held out a hand for her to shake. “Yep, I’m leaving. Actually, Gray wanted me to leave an hour ago, but I wanted to meet the famous Sofia.”
Sofia shook his hand lightly, afraid her palm was clammy. She couldn’t recall when she’d ever been this nervous. Was there a spell that got rid of the urge to vomit?
No. No more spells for personal use. Look at the mess it had gotten her into already.
“Famous?” she asked, the word finally registering.
“Yeah.” Nick winked. “Gray was telling me about your adventures together.”
Gray patted his friend’s back, giving him a slight shove. “See you tomorrow, Nick.”
“Okay. Okay. I’ll take the not-so-subtle hint. You two have fun catching up.”
Nick left, leaving Sofia alone with Gray.
“I didn’t tell him the private details.” He cleared his throat. “Why don’t you sit while I check on our dinner?”
~ * ~
Gray poured her a glass of wine as she settled onto one of the barstools. She was damn sexy in her little flowered dress that curved at all the right places. When he’d kissed her cheek, he’d inhaled her scent, remembering the vanilla. Remembering everything. How could he forget?
He turned to dump the pasta into the colander.
Please, God, do not let me screw up the dinner. Any part of it.
He poured the sauce in with the chicken, but her stare bore into him, penetrated through to his marrow. She was being too quiet, but what did he expect? He’d moved across the country without telling her. She probably thought he was an asshole. Again.
Hopefully, she’d believe his reasoning.
“So,” he began, without looking back, “how was your first day of school?”
“Good. It went well.” Her voice was unsteady.
He glanced her way and noticed her hands trembled against the wine glass. “I’m glad. This is all quite a coincidence, don’t you think? You and I meeting here?”
She nodded.
Gray took in a breath and got back to work, pouring the chicken, sauce, and pasta all into one bowl. The recipe said he should pair it with asparagus, but he hated asparagus. Broccoli would have to do. He scooped everything onto two separate plates. Nice plates he’d bought for this occasion.
“Do you like broccoli?” He turned to ask, and saw that her wine glass was empty.
“Yes. Everything smells great.” A forced grin spread across her glossed lips.
He poured her another glass. She was as nervous as he was, maybe even more with the way her face was flushed.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
She nodded again, pursing her mouth. What she must think of him. He could only imagine.
“I, uh…” Tell her you love her. Tell her you never once stopped loving her.
Not yet. The timing wasn’t right. She needed to see the bedroom first.
“I’ll take your plate to the table if you want to carry your wine.”
She agreed, and he followed her, setting a plate down in front of her and placing one at his place. He’d already set the table, so he poured himself a glass of wine and sat.
Everything was in place. Nothing had burned, and he hadn’t said anything too idiotic. Yet.
“Where are you staying?” Nice, safe topic.
She looked up from forking a noodle around. “I’m staying in a hotel room right now. I have a scholarship, but it doesn’t pay for housing, so I’m looking for a roommate who doesn’t charge too much.”
Gray had an extra room. But he didn’t want her sleeping in there. He wanted her sleeping with him. Just as they’d planned before any of this love spell crap happened.
“You can stay with me,” he offered.
“Here? But—”
Mozart starting ringing from her purse sitting at her feet.
“Sorry. It’s probably my mom.”
“Sure, no problem.”
She pulled out a glittery pink phone and answered. “Hello?”
The volume on her phone must have been turned to the max or her mother had an extremely loud voice, because he could hear every word. Gray figured it was the latter.
“Hi, Mom.” She held the phone away from her ear some. “I’m safe and everything is going well. Can I call you back?”
“You can spare a moment, can’t you? Your Nana’s here. We called to see how you did on your first day of school.”
“It was… Hold on.” She fiddled around with some buttons, but gave up. “It was good. It went really well.”
“Nana wants to know if—wait. I’ll put her on the phone. She’s driving me crazy with all these questions.”
“Sofia?” Her grandmother was even louder. Did they ever use the telephone?
“Hi, Nana.”
“Sofia, did that Steven guy ask you out on a date yet?”
“What?” Sofia’s cheeks flared red, and Gray’s heart stopped beating. “No, Nana. That’s not going to happen.”
Thank God. The last thing Gray needed was competition.
“Nana, can I call you guys back later? I’m kind of busy right now.”
“Well, what’s so important? Are you on the toilet? Having sex? What?”
“No, I’m having dinner with Gray. I ran into him this morning. He lives out here.”
Silence.
“Nana?”
“Yes, dear. Call me back as soon as possible. I want to hear all about this.”
“Sorry,” Sofia said as she closed the phone. “I guess distance doesn’t stop me from having a nosy family.”
Mozart blared again. She checked the caller ID and simply powered it off.
“No problem. Who’s Steven?” He couldn’t help but ask.
“You heard all that, didn’t you? Dang it. Steven is the man who discovered my paintings and then helped me get into the school for next to nothing.”
“Sounds like a great guy.” Jealousy started in again.
“He is, but he’s not interested in me the way Nana thinks he is. I don’t have the heart to tell her he has a boyfriend.”
“He has a boyfriend?”
“Yes. I’ve had dinner at their house. They’re both very nice. And they have the most amazing art collection.” Her eyes softened, and she seemed to relax for the first time.
Gray smiled, hoping he’d get one back.
He did, but lost it when her gaze dropped down to her plate again.
She forked at a piece of broccoli. “Gray?”
“Yeah?” His pulse quickened as he waited for her next words.
“I’m sorry for everything that happened. My mom’s reading. The love spell. I want you to know I wasn’t behind any of it. And my mom has agreed to start being more honest with her clients. She was very upset by what had happened to Hayes. And Nana, well, she hasn’t agreed to anything, but she—”
Gray put up his hand to stop her, surprised she was apologizing to him. “It’s all in the past, Sofia. I’d rather look to the future.”
“Okay,” she said, and pushed a lock of her hair behind her ear.
“I’ve missed you.” He couldn’t hold back any longer.
Her eyes widened. “You have?”
“God, yes.”
She still looked surprised. Maybe too surprised. Another rush of panic rounded over him. Had he waited too long?
“I…” he began again, feeling desperate to make her understand just how much he had missed her. “I always think about you.”
“You do?”
“Yeah. I think of everything. The sweetness of your smile. The genuineness of your laugh. The soft sound of your voice. Your kindness. Your smell. The warmth of your body when you’re lying up against me. Touching you. Being inside you. Everything.”
The words spilled from his mouth, releasing and exploding into the air between them like a heartrending bomb. They must have hit her the wrong way because she didn’t look too thrilled. Confused was a better word.
“I have to use the restroom,” she said, and rose from the table.
“The restroom?”
“Yes. Where is it?”
He set his napkin on top of his untouched food and stood. For the first time since they’d separated, he let himself question if maybe Nana’s love spell hadn’t been so ridiculous.
What if, just what if, Sofia’s love for him had faded?
He hadn’t wanted to believe any of her grandmother’s nonsense, and he’d purposely and patiently waited for destiny to catch up—for Sofia to make her way to San Francisco. He knew she’d eventually come. It was their fate. The dreams had made that clear.
And once she saw the bedroom, she’d forget about the spell, and she’d realize his love was real.
The only question was did she still love him?
He had to find out.
But first he’d tell her where the bathroom was. “It’s right over there.” He pointed to the door next to the kitchen.
She headed that way, almost passing him, but stopped abruptly and stared up at him. “I don’t really have to go,” she said.
“I didn’t think you did.”
“I was going to go in there, splash cold water on my face and try to come up with a reasonable explanation as to why you left me. I probably would have blamed it on the spell or my mother. I might’ve thought you needed some time to cool off. Most likely, I would’ve started to doubt myself and my gift. I would’ve wondered if you left because you couldn’t accept me and all the crazy stuff that comes with me. Or maybe you found another woman, had an affair—”
“Why don’t you ask me?”
She planted her feet stubbornly in front of him and met his eyes. “Why did you leave me, Gray? I loved you and I needed you and you weren’t there for me. I thought I’d never see you again. I thought you hated me. And I just…” She shook her head. “I don’t know if I can be here with—”
“Wait. Just wait.” Damn, he was going to lose her.
Don’t ask. Just do it.
Confused as to what else to do, Gray grabbed her by the waist and lifted her over his shoulder. “I’m taking you to the bedroom.”
Bewitching You Page 25