Leave the Lights On Read Online Free PDF Page B

in her lungs. “What look?”
    His eyes met hers, distractingly blue and intense. “Pity.”
    She exhaled. “I know exactly what you mean. That’s the look I got from everyone when I got divorced.”
    “Never thought about that.”
    She tossed the tomatoes into the salad and started whisking the dressing. “Trust me. When everyone in town knows your husband’s cheating on you before you know, you get the pity face everywhere you go.”
    “That’s why you got divorced?” The surprise on his face told her he hadn’t heard the rumors, and she regretted having blurted it out. Way to make yourself desirable. Shit.
    “Yeah.”
    “What a dick.”
    Sophie laughed and handed him the salad. “No argument there.”
    His strong fingers grasped the bowl. “Seriously, Soph. Any guy who cheats on his wife is an asshole. And any guy who’d cheat on you is a fucking idiot.”
    His words sent a warm tremor straight through her. “Thanks.”
    “Just being honest.”
    Sophie carried the lasagna pan to the table. “Can you grab the bread?”
    Parker picked up the cutting board and pulled a knife out of the butcher block.
    Watching as he sliced the crusty Italian bread into thick, even slices, Sophie tried to imagine how hard it must have been for him not to be able to do anything for himself for so long. “I wouldn’t have pitied you.”
    “What?” His eyes darted to hers again, dark brows furrowed.
    “I wouldn’t have pitied you,” she repeated, to make sure he heard her. “I knew you’d be strong enough to recover. I just would have kept you company. And brought you real food.”
    The shy smile spread across his face again, giving her another glimpse of the boy she’d fallen for so many years ago. “Then I guess I really am too stubborn for my own good. I’d probably have gotten better twice as fast with medicinal lasagna.”
    “I’ll give you an extra-large serving to make up for lost time.”

Chapter Six
    Sophie could barely concentrate at work the next day. Her thoughts kept drifting back to Parker. They’d had a perfect night together—talking until past midnight, eating and drinking wine. But when he’d gotten up to leave, things had turned awkward. He’d kept his hands shoved in his pockets, rocking on his heels as they said good night. She’d wanted a kiss so badly she thought she might pass out, but she had no idea what else to do to let him know. The last thing she wanted was to make him feel uncomfortable or, worse, have him reject her. That she couldn’t handle.
    “What’s gotten into you today? That’s the third time you’ve asked me about the Carter wedding. The invoice went out last week.” Cindy, her business manager planted her hand on her hip and squinted as if she could read Sophie’s thoughts if she looked hard enough.
    “Sorry. I’m just distracted.” Sophie slumped against her chair.
    “It’s that guy, isn’t it?” Cindy’s always-round eyes widened more than seemed possible, and she planted herself on the edge of Sophie’s desk. “Talk to me.”
    She thought about denying it, but there was no point. Cindy had known her for five years—first as college roommates then as business partners. There was no way she could successfully keep anything from her. “Yes.”
    “I knew it.” Cindy wiggled her shoulders from side to side the way she always did when she was proud of herself. “So, what’s the deal? Has he asked you out yet?”
    “No.” Sophie groaned and put her head down on the desk. “Actually, I think I asked him out.”
    “You think?”
    “He’s coming with me to the food show. I don’t know if it’s a date or not.”
    “But you want it to be.”
    Sophie gave Cindy her most condescending look, which she knew wasn’t particularly convincing.
    Cindy laughed. “He said yes, right? He obviously wants to spend time with you. That’s got to be a good sign.”
    “True. But it may just be friend time.”
    “Even if it is now, that can change.”
    Sophie