Riley glanced to the passenger side. “So what happens now?”
“I ride out the scandal and see what the electorate does in November. Nothing else I can do.” He set his jaw, grinding his back teeth.
“Are you heading back home in the morning?”
Harlan shifted in his seat. “I have an important meeting at nine. I’ll fly out after that.”
Riley grinned. “The busy life of a politician.”
“Yet sometimes it’s your personal life that wears you down,” the other man said, laughing despite the circumstances. “So how’s that beautiful woman you brought home with you?”
“Fine.” Riley wasn’t in the mood to discuss Sophie for a second time today. He managed to make small talk and keep his real feelings to himself until they finally pulled up to the curb by the hotel and said their goodbyes.
Exhausted, Riley drove home, parked and took the elevator up to his apartment, ready to fall into bed. Instead as he approached his place, he saw a blonde seated outside his door waiting for him.
Sophie must have heard his approach, because she looked up, then rose to her feet, an embarrassed smile on her face.
His heart sped up at the sight of her in her faded jeans and T-shirt. Her hair was tousled and she wore no makeup.
“Hi there,” she greeted him with a wave.
He practically lost his heart all over again, but reminded himself he had good reason to be wary. “Hi, yourself.”
“Your doorman recognized me from the interview Uncle Yank did on TV and he said I could come on up and wait.”
The interview. Another time she’d seen fit to leave a message because she thought it was the right thing to do, not because she couldn’t stay away. She managed to do that too easily.
He put his keys in the door and let them inside. “Been here long?”
“Not really,” Sophie lied. More like two hours, she thought. She’d even dozed once.
Once inside, he tossed the keys on the kitchen counter. He turned to face her and she saw how truly tired he looked. She curled her fingers into a fist, resisting the urge to reach out and caress his face.
“I don’t mean to be rude, but I’ve had a really long day. I’m wiped out and just plain not in the mood for company. I’d really appreciate it if you’d get to the point of your visit, so I can get some sleep.” As if to back up his claim, his body swayed and he leaned against the counter for support.
She swallowed hard. His curt tone caught her off guard. Though they hadn’t been in touch lately, she thought they understood each other and shared a special bond. She thought he’d need her. Wasn’t that why she’d come to see him now?
She bit on her lower lip, feeling silly for showing up at all. “This was a mistake. Just forget it.” She pivoted fast and started for the door.
“Wait.” He caught her arm, stopping her from making a clean escape.
She turned and faced him. Her skin burned where he’d touched her, the desire she always felt in his presence still strong. Stronger though was the humiliation.
“I’m sorry. It’s just—”
She waved off his apology. ?
?You don’t need to apologize. I shouldn’t have just shown up here unannounced.”
“Then why did you?” His tone softened and curiosity flashed in his face, along with a warmth she hadn’t seen yet tonight.
She spread her hands out in front of her. “The papers, the gossip, the fact that everyone knows Spencer’s your father…I know it can’t be easy and I’ve been worried about you.” She paused, then added, “I’ve left messages, but you haven’t returned my calls.”
“It’s been hectic.”
“I’ll bet.” When had they become like two awkward strangers? Sophie wondered. Even at their most heated, angry moments, words had never failed either one of them. “I figured that since nobody knew about you and Spencer before now, you might want to talk to someone who understood.”
“Is that it?” he asked, folding his arms across his chest.