“Sophia,” he said gently. “May I sit down?”
“I was just leaving,” she said quickly, wiping at her cheeks.
“Please don’t,” he said. “Not like this.”
Something in his voice made her hesitate. Slowly, she sat back down.
James took the seat across from her. For a moment, neither spoke.
“I saw what happened,” he said quietly. “Or rather, what didn’t happen.”
Sophia looked down. “Yes. I suppose I was foolish to think tonight would be different.”
“Different from what?”
“From every other time,” she said softly. “I’m not the kind of woman men choose. I’m the kind they overlook.”
Her words struck him with unexpected force.
“You’re wrong,” he said firmly. “The man who stood you up tonight is a fool.”
She looked up, searching his face for pity or mockery, but found neither. What she saw instead made her breath catch.
He was looking at her as if she mattered.
“Why are you here?” she asked. “Why did you come over?”
He hesitated, then answered honestly.
“Because I couldn’t stand to see you hurt. Because for 4 years you’ve been in my home, in my life, and I’ve been too blind to really see you. Until tonight.”
Something shifted in the air between them.
“Have you eaten?” he asked, signaling the waiter. “I would be honored if you would join me for dinner.”…..
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