“What are you doing here? Slumming?” he asked once she’d reached the porch.
Sounded like Gregory had picked up the snotty remarks she’d dropped from her lexicon. “No, actually, I made some humble pie and wanted to bring you a great big slice.”
More like the whole pie. Not only did she look awful, but also she sounded ridiculous with her nasal voice.
Both of his eyebrows shot up. “Yeah? This sounds interesting.” He stepped aside and gestured for her to enter. “Want something to drink?” he offered as he led her into the living room.
“No, thanks.”
She wasn’t going to stay that long. She’d say what she needed to say and then run for it.
His living room sure looked inviting though. It was simply furnished with a couch upholstered in a sturdy brown fabric and a couple of fake-leather easy chairs. A thick area carpet patterned in cream and brown covered much of the hardwood floor. She suspected the flooring was new. The fireplace had been refaced, and a framed color photo of the Grand Canyon hung over it. A Charlie Brown tree sat in a corner by the window, decorated with a few lights and a collection of Star Wars–themed ornaments.
“The house looks great,” she said.
“Thanks. I did the floors and the fireplace myself.”
“Hidden talents.”
“I have a lot of talents you don’t know about,” he said. That sounded almost flirty, but more likely it was a subtle scold. Which she deserved.
She walked over to the fireplace, where a fire was burning, and checked out the picture. “You took this?” she guessed.
He came and stood next to her. “I did.”
“It’s great.”
“Yeah, well, having done nerdy stuff like photography club in high school, I learned a few things.”
Yep, this wasnotflirting. She could feel her face heating, and it had nothing to do with the fire in front of her.
She sat down on the nearest chair. A good decision, since the knocking together of her knees was distracting. She’d come to apologize. She needed to say something.
He dropped onto the couch, across from her. “How’s the nose?”
“A mess.” Rather like her life.
“You’re not having a very good time of it here so far, are you?”
“Maybe it’s time I got a cosmic punch in the nose,” she said.Okay, it’s now or never. “I’m sorry for what a snot I was to you.”
He gave a snort. “Which time?”
“All of them.”
“That’s a lot of sorrys,” he said softly.
“You’re right. I was horrid.” She wanted to say, “I’ve changed,” but she knew that wasn’t quite accurate. “I’m working on changing.”
“Are you now?”
“While you guys were on the slopes yesterday, I met up with some old friends.”
“Yeah?”
“It was like... looking in a magic mirror, showing me the kind of person I’ve been. I didn’t like what I saw. I don’t suppose you can forgive me,” she ventured.
He shrugged.
