The Promise of Us (Sanctuary Sound #2)(73)

These past weeks that she’d spent with him? He shivered, and not because of the cold drink in his hand. “Is this your way of telling me you regret everything?”

She swallowed the sip she’d started while shaking her head. “I don’t regret any of it, but I got ahead of myself thinking I could handle your father’s project.”

“I’m not following. Is it the competition? ’Cause you’re talented enough to compete with any designer.”

“Logan, if my history proves anything, it’s that I’m not afraid of competition.” Her gaze lost focus, and he guessed she was remembering her fierce court presence. She glanced at her feet. “But after today, I have to respect my limits and take things slower.”

She limped back to the living room and sank onto the sofa.

“What happened today?” He crouched in front of her, setting his glass on the coffee table so he could rest his hands on her knees.

“It doesn’t matter.” She sipped more tea, rubbing her hip. He’d noticed it bothered her more often on rainy days.

“It does to me.” When he saw the misty sheen in her eyes, he took her glass and set it aside, then clasped her hands. “Don’t cry, Claire. Tell me what’s happened.”

“I don’t want to tell you.” She wrested her hands free and buried her face in them.

“Why not?” He waited. “Is it Peyton?”

She shook her head, refusing to look at him. “It’s all me, and it’s more humiliating than when you found my scrapbook.”

He’d botched handling his feelings about that fixation. Today he’d do better so she could confide in him.

“Tell me, please. I promise, I won’t think less of you.”

She splayed her fingers and peeked at him.

“Come on.” He pried her hands from her face and kissed her knuckles. “Trust me.”

“Fine.” She heaved a sigh. “I drove to a design center in Hartford to search for things for your condo. I got up there on my own and bought some great pieces. In fact, the purchase orders are in my bag, and Steffi will be starting to trim out the living room and paint after the gala, so you need to clear out whatever you aren’t keeping right away. She’ll cover everything else.”

“That’s great news.” He nearly leaped into the air from the fact that she’d driven herself to Hartford. But he didn’t want to get sidetracked by discussing that at the moment. “So why are you so upset?”

“Because . . .” She twined her fingers together in her lap and stared at them, tears forming again. “I couldn’t make it home. It started snowing when I left, and the traffic was three times as heavy. Cars were honking at me, my wipers made a streaky mess, and there was a big pileup right in front of me. I panicked so bad I thought I was having a heart attack.”

“I’m sorry. That sounds awful.” He sat beside her and dragged her into a hug. “You should’ve called me.”

When she harrumphed against his chest, he asked, “How’d you finally get home?”

“Steffi and Ryan picked me up in Meriden,” she mumbled. “I was mortified. She drove my car back for me.”

“This is my fault.” He tipped up her chin and kissed her with tenderness that came from the farthest reaches of his heart. “I’ve been pushing you too hard, too fast.”

“Don’t.” She glowered. “Don’t say that like I’m a lapdog with no choice in what happens to me. I thought at least I could count on you not to coddle me like everyone else does.”

“Sorry.” He held up his hands, uncertain of how to comfort her without making her feel worse. “I didn’t mean to upset you more.”

She punched the seat cushion. “I’m upset with myself for letting things get to this point.” Those blue eyes flickered with self-loathing, which bothered him to see. “This weak, scared woman isn’t who I ever wanted to be. It isn’t who I thought I was or even realized I’d become. Not until you . . .”

His chest took the blow. “Pointed it out . . .”

“You didn’t let me finish.” She held his gaze. “Not until you challenged me. You pushed me, but I don’t regret going to New York or Newport, or painting outside the lines. I’ll cherish those memories.”

“So you forgive me?”

“There’s nothing to forgive.” She took his face in her gentle hands. “Your bluntness punched through everything. Got me to take a couple chances. I honestly don’t know when—if—I’ll try again, but today did feel great when I started out.”

He yanked her onto his lap, her petite frame fitting perfectly against his larger one. “If that’s true, don’t let one small setback stop you. Push harder. Let’s ride up to Mystic and check out a prospective Prescott Inn. I’ll get us a room.” He brushed her hair away and nuzzled her neck. “I’ll be your muse.”

She let her head fall back and closed her eyes, making a breathy sound of approval before killing his plan. “If I can’t get there on my own, I can’t take on the project.”

“Then you drive. If you get uncomfortable, I’ll take over.”

She smiled at him. “Thank you, but no.”