“Me, too, although what I’d really like to do is to serve it on his naked body. Not that I want a relationship,” Lisa added hastily, “but a few hours of mind-blowing sex with Ryan Cooper would make me forget my troubles.”

Or add to your troubles, Emily thought.

She owed him an apology, and the longer she left it, the harder it would be.

Making a decision, she turned to Lisa. “Would you watch Lizzy for just five minutes? There’s something I need to do.”

* * *

Ryan had walked as far as the harbor when he heard her calling his name.

“Ryan, wait!” There was an urgency to her voice, and he turned quickly, forgetting his intention to keep his distance. The moment he saw her he wanted to drag her against him and kiss her until both of them forgot the time of day. To make sure he didn’t touch her, he thrust his hands into the pockets of his jeans.

“Is something wrong?”

“Nothing is wrong.” She was slightly breathless. “I owe you an apology.”

“For what?”

“For the things I said. For accusing you of deceiving me. I—I overreacted. I understand why you did what you did.” She was building bridges while he was trying to widen the gulf between them.

“You were protecting your child.”

“You’ve been nothing but kind to me since I arrived here, and I should have trusted you.”

She’d asked for honesty, so he decided to give it to her. “I’m not kind, Emily. Don’t make that mistake. My sister will tell you I’m a selfish, stubborn s—” He caught himself and then gave a short laugh. “I was editing it for children, and then I realized that for once we’re on our own. No child.”

She glanced at the hordes of tourists spilling from the ferry and gave him a hesitant smile. “Not exactly on our own.”

He was grateful for the crowds. Only the knowledge that he’d be arrested for indecency stopped him doing what he wanted to do. “So you left Lizzy with the twins. Good decision. Lisa is a responsible person, and the twins are sweet kids.”

“They are.” Her gaze slid to his. “I didn’t think you liked kids, Ryan Cooper.”

“I like them when they belong to someone else.”