“I won’t come between family,” she said. “The answer is no. You were right to begin with. I’ll stay in Itirangi, you return to Auckland, and we can work out the best custody arrangement. We have plenty of time.”

Eli’s face darkened. “For God’s sake, Aria. That’s not what I want.”

She turned away, and this time, he let her. “I’m sorry, Eli.”

They spoke only when necessary the following day. Teri, aware of the tension but unsure of its origin, occupied herself on her cell phone rather than engage with them. When they dropped her off at school, she hugged Aria tightly and told her to be strong. Aria brushed the girl’s hair away from her face and told her to behave. They hugged again, and then Eli and Aria moved on.

A black mood had descended. She loathed herself for having taken so long to realize that she and Eli wouldn’t work. Her naivete earlier only made it harder now. They flew back south, and this time, she didn’t hold Eli’s hand, preferring to grit her teeth and deal with her fear of flying on her own.

It was mid-afternoon when he dropped her back at her cottage.

“I wish the weekend had gone better,” he said, carrying her bag to the door. “I apologize on my parents’ behalf.” He slid her a sidelong glance. “I don’t suppose you’ve reconsidered my offer?”

“Sorry, but no,” she said firmly, grateful for the reminder that his family disliked her. She needed to keep perspective.

“You’re a tough woman, you know that?” His lips curved into a wry smile. “Too tough.”

She stood in the doorway and studied him. Elijah Lockwood was a good man, but, tempted as she was to see what could happen between them, she wouldn’t take the risk. She loved her hometown and never wanted to leave, whereas Eli would hightail it out of here as soon as his mall was up and running. His family would never accept her, and she wasn’t prepared to drive a wedge between them. So, despite their chemistry, this relationship couldn’t continue—because, one way or another, it would break her heart.

“I have my reasons.”

“I know,” he said, stooping to nuzzle her neck. The sensation of his midday stubble against her skin felt like coming home, and she almost forgot why they couldn’t be together.

“We can’t,” she said. “Please don’t make this harder than it needs to be.”

“You’re wrong,” he replied, trailing kisses down the side of her neck. “And I’ll make you see it.”

“It would never work out,” she insisted, fisting her hands in her skirt.

“You can’t know that.”