“Yeah, but it’s just not meant to be.” The softness of Kate’s voice wrenched my heart. We had no idea if it was meant to be. We hadn’t tried to find out.

“Why not?” Violet asked with the innocent persistence kids had. She was seven and she’d thought to ask.

Kate was the most important person in my life and I’d never asked.

I’d asked her for time yet again and she’d given it to me. I wanted to think that she’d talk to me if she felt strongly about starting a family now. I hadn’t pushed her to talk either. Was I afraid of what she’d say?

“Dreams change sometimes.”

A vise tightened around my chest. I was a selfish bastard. I’d wanted my life with Kate. I’d wanted her and I’d done what it took to get her. And she’d had to give up something she wanted. Kids. Her own family unit. Because of me.

“You gonna have that last cracker?” Violet asked. Normally, the way she pilfered food would’ve made me chuckle, but all humor had drained out of me.

I had to do something, and I hated the way my options were limited by what the board decided. There were still only twenty-four hours in a day. I couldn’t find out that Kate dreamed of having kids only to leave her to raise them while I was in the office.

Maybe it was possible to parent while working as much as I did. I could finagle an assistant. Hire a personal assistant if Grams and the board refused additional positions.

I’d make it work. For Kate.

I rounded the corner and knocked on the doorframe.

Kate was hunched over the old metal desk, her hoodie pushing her hair around her face. She smiled. “Hey. Want a Cheez-It?”

“I’ll pass.” I hadn’t eaten those since I was a kid.

“You ready to go?” she asked like she hadn’t just confessed to giving up important dreams to stay with me. While I’d given up nothing but a few hours of work that I packed in during time I would’ve been working out.

“You two finish eating.”

Kate dug into her tote at her feet. “Would you mind starting my car? My remote doesn’t reach from in the building.” She rose and walked toward me. “It really doesn’t work unless you’re standing right next to it. But I’m not parked far way. If you don’t mind—”

I pressed my fingers against her plump lips. “Of course not.”