Paul had heard about the tomatoes many times before, but hearing it in this context made him more determined than ever to throw a few tomatoes of his own—if that was what it took—to convince Hope that the only place in this world she and Ethan belonged was with him. One way or the other, they were going to get their happily ever after.

Torture. That was the word Hope would use to describe the last few days as she packed up her belongings and Ethan’s while searching for a new job that would take them away from Paul and the people who’d become like family to them. She’d had a promising second phone interview yesterday, and they were eager for her to come to the mainland to meet in person. She should be relieved to have a hot job prospect, but it had been a very long time since Hope had felt at home anywhere the way she did in her cozy cabin, across the yard from the Martinez house that had also begun to feel like home, and she had absolutely no desire to leave. So rather than feeling relieved, she felt despondent.

Paul and Alex had done the right thing to move Marion when they did. As a medical professional, Hope had fully supported their decision and had done everything she could to make it easier for them even as her heart broke into a million pieces at the implications for herself and Ethan. And Paul…

Other than the night he’d intervened with Ethan, Paul had respected her wishes and kept his distance. The more he stayed away, however, the harder it was for her to respect her own wishes. She lay awake night after night, fighting the desire to leave her bed and go to him. Only Ethan sleeping across the hall kept her where she belonged.

The sight of Paul in a tux today hadn’t helped her resolve at all. Her mouth had watered at the first glance of him decked out in formal attire. He looked so sexy, and she wasn’t the only woman in attendance who noticed. The punch of jealousy and the sharp sting of desire between her legs was a reminder that it would be a very long time—if ever—before she “got over” Paul Martinez.

She’d received the message he’d sent her in his speech loud and clear. What they’d found together didn’t come around every day. She certainly knew that, but she’d like to think she’d learned from the mistakes of the past and couldn’t gamble her future—or Ethan’s—even for something as wonderful as what she had with Paul. She would never again allow herself to become financially dependent upon a man, no matter how much she loved him or suspected he loved her.