Aidan swore under his breath. “And then I busted your chops about living away from her. I’m so sorry.”

“Believe me, I was already busting my own chops about it. But I did the right thing coming here. I knew for sure when we were in Newport this week, but that was probably because you were with me.”

“It’s probably because you’re stronger now.”

Clare shrugged. “Possibly.”

“I’m so proud of you.”

“Why?”

“Because you survived. This terrible thing happened to you, and yet still you can laugh and joke and love. You didn’t let him win.”

“He took so much from me. As bad as it was to lose three years of my life and then Jack, too, you know what was worse?”

Aidan shook his head.

“I lost the thing that defined me—my life as a mother. I left three little girls and came back to two adults and a teenager.”

“But they still need you, especially Maggie. You’ve got more than four years with her before she goes to college.”

“Yes, and I’m going home to her. Soon. But it’s not the same. I have to share her with a stepmother she loves—the stepmother who gave her three brothers, who saw her through her first period and middle school, and God knows what else. Maggie doesn’t belong just to me anymore.”

“What about Kate? She needs you more than ever right now. And even Jill’s certainly not all grown up yet.”

“It’s not the same. It’s not like it was when they were younger and relied on me for everything. I’ve never felt more fulfilled by anything than I did then. Losing that has left a gaping hole inside of me.”

“Maybe you’ll feel better about it when you get back to Rhode Island. You can be more involved in Maggie’s daily life again.”

“Maybe,” Clare said, but she wasn’t convinced. “Thank you for listening.”

“Thank you for telling me.” He kissed her softly. “I hope you’re not mad I didn’t tell you I knew. I didn’t want to push you.”

She caressed his handsome face. “I don’t deserve you.”

“Oh, yes. Yes, you do.” He kissed her then as if his life—and hers—depended on it.

“Wanna see what else is under this dress?” she asked with a saucy smile.

He groaned. “You have no idea…”

Much later, while Clare slept in his arms, Aidan was content. With no secrets left between them, they could start to make plans for their future. He already had a few ideas about what that might entail.

“Aidan?”

“I thought you were asleep.”

“Almost. Thank you again for our date.”

He kissed the top of her head. “My pleasure.”

“I love you.”