She glanced at his clock. It was later than she’d thought. The alarm would sound in three minutes. She had to break away.

Kate scooted back, easing away from him. She’d moved only a few inches when she felt resistance. Her pajama top was caught. Lucas had rolled on top of it.

Gritting her teeth, she grasped the material and tugged slowly, watching Lucas’s face for any sign of awareness. But it freed without incident, and she sighed quietly. Being careful to steady the bed, she used her feet and right elbow to support her weight and scooted her hips away.

When she reached her own side of the bed, she rolled to her back and let out a shaky breath. Her heart, beating more rapidly than could be accounted for, really was shaking the bed. Thank goodness Lucas had slept through it. There was no telling what he’d think if he knew she’d snuggled up to him like that.

“Next time you want to cuddle, just say so.”

The voice from beside Kate startled her. Then the meaning of his words penetrated her mind. He still lay perfectly still, his breathing deep and even.

She yanked the pillow from under her head and swung it at him. But the only response she got was his insufferable laughter.

Nineteen

Nineteen

Fear and its close cousin, jealousy, will do more to ruin a relationship than any other factors.

—Excerpt from Finding Mr. Right-for-You by Dr. Kate

The Wright house was buzzing with activity when Kate and Lucas arrived the next Saturday.

“Come in, kids!” Roy called from where he emptied ice cubes into glasses. He was about to say something else, but Susan turned on a noisy mixer and began running it through a pot of steaming potatoes. In the next room, the TV blared, but Jamie was curled into a fat armchair with a book.

Lucas and Kate greeted them; then Roy took Lucas into the garage to show him the new mower he’d bought. When Susan turned off the mixer, silence settled on the kitchen.

“Can I help with something?” Kate asked.

“No, thank you.”

Kate searched for something to say. It was easier when they were walking; she didn’t feel the need to fill the silence. For the hundredth time, she thought about addressing the issue of Susan and Kate’s mom. Would it clear the air between them if she apologized on behalf of her mom? Would it open the door for Susan to confide in Kate about her marriage problems? Or would it just anger Susan that Lucas had told her?

She was formulating her thoughts on the matter when Lucas and his dad reentered. “You can borrow it anytime,” Roy was saying to Lucas as he took a pitcher of tea from the fridge.

Oh well, it would have to wait for another time. “Is Brody around?” Kate asked.

“He’s upstairs already,” Roy said.