“And that’s why you were spying through the vent?” It didn’t wash. If she were concerned about gossip, she would confront him, not eavesdrop.

Her eyes met his in the mirror. “I’m just trying to protect my career.” He walked closer until he was behind her. “Is that what you’re telling yourself?”

Her hands fell slowly to her sides. In the light of the window to the side of the mirror, her eyes sparkled. He wanted to get lost in there. Better yet, he wanted to climb behind those eyes and see what was holding her back.

Did she love Bryan still? He reviewed their kiss for the hundredth time and felt his confidence climb. A woman didn’t kiss a man like that when she was in love with someone else. Maybe she’d never been in love with Bryan.

All Lucas knew was she had some kind of feelings for him.

“Why are you so afraid to be honest with yourself?” he asked.

Kate stared back. “I’m not afraid.”

Her bravado seemed to have shrunk two sizes. He wanted to reach out and wrap his arms around her, pull her against him as he had on the sailboat. But he had a feeling he didn’t dare move or she’d run.

“Why can’t you admit you’re jealous? It’s not a crime.” He found the courage to open up. Someone had to. “When Bryan called last week, I was jealous.”

Something in her face softened. Her lips parted to speak. Then, as if she thought better of it, they sealed again.

Why was it so hard to admit something was happening between them? They had almost ten more months together. Would it hurt to explore the feelings?

“There’s something here, and you know it,” he said.

She blinked, her eyes fastened on his for just a split second before she walked away. “Stop it, Lucas. Leave things as they are.” She stopped behind the barrier of the sofa.

Heaven forbid she let her guard down. “All neat and tidy, you mean?”

“What’s wrong with neat and tidy? Neat and tidy is simple and clear-cut, and nobody gets hurt.”

“Is that what’s got you worried?” Was she still nursing wounds Bryan had inflicted? Couldn’t she see he’d never forsake her as Bryan had? He always wanted to be there for her. To protect her. To cherish her. To love her.

“Nobody likes to get hurt.”

He held the image of her on their wedding night. Remembered the sound of her sobbing in that big empty bed. “I’m not the one who left you at the altar,” he said gently.

Kate wrapped her arms around her stomach. “Look, it just—It just won’t work between us. We’re too different. Completely incompatible, for heaven’s sake. I’ve seen what happens too many times.”