“Why not? It might be fun.” And good for the public to see them together.

He gave the bureau one last swipe and stood back, looking it over. “Talking’s not my thing.” He set the cloth on the plywood table. “Words don’t come easy to me, like they do you.”

The more she thought about it, the more she wanted him there with her. Maybe getting off the island, away from the grind of life, would break the stalemate they’d had between them the past month. Ironically, she’d thought she’d wanted distance between them. But now that she had it, she was lonely.

“I’ll fill in the gaps,” Kate said. “You wouldn’t have a thing to worry about.”

“I can’t.”

Did he have work that couldn’t be put off? Or maybe he just wanted a break from her.

“Look, something happened when I was a kid. I was supposed to give a speech in front of my school. In a school assembly.” He picked up the rag and twisted it in his stained fingers. “I froze. Forgot everything I was going to say.” He wiped the top of the bureau again. “I haven’t talked in front of an audience since.”

Now, as he walked her to security, she imagined Lucas as a frightened little boy, paralyzed in front of his peers. He seemed so far removed from that little boy, so strong and capable. But she remembered his one request when he agreed to marry her: “No interviews.” It must’ve been hard enough for him to be in the spotlight as he had. But he’d done it for her.

And his parents, she reminded herself.

As they approached the security officer, Kate remembered the first time he’d brought her here. Dahlia Stevens had been in line, and he’d kissed her good-bye. Today no one waited in security, and Kate noted the edge of disappointment that pricked her heart.

What was wrong with her?

What’s wrong? I want him to go with me. Want him to kiss me. That’s what’s wrong.

Lucas handed Kate the overnight case before they reached the balding security officer. “Kate . . .”

She checked her watch before meeting his gaze.

He shifted his weight. “When you get back, we need to talk.”

Something hardened in her stomach, gelling into a thick lump. She hated when people did that. Now, the whole time she was gone, she’d wonder what he wanted. The sudden fear that he wanted to end their arrangement left her speechless. What if he was tired of pretending? Tired of the awkward silence between them these last few weeks? She wanted to say she was sorry, but sorry for what?

“Is something wrong?” she asked instead.

Lucas waved her off. “Nothing to worry about.” He looked at her as if studying her features. She’d only be gone one night. What’s going on?