When problems arise, face them head-on. Every relationship has conflict. It’s how you handle it that matters.

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

Lucas arrived at the airport, not merely on time, but early. He waited for Kate in a sling-back chair, his elbows propped on his knees. Their phone conversation haunted him. Her tone, so lost and broken, begged him to fix the mess. But there was no easy fix this time. The problem was too big, too overwhelming.

Guilt clung to him like grains of sand on wet skin. The marriage had been his idea. He’d practically talked her into it. He’d only been trying to help. He’d done it out of love, but look what happened. He’d hurt her instead. Was I wrong, God? I was so sure I was doing the right thing.

When the time came for her flight’s arrival, he watched for her. How would she react to him? How did this change their relationship? And he had no doubt it would change their relationship. Lucas regretted wasting the past month. He should have been winning Kate over, showing her his love. Instead he’d given her space.

Well, he was out of time now. Pretense had been the glue that held their marriage together and there was no need for it now.

Kate has feelings for me. I know she does. Maybe it was wishful thinking, but he was sure he’d caught her watching him lately with a certain look in her eyes. And there was no denying the passion of the kiss they’d shared or the jealousy in her eyes when he’d caught her spying on him and Sydney. Was it too much to hope that she might open her heart to him?

Kate appeared down the corridor, and he stood. She walked with her chin up, shoulders back. To anyone else she was the picture of a composed businesswoman in her stylish gray pantsuit. Her hair swung saucily with each step, and her eyes focused on a point straight ahead.

It was only then that he noticed another man walking toward Kate with a pad and pencil in hand. Lucas recognized him as Herb Owens, a reporter for the Mirror, and he made a beeline for Kate.

“Dr. Kate, I’m Herbert Owens from the Mirror. Would you like to make a comment concerning the allegations—”

“No comment.” Kate’s mouth pressed together as she looked away, quickening her steps.

Herb began walking toward her, then met Lucas’s glare and slowed his steps.

Lucas knew when Kate saw him because her rigid features relaxed the slightest bit, her mouth decompressing, her eyes softening. The fact that his presence had that effect on her buoyed Lucas. He grabbed on to the notion, blew it up like an inflatable raft and took a ride on it.