She hated that she would deliver it. “I’m leaving the island.” She measured his reaction and came away with nothing. “Now that the word is out about . . . our marriage, there’s no reason for me to stay.”

Kate’s chest pounded with the force of her heartbeats, walloping her ribs like a prizefighter. She waited for his response—and got nothing but silence.

“I need to get away.” She filled the gap. “I’m too accessible here, anyway, to the press. I think if I go away somewhere, this will die down more quickly.”

It occurred to her that she was leaving Lucas to deal with the press, with all the locals and their questioning glances. She was sorry for that, but staying wouldn’t make it easier. People would talk even if she stayed.

She wished she could interpret his expression, but the light from the kitchen silhouetted him. She kept talking. “If there’s anything left of my career when this is over, maybe I can open another counseling service.” She tried to sound upbeat, but the words fell flat. She imagined driving away, leaving Lucas behind. Never seeing him again. Her throat closed off.

“Are you going back to him?”

It took Kate a moment to realize what Lucas was asking. “No.” She shook her head emphatically. “Bryan is—It’s over between us.” Hadn’t Lucas heard her telling Bryan to leave?

“He doesn’t seem to think so.”

“I don’t have feelings for him anymore. I wouldn’t have—” Almost slept with you if I did. If she finished the thought, it would raise the subject she wanted to avoid.

“Wouldn’t have . . . ?”

Her mind went back to the night before, returning like a dehydrated woman to a spring of fresh water. Kate knew she’d never wipe those kisses from the slate of her memory. She crossed her arms, hugging her waist.

“I’m going to stay with my dad awhile,” she said, avoiding his question. “In Maryland. Hopefully the scandal will fade quickly.”

He walked toward her, and she tensed with each step. But he stopped an arm’s length away. She could see his face now, lit by the light seeping through the window behind her.

“You could stay here . . .”

Did he know how tempting it was, with him looking at her that way? His eyes burning a path straight to her heart? It was the first time either of them had hinted at making the marriage permanent. It took courage for him to verbalize the idea that had floated between them for days. Now that he said it aloud, it had a pull stronger than a riptide.

Kate tore her eyes away. Be strong. Think with your head, not your heart. Think of your parents. Think of what you’ve learned from all your experience.