“You know it wouldn’t work, Lucas,” She said. “And even if you don’t know it, I do.” She felt him watching her and wanted to run now, far away.

“What was last night?”

“Nothing happened.”

“Something almost happened.” The edge of hurt in his voice broke her.

If it had been up to her, it would’ve. No matter what, no matter that she was leaving, no matter that it was over, she wouldn’t leave him thinking he meant nothing to her.

She was touching his face before she knew what she was doing. “Oh, Lucas. You’re so special, but you were right. I would’ve regretted it.” The words jammed her throat. Her eyes burned.

He turned away, leaving her hand to fall on empty space.

Lucas walked away, putting space between them. Kate’s touch had too much power. He would be lost if she touched him again. How could she leave if she felt anywhere near what he did? The thought of being without her ripped him in half, worse in some ways than Emily’s death. That loss had been no one’s choice, something that just happened. If Kate left him, it would be of her own choosing.

But maybe she didn’t feel the way he did. He knew she had feelings, but maybe the depth of his love was . . . unrequited. Such a proper term for such a painful feeling.

“Lucas?”

He needed to change her mind. If she would only give me a chance, God. He faced her again, and now that he saw her watery eyes, he wanted to be close to her again, holding her. But he couldn’t think with her in his arms.

“Stay here, Kate. There’s something between us; won’t you stay long enough to figure out what it is?”

She wet her lips and swallowed. “I told you about my parents—about their differences and how miserable they were. What I didn’t tell you was how it ripped my mom apart when they divorced.”

She looked out the window, and the daylight lit half her face. “Even though it was her choice, she couldn’t be without him. She started drinking.” Kate gave a wry smile. “Of course, I didn’t understand it at the time. But I know now she was using the alcohol to escape reality. And the reality was, she couldn’t live with my dad and she couldn’t live without him. She was miserable either way. What kind of hope is there in that?”

“We’re not your parents, Kate.”

“We’re just like my parents. Opposites in every way. I don’t think I could’ve found someone less compatible. I should’ve followed my own advice and distanced myself before there were—feelings.”