But what good would it do to beg? She had to want to stay. She had to want him. He could love her all he wanted, but it had to be her choice.

He closed his mouth, clamping his lips over the words.

“I’m not sure how to say good-bye,” Kate said.

Then don’t. Stay. Stay with me forever.

Kate tucked her silky hair behind her ears. He would miss that simple action.

“Regardless of how this turned out,” she said, “I’m grateful for what you did. I’ve never had anyone go to so much trouble to save my skin.” She tried to smile, but it wobbled on her lips.

It was no trouble. It had been his pleasure. He wished he could save her now, save her career from spiraling out of control. Save their marriage from falling apart.

“I’m sorry I wasn’t able to help your parents,” Kate said. “I hope they’ll work things out.”

Tell her now. Tell her your parents are fine, that it was all a ruse to conceal the fact that you loved her from the beginning. Tell her you love her now and that if she stays, you’ll spend every day proving it.

But he had shown his love every day for the past three months. And still she was leaving.

“Say something.” Her green eyes, a shimmering pool of water, pleaded.

He tried to imagine sleeping in an empty bed, waking to a quiet house, making coffee for one again. The thought hollowed his stomach.

“Is there anything I can say to change your mind?” He would say it, whatever it was. Do you know how much I love you? I’d give anything to call you my own.

Kate looked away, clutching her purse strap. “It’s for the best, Lucas. You’ll see. It’s hard right now, but later . . . later we’ll know it was the right thing.”

“Are you trying to convince me or yourself?”

She checked the time. Her eyes seemed to catch on her fingers. He watched her touch the wedding band he’d bought her, watched her slide it down her finger with the engagement ring. She closed the distance between them, pocketing the engagement ring, and held out the wedding band.

“Keep it,” he said.

She shook her head. “I can’t.”

When he refused to take it, she sighed softly and set the band on the end table. Lucas wanted to snatch it up and force it back on her finger. She was his wife, even if only for a short while longer.

But what good would it do? He couldn’t force her to wear his ring any more than he could force her to stay. Any more than I can force her to love me.

“I have to go.”

Lucas straightened. Have it your way, Kate. “I’ll drive you.”

“You won’t have any way back.”