Come on, Kate. Feelings don’t evaporate simply because you’ve been betrayed. She knew it was true. All she had to do was remember Mrs. Hornsby and all the other victims of unfaithful spouses she’d counseled. But couldn’t she just be mad without her internal therapist kicking in?

“Well, I suppose your career can’t be damaged any more than it already was.”

No, but Kate had hoped the public humiliation was over. She’d hoped to fade from the public eye and return to private counseling. The last thing she needed was to have the scandal revived. She’d thought if anyone would betray her to the media, it would’ve been Bryan.

She’d never thought for a minute Lucas would cave to the pressure.

Thirty-Two

Thirty-Two

Love is full of surprises.

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

Kate tidied the kitchen, then straightened the seasonings on the wooden rack. Two more minutes. Each one passed like a turtle on Valium.

All day she’d tried to reach Lucas. When she called the shop, Ethan said he was out, yet he didn’t answer at home. No one picked up at his parents’ house, and her e-mails went unanswered. They were probably embarrassed by Lucas’s betrayal. But maybe they’d been interviewed too. Maybe they were splitting the bounty and taking a trip to Europe to celebrate.

A dish towel fell to the floor and Kate kicked it, leaving it crumpled between the fridge and cabinet. No one from Rosewood had returned her calls either. She’d phoned Ronald first thing that morning, but he hadn’t been able to reach Paul or Chloe. It seemed she had become persona non grata. They had to know about the exclusive. They were probably angry with her for letting it happen. As if I had a choice.

“Kate, it’s coming on,” her dad called from the living room.

Kate entered the room where her dad perched on the edge of the brown sofa, his elbows on his knees.

Kate sat beside him and hugged the chenille pillow to her stomach. A barrier for the coming sucker punch.

The NewsWire theme song played as the logo appeared. They showed previews of the upcoming segments, including the same preview she’d seen the night before. The first segment began, but it wasn’t Lucas’s.

When they cut to a commercial. Kate released her breath. “I hope it’s not last.”

Her dad crossed his legs at the knee. “It might be.”

She’d waited all day, a nervous ball of energy. Why hadn’t Lucas returned her calls? Why hadn’t anyone returned them? Was he too ashamed to face her? He should be.

“Want some coffee?” Her dad asked. “I can put on a pot.”

Kate shook her head. “I feel like I could run across water as it is.”