A distant clattering woke Kate. She stirred, stretching her limbs before opening her eyes. The room was dark, and she tried to get her bearings as the events of the day before emerged, rising like a tsunami out of a still sea.

She’d married Lucas.

She was on her honeymoon.

Kate closed her eyes, wishing for the oblivion of slumber again. Maybe she could fall back asleep. For a year.

Another noise, a quiet clinking, disrupted her efforts. Apparently Lucas woke before the break of dawn. She rolled over and tugged the duvet over her head, but moments later the rich aroma of brewing coffee beckoned her. She pushed the cover down and sat up against the heap of pillows, untangling her legs from the sheets.

“Sorry,” Lucas whispered from the wet bar. “Didn’t mean to wake you.”

Kate rubbed her eyes. Her lids felt heavy and swollen. “You’re forgiven. Especially if you made enough for me.” She needed it right now just to keep her eyes open.

He turned on a light over the bar. “How do you take yours?”

“Cream and sugar.” What she’d really like was some good espresso, but the coffee should be decent in a fancy hotel like this. “Do you always rise so early?”

She heard the splash of coffee into the cup. “Yep.”

Great. She hoped he didn’t expect her to talk in the morning.

Before she could make her legs work, he brought her a mug. “Thanks.”

He’d apparently already showered and dressed. His wet hair hung in strings beside his face. The five o’clock shadow was back.

She took a sip. It was good for regular coffee. Strong enough to wake her at least. For the rest, they had cappuccino and lattes at the restaurant. She’d made certain of that before she’d made the reservation.

As she sipped the brew, her mind kicked into gear. She thought about the wedding and Lucas’s family. She thought about the media and the articles coming out in today’s papers. What would they say?

Then she thought about Bryan. Was he planning to marry this other woman? Why hadn’t she asked who it was? Maybe he’d realize he made a mistake and break up with the mystery woman. Why hadn’t Kate told him this marriage with Lucas was temporary? Maybe she and Bryan could still be together someday.

“What’s on the agenda today?” Lucas’s voice startled her.

She sipped her coffee. “What makes you think there’s an agenda?”

He gave her that lazy half-smile. “Because you’re Kate Lawrence.” The smile faltered. “Well. Guess you’re not anymore.”