“I talked to them. I told you I would.” His voice was tight.

What did he have to be angry about when he had another woman there in bed with him? While she’d been crying over him in their honeymoon bed, he’d been—She closed her eyes and shook her head to dislodge the image. She couldn’t bear the thought of it right now.

“My career is riding on this, you know,” she said. “Do they understand the magnitude of—”

“Yes, yes, they understand. Do you think I want to be in the spotlight as the jerk who jilted Dr. Kate at the altar?”

“Well said.”

The silence was deafening. She should hold her tongue; she really should. She was a counselor, for crying out loud. Where was her control?

“I’ll let you go.” Perhaps he’d get the double meaning. “I just wanted to be sure things were taken care of.”

She hung up before she said something she’d regret later. When she set the phone on the coffee table, she realized her hand was shaking.

Bryan was in bed with her. Kate’s Mr. Right in bed with someone else on what was supposed to have been their wedding night. Could life be more unfair? Where did I go wrong, Jesus? I planned so carefully and for what? Now my future hinges on my ex-fiance’s family.

At least he’d made them understand the importance of keeping quiet. That was the main thing. And the articles were positive. Look on the bright side. I’m going to live through this and come out stronger. The year with Lucas would pass quickly, and then she could get on with her life and career.

She realized she hadn’t told Bryan the marriage was temporary, but given the situation, she didn’t want to give him the satisfaction. Let him think she would be bound to Lucas for the rest of her life. Maybe it would make him squirm just a little.

Seven

Seven

Eventually something in the display window might compel you to enter the store. Decide first if you’re ready. And if you are, shop wisely.

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

Kate shrugged off her cover-up, took her list from the tote, and lay belly-down on the beach towel beside Lucas. She squinted against the sun’s reflection on the bright white paper.

“Okay, we need a story. We already told people how we met, but I think we need more details to make it realistic. Your family will probably want to know what we do together. They’ll expect us to know things about each other.”

“I know you take your coffee with cream and sugar.” Lucas leaned back on his elbows a foot away from her. The wind blew his hair away from his face.