“It will cut the ties he believes he has to me and our marriage. Oh, he loves me, I’ve no doubt. But I want him to be happy. He’s given me joy for the past forty years, compromising to be what I needed. Now it’s his turn. The only way is to set him free. If he wants to get back together after his journey, we shall.”

He cleared his throat and tapped his pen against the desk. “This is an odd request. I’ve never counseled anyone on legal matters when they’re happy and satisfied with their spouse.”

“It must seem strange to some. You see, love is a funny thing. There are no guarantees, just the day-to-day and the moment. You make vows, hope for the best, and do your damnedest to love the person you’re with. We struggled through childhood cancer with my son, two miscarriages, and my daughter’s divorce. But it always came back to us. Do you understand?”

Slade struggled with the pieces of her story. “No. You went through all that and now you want to separate? How was that possibly worth it? He may leave, and not want you back when he returns. This whole thing would’ve been for nothing.” Anger cut through him, raw and angry. “If he gave you so much, why won’t you go with him? What about your sacrifice? Isn’t he worth it?”

She leaned over the desk and clasped his hand within hers. Slade flinched, startled by her touch and the strength in her slightly gnarled hands. Her brown eyes were filled with peace and knowledge. “I’m dying, Mr. Montgomery. I would do anything to go with him, be by his side while he finally sees the world. But I can’t, and if I tell him, he’ll never leave. I can’t live with that knowledge. So, I will let him go, and when he returns, I’ll give him the truth. But not before he gets what he needs.”

Shock held him immobile. His heart beat faster. She continued speaking, her voice warm. “The possibility of love is worth everything, Mr. Montgomery. Pain, heartbreak, grief. It is the only thing worthwhile to fight for in this life. And though there are never any promises, if one is true and brave enough to give, there will never be regret. If I lost my husband tomorrow, I would be heartbroken, yes, but I’d never regret or change any of my decisions. And I’ve experienced the type of love that transcends death. A love worth sacrifice and someone else’s happiness. My goodness, what are the alternatives? To be safe but alone? That’s not a life; that’s an existence.”

His hand trembled. The realization crashed over him, dragged him through the rocky, watery sand, and threw him into the icy waves.

So stupid. He’d fallen in love for the first time in his life and thrown it away because it didn’t come with a signed contract of success. He set himself up for a life alone when he could have Kate in his bed, her laughter in his ears, and her body under his. He held himself above all others like God and pitied the world for being beneath him.

Yet, he was the one to be pitied. And it might be too late.

“Mrs. White, I have to go. Right now.”

She blinked, pulled her hand away, and nodded. “I understand. Good luck, Mr. Montgomery. Will you file the papers?”

“Yes. I’m sorry. I’ll be in touch.”

He raced out of his office, knowing what he needed to do.


KATE DROVE HOME FROM Mugs, the full moon in the sky ripe and glistening with an orange light that shimmered like magic. Jane and Tim had hooked up at Mugs and barely said a word to anyone else in the place. Their heads close together, silly smiles on their faces, Kate sensed the relationship would proceed rapidly, but this time it would be okay. They were simply meant to be together.

Her heart ached, but she’d gotten used to it, pushing her way through the days and nights on automatic pilot. She pulled up to her house, grabbed her purse, and walked toward the door. Let Robert out, a quick snack, and time to order the new Wilson-Vaughn movie. Probably not as good as Crashers, but if it gave her a chuckle she’d call it a success.

She entered the living room and stopped cold.

Her bag fell from her grip.

“Hi.”

Slade stood before her. Robert sat by his side, not moving to greet her, his body shaking with enthusiasm but refusing to break rank. Kate fought confusion and wondered if she was hallucinating. “W-w-what are you doing here? W-w-where’s your Jag?”

“I parked it up the street. I was afraid you wouldn’t come inside if you saw it.”

“How did you g-g-get in?”

“Arilyn took pity on me. Said she keeps your key in case you need help with Robert.”

Robert panted as if waiting for the big reveal. Kate shook her head, her emotions too raw and bloody to fight. “P-p-please don’t do this to me,” she whispered. “I c-c-c—” Frustrated, her stutter took over and shut down her brain and her calm. The words got stuck in her throat, refusing to emerge, and her body shook for control. He waited her out, not interrupting, not trying to finish her sentence, and finally the inner music and calm broke through the block. “I can’t do this anymore.”

“I know. I won’t. I’ll never do anything to hurt you again, Kate. I just want you to listen to me, though I don’t deserve shit from you. Not after what I pulled.”

Robert wiggled his chest, then settled.

“I wasn’t prepared for you, for what I felt. My entire life and career all I’ve known is not to get stuck in the endless cycle of broken relationships I see day in and day out. I thought I was smart and honest and real by denying them. But I was stupid and scared instead. I love you. I love you with everything I’ve got, and I’m not going away. This time, I’m going to fight for you, beg for your forgiveness, prove my worth. I’m not going anywhere ever again, until one day you can look into my face and trust me completely. Know that I’m not running and that I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”

The words were too much, and hope shimmered in the distance like a mirage. “What changed your mind now? Why? Are we going to have sex, and then in the morning you decide again you need to protect me and yourself? How can I trust you?”

He tightened his jaw. “Because I’ll prove it. Starting tonight. I got you a present.”

She covered her eyes with her hands and let out a humorless laugh. “I don’t think flowers and candy can fix this, Slade.”

“I know. But maybe this can show what I see for us. Robert?”

Robert barked twice and turned. Dragging his legs, she watched him run into the living room and scramble up a ramp, plopping his body on a full recliner. Her mouth dropped open as she gazed at the object. Lower to the ground, the ramp led up to plush cushions that reclined back and supported his rear legs. The bunny lay beside him in tattered remains, his face filled with doggy joy.

“It’s a specialized recliner just for him,” Slade explained. “It’s orthopedic, and has a heat control and his own remote. And this one’s yours.” He pointed to the brand-new leather chair beside Robert’s. Dark chocolate, soft to the touch, Kate stroked her hand over the backrest while her heart thundered. “Fully equipped with all the buttons you need.”

“You bought me a recliner.” Kate stared at the chair, a symbol of something bigger and deeper than any ring could ever promise. Afraid to break the spell, she noticed the second chair edged up close to the first. “There’s another one.”

“That’s mine.” Her head rotated. Jungle-green eyes filled with love and determination gazed back into hers. “Because I’m not going anywhere ever again, Kate. I want to sit next to you and watch movies with Robert. I want to sink between your thighs every day, make you coffee every morning, and cuddle up with you every night, under that ratty afghan with a stocked DVR. I want a life with you, a real life, with the day-to-day shit and a partner to share it all with. I love you, Kate Seymour. I think I loved you the moment you electrocuted me and told me to go away. The only question left is, will you give me a chance?”

Joy broke through and flooded the doubts. She looked at the matching recliners, at Robert’s happy face, and knew she was ready to take her own chance.

“Yes. I love you, Slade. I’m not letting you go again.”

He pulled her in tight and kissed her. Hungry, deep thrusts claimed her as his. The familiar fire hit and heated their blood, softened their muscles, and they melted into one another, surrendering as soul mates.

“No more trying to match me with other women?” he murmured, kissing her cheeks and burying his fingers in her hair.

“You finally met your match, counselor.”

“That I did. Now let’s seal the deal.”

Kate laughed as he scooped her up and walked to the bedroom.


“YOU LOOK WAY TOO happy. In fact, it’s a bit sappy, even for you. And what’s up with all the recliners? I feel like I dropped into a man cave.”

Kate grinned, stretched out, and turned her head to the left. “You’re just jealous David got you a ring and no household furniture. Pop a squat and see why it’s worth everything.”

“Fine. But my ring is damn gorgeous and—holy hell, this thing should be illegal. Can I adjust the heat?” Kate laughed and tossed her the remote. Gen sighed and stretched luxuriously. “Slade won’t get upset I’m in his chair, right?”

Kate snorted. “His hours have been insane since partnership, but I think he’s beginning to get a handle on it. He’s working a difficult case with a single father and putting in extra hours to make it up to the firm.”

“Why?”

Kate beamed. “Because he’s not charging him. And I learned not to piss my man off in court. He’s a shark and a bear rolled into one.”

“I can’t believe he gave up his Tribeca apartment. I thought he hated Verily.”