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She could have been referring to work, perhaps a computer crash or some other fashion-related crisis about which he would norreat deal Because he knew she cared And because her business was her livelihood

He didn’t care to be distracted at the h week,” he said, hands in the pockets of his navy pants as he walked into her office as though he’d been there before He didn’t look around Didn’t take in much The smell was nice The space rooht colors He adjusted his tie and shoved his hand right back into his pocket

“I have so what he’d told her in the car

“Okay”

And there he was At the point of no return And couldn’t remember, for a second, why he’d been so sure he had to reach that place Until he glanced at the door he’d entered through and knew he’d be exiting it shortly

“I love you,” he said “I aically, but infor any, nor do I intend to do so, but no one has a right to dictate what’s in my heart”

“I’ve realized sos I’ve let fear”

“I—”

He wasn’t done yet Couldn’t let her distract hi what he’d coetyou to I just had to say what I have to say This whole thingit started out for good purpose, butto see you when I kneas falling in love I fell in love with you not because of the baby you were carrying, but because you’re thewoman I’ve ever known That’s when I should have left I didn’t And now here we are, friends who can’t be in touch because we took it too far I’m sorry for that, too”

“I’m afraid to be a wife”

“I’ her in the eye Needing her to understand badly enough that he illing to take the pain that ca that is wrong for you, Ao on understanding others and not speaking up on ot Tricia’s I respected her position, didn’t want to pressure her, and so I never told her how deeply it affected me Maybe if I had, if I’d explained al protections was concerned, if I’d continued to speak theht have been different Maybe not I’ Or pressure you I don’t want a relationship that doesn’t fit In the long run it would be catastrophic I just needed to say what I had to say So that if you contact me in the future, and I hope you will, just for occasional updates if nothing else, everything is out in the open We all know clearly where we stand”

“I’m afraid”

Their gazes were locked this time as she said the words A sheen appeared in those expressive green-with-a-tint-of-gold eyes Her lip trembled

And his hands started to shake

“I’ Afraid to spread myself too thin To have to choose between a husband and child Afraid I’ll ie I’ I don’t want to try, because I know I doand I’m petrified I’ll screw up”