Chapter Three - Kate
CHAPTER THREE
Kate
The zipper rasped open on James’s suitcase, the sound sharp and final in the quiet morning light.
Kate leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed loosely over her chest, watching as he folded crisp button-down shirts into perfect squares, smoothing each one like he was preparing for battle instead of a three-day work trip.
Something felt…off.
James hadn’t been quite himself lately. Distracted. Shorter with the kids, quieter with her.
But this morning? It was worse.
He hadn’t kissed her when he got out of bed. Not really. Just a peck, more like a habit than intention, and then he’d disappeared into the shower before she could even wish him good luck on his presentation.
“Do you have enough socks?” she asked, trying for lightness.
His hands stilled for half a beat, then he nodded without looking up. “Yeah. Packed them last night.”
Packed them last night.
Which was…unlike him. He usually threw everything together last-minute, rushing through the morning chaos. But there he was, neatly folding each item with mechanical precision.
Kate stepped closer, leaning into the bedpost, trying to read his mood. “You okay? You seem...tense.”
James shook his head. “I’m fine. Just thinking about the meetings.”
Liar.
She knew him too well. There was something deeper, something he wasn’t saying.
Kate let the silence stretch, then exhaled softly, pushing off the bedpost. She reached for the hem of her shirt, tugging it over her head in one fluid motion and letting it drop onto the edge of the bed.
James stilled.
For a heartbeat, his gaze flicked up. Met hers.
Kate offered a slow, hopeful smile. “Maybe I can help with that tension?”
She moved closer and pressed her palm lightly against his chest. His expression steady but…distant. Guarded.
When his eyes dropped—just briefly—to the lace of her bra, Kate felt a flicker of relief.
She stretched up, brushing a kiss along his jaw, lingering just long enough to feel the roughness of his stubble. She let her other hand drift lower, resting over his waistband with unmistakable intent.
James didn’t lean into her. He didn’t relax the way he normally did when she touched him like this.
Instead, his body tensed.
He stepped back— back —just enough to break contact, his gaze dropping as if he couldn’t quite meet hers.
James cleared his throat and gently—but firmly—pried her hand from his chest, stepping back just enough to break the contact.
“Kate,” he said, voice quiet, guarded. “The kids are home.”
She blinked, her face heating.
The kids?
They were downstairs. Eating breakfast. That had never stopped them before.
James turned back to the suitcase, zipping it shut with a sharp, final sound.
“I really need to focus on this trip,” he added, his voice softer now. “I’ll call you tonight, okay?”
Kate stood there, arms crossing over her stomach, her heart sinking in a way that felt heavier than embarrassment.
The kids weren’t the reason. She knew that.
James grabbed his wallet and keys from the dresser. She waited, hoping— waiting —for him to turn around, to give her something more than a strained goodbye.
But he was already halfway out the door when she said, voice gentle but hopeful, “Hey, I’ve been thinking…what if I came with you? To New York.”
That got his attention.
He paused, blinking at her like he hadn’t quite processed the words.
Kate offered a smile, stepping closer again, keeping her voice warm. “I mean, it’s been forever since we’ve had a night away together. No kids. Just us. I could meet you there after your meetings. We could have dinner, maybe stay an extra night?”
For a flicker of a second, something flashed in his expression—was that panic?
But it was gone so fast she couldn’t tell.
“Kate…” He turned in her arms, holding her waist now, gaze meeting hers with the softness she’d been missing all morning. “I would love that.”
She blinked, heart lifting.
“Really?”
His smile was small but genuine. “Of course I would. A night away? No kids, just us? That sounds amazing.”
Warmth spread through her chest. Maybe she’d been imagining the distance. Maybe it really was just stress.
“But…” he added gently.
Kate’s stomach dipped.
“I just—it’s too last minute, babe. You’d have to find someone to watch the kids. And Leah’s already helping next weekend. Plus, the meetings will run late. I’d hate for you to be stuck alone in the hotel half the trip while I’m swamped with work.”
Kate shook her head, the smile lingering on her lips. “That doesn’t bother me, James. I wouldn’t mind waiting. You’ve been working so hard, and I thought—”
“I know.” His thumb brushed her hip, voice soft but reasonable. Too reasonable. “But it’s just…it’s a lot to ask of you. Lily’s got that choir thing this week. And Noah—”
“I can handle it,” she said quickly. “I don’t mind making it work. The kids will be fine for one night. They’re older now. It’s not like when they were little.”
James’s smile stayed, but there was something heavier behind it now, like he was gently closing the door on the idea. “I know you could, Kate. You always do. But you deserve a trip we actually plan , not something rushed and stressful like this. Okay? We’ll make time soon. I promise.”
She nodded, pressing a kiss to his cheek. “You’re right. It was just a thought. I’ll hold down the fort here.”
James smiled again, softer, leaning down to kiss her fully this time. Slow. Real.
“Thank you,” he murmured.
Kate watched him from the kitchen as he grabbed his suitcase, waving goodbye to the kids and giving her a light brush of his lips.
The door closed behind him with a quiet click .
Maybe the logistics were hard. Maybe it was last minute. But if he was stressed and worn down like he seemed—then wouldn’t it be worth it to show up for him?
He would love it.
A surprise.
No kids. No routines.
Just them, the way they used to be before life got so complicated.
The idea settled deeper in her chest, warm and certain.
She could make it happen.
She’d call Leah to watch the kids. She’d book her own flight.
She didn’t mind making those sacrifices at all.
It would all be worth it when James opened his hotel door and saw her standing there.
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The doorbell rang just as Kate finished double-checking her overnight bag.
Perfect timing.
She zipped the small suitcase closed, smoothing her hands over the soft fabric before hurrying downstairs. Leah stood on the porch, holding a reusable coffee cup and wearing her signature oversized sunglasses.
“Hey, sis,” Leah greeted, stepping inside, her eyes sweeping over Kate’s perfectly curled hair and the overnight bag at her feet. “Wow. Hope your husband appreciates all this effort. Off to seduce him in some fancy hotel suite, huh?”
Kate rolled her eyes, ignoring the comment as she gestured Leah further inside. “Thanks for coming. The kids are upstairs finishing homework. Noah has his phone glued to his face, as usual, and Lily’s supposed to read for thirty minutes before bed. Emphasis on ‘supposed.’”
Leah gave a dramatic sigh, placing her coffee cup on the kitchen counter. “Right. Responsible aunt mode activated. Should I prepare for pre-teen meltdowns or emotional teenage angst?”
Kate laughed. “They’re fine, Leah. I’m not leaving for a week. Just overnight.”
“Still. You’re surprising James while he’s on a business trip? Very…intimate.” Leah's eyes narrowed slightly, lips curving into a smirk. “Let me guess. New lingerie in the bag?”
Heat bloomed in Kate’s cheeks as she turned to the fridge, grabbing a sticky note with the emergency numbers she'd written out earlier. “You’re ridiculous. But yes, I wanted to do something special. Things have been so…busy lately. With the kids, his work. We’ve barely had time for just us.”
Leah leaned against the counter, arms crossed, her smirk softening. “That’s sweet. Really. I admire your optimism.”
Kate frowned, setting the note on the counter. “Optimism?”
Leah shrugged, swirling what was left of her coffee. “You know me. I’m just saying…all this effort for a grand romantic gesture after how many years? It’s a lot of work to keep the spark alive for that long.”
Kate blinked, heart tightening in a way she hadn’t expected. “It’s not work, Leah. I want to make him feel special. We still make each other feel special.”
“Sure.” Leah’s voice softened but didn’t lose that note of gentle skepticism. “You’re lucky, Kate. I mean that. Not everyone finds someone they can actually make it last with. I’ve tried. More than once.”
Kate exhaled, leaning against the counter. “That’s different. You’ve never really—” She stopped, choosing her words carefully. “You don’t…stay.”
Leah’s smile thinned. “And maybe I’m realistic. People change. People get bored. Staying together forever? I don’t know. It sounds nice in theory, but how do you know James won’t get restless one day?”
Kate laughed. “James isn’t like that.”
“Of course not.” Leah held up her hands, her tone placating but not entirely sincere. “I’m not saying he would. I’m just saying you two got together so young. You’ve never known anything else. It works for you, but—”
“It’s not luck, ” Kate interrupted, heat creeping into her voice now. “We choose each other every day. It’s not some fairy tale, Leah. It’s real. And yeah, it takes effort, but we’re solid.”
Leah’s expression softened, as if she hadn’t expected the flare of emotion. “Okay. Okay. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to rain on your surprise getaway. Honestly, I’m jealous. I hope it’s everything you want it to be.”
Kate swallowed, forcing herself to relax, to let the tension go. Leah wasn’t trying to be cruel. She was just…guarded. Wounded in ways she never fully talked about.
“Thank you,” Kate said quietly. “I know you’re just looking out for me. But we’re good. I wouldn’t be doing this if we weren’t.”
Leah nodded, offering a small smile. “I get it. Go make your husband feel like the luckiest guy on the planet. I’ll hold down the fort.”
Kate managed a smile in return, stepping back toward the stairs. “Thank you. I left a list on the fridge if you need anything. I’ll be back tomorrow night. Probably.”
Leah raised an eyebrow. “Probably?”
Kate shrugged, teasing now. “Depends how distracted James keeps me.”
Leah laughed, waving her off. “Get out of here, romance novel heroine. I got this.”