Page 40 of Can't Fight the Moonlight

"What's going on? Or would you rather not say?"

"We're having problems."

"I'm sorry. I had hoped things were getting better."

"They're getting worse." Chloe drew in a breath. "I saw a text on his phone, Lizzie. I think there might be another woman."

Shock ran through her. "Are you sure?"

"No, I'm not sure. But something is going on, and he won't talk about it."

"Did you ask him about the text?"

"Not yet. Adam thinks I should confront him. But Kevin has had a hard year since he was captured and injured and sent home to recover. He's not himself. I don't know if I will push him into a conversation I don't really want to have." She paused. "I have a son to consider. I can't break up this family over a stupid text."

"You know how much I hate admitting that Adam is always right, but he's right. You have to talk to Kevin."

"What if he's having an affair? What if he wants to leave? What if he gets so angry, he just flips out?"

"Is that a possibility? Are you scared of Kevin?"

"No. That's not what I meant. He would never hurt me, but his temper is much sharper than it used to be, and his words hurt. I sometimes feel like he's trying to drive me away. If we break up, he can go back to the army when he clears medical and not feel guilty about it. That's what he really wants. I asked him to get out, but he can't quite commit to doing that. He misses his team. He doesn't feel like he has a life here."

"He has you and Leo and his parents and this diner."

"He hates the diner. His parents always wanted him to run it, but he never wanted to. He asked me if I'd move somewhere else with him. I said I'd consider it, but we'd have to figure out what we would do for jobs. Sorry. I shouldn't be dumping all this on you. You have your own problems."

"That doesn't mean I can't care about you. I think you have to find out what's really going on with Kevin, even if it hurts."

"It's so easy to say that, but you don't have a child."

"That's a good point. I'm not in your shoes, and I don't know how you feel. But I have been in a relationship that wasn't honest, and it never ends well. If he is having an affair, you need to deal with it, and if he's not, then you can move past that idea and work on the rest."

"You're right. I just have to decide if I can do it. You Coles are pretty smart."

"Adam is definitely smarter than me, but I have my moments."

"I don't know why you'd say that, Lizzie. Sometimes you don't give yourself enough credit."

She shrugged. "I had to follow in the footsteps of four siblings who were much more brilliant than me. Even Chelsea, who only ever wanted to sing, got through school with much better grades. I have street smarts, but not book smarts."

"Sometimes that's more important."

She took a sip of coffee. "I think you should come to my party tonight. Leave Kevin at home if he doesn't want to participate. Keira will be there—Hannah, too. I'm going to make margaritas."

"I do love a good margarita. I'll see. If I get the courage up, I may ask Kevin to take a walk with me and see if we can figure things out."

"Whatever is best," she said. "I better get back to the inn. Call me anytime, if you need to talk, or text me. I'm here for you."

"You're very generous, Lizzie."

"And you're my friend. That's what friends do."

"Speaking of friends, that man you were with last night…very handsome."

She saw the gleam in Chloe's eyes. "Yes, Justin is attractive. No doubt about that."

"And…"

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