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could ask him for a hint, for an idea about what might be so serious, Dayne’s attorney returned to the room. The prosecutor was right behind him.
    “Look-” Joe checked his watch-“I have to call the office before my flight.” He pointed at Katy. “Let’s stay in touch over the next few months. The trial should be the first week of May.”
    Dayne stood and shook his hand. “I’ll keep it open.”
    “Me too.” When Katy stood, her shoulder brushed against Dayne’s. The contact felt forbidden and wonderful, and it made her realize how much she’d missed him.
    She took a step to the side, her cheeks warmer than before. She, too, shook the attorney’s hand. “I’ll wait to hear from you.”
    The prosecuting attorney nodded. “I might need you both before then. I’ll let you know.”
    “Call me first.” Joe chuckled. “That’s one client who doesn’t do anything without someone from the firm at his side.”
    “No problem.” The prosecutor raised her file in their direction. “I’ll be in touch.” She slipped her briefcase beneath her arm and left.
    As the door opened, Katy caught a glimpse of a crowd in the lobby.
    “They found you.” Joe grinned as the door closed again.
    22
    “Man, they don’t ever let up. You got about fifty of’em out there, Dayne.
    Someone at the desk must’ve seen you come in.”
    “Photographers?” Dayne leaned against the edge of the table. He looked more frazzled than before.
    “Fans, I think. Probably a mix. Either way, there’s a car outside waiting for you.” Joe moved toward the door and turned to Katy. “Better wait until Dayne’s been gone awhile before leaving.” He motioned to another door. “That one leads to the bank of elevators.”
    “Fine. I’m going to my room from here.”
    “Wait at least ten minutes.” Joe frowned at Dayne. “Don’t you think?”
    Dayne slid his hands in his pants pockets. He sighed, and the sound of it filled the room. “Of course.”
    Joe patted Dayne’s shoulder. “I’ll call you.”
    “Thanks.” Dayne sounded defeated, beyond tired.
    As Joe shut the door behind him, Katy studied Dayne. She could almost read his mind. What sort of life was it if he couldn’t spend an hour with a friend, if he couldn’t leave a hotel meeting room without making plans to be discreet? She rested against the table too, careful to keep at least a few inches between them. “Crazy.”
    “Yeah.” He shrugged, his eyes still on the door. “I tried to tell you.” He cocked his head, his expression softer than before. “It comes with the territory.”
    He was right. Hollywood was full of people obsessed with a life like Dayne’s, drawing seven figures for a film, comfortably at the top of the industry’s A-list of actors. But Łhe dream came with a price.
    She crossed her arms. “Sounds like you better go.”
    His bottle of water was still on the table. He took it and downed what was left of it. Then he straightened and faced her. “I’m sorry.”
    23
    “Don’t be.” Katy swallowed. Her throat suddenly felt thick, and she worked to find the words. “You can’t help it.”
    “Still …”A handful of emotions played out in his expression-frustration, anger, resignation, and finally a longing that was unmistakable. He closed the gap between them, and for a moment he looked as if he might kiss her. But instead he pulled her into a hug. “This isn’t how I wanted today to go.” When he spoke, his voice sounded strained, as if maybe regret was throwing itself into the mix of feelings tearing at him.
    “Me, either.” She slid her arms around his neck and allowed the hug to linger.
    This, their embrace, was wrong, wasn’t it? Letting her feelings show this way could never erase the fact that they didn’t belong together, that they were too different in every way that mattered. Back home in Bloomington she had trouble convincing herself there was nothing wrong with the feelings she had for Dayne Matthews. The same was true