"Oh, fine," Kate sighed, like it was a hardship. It wasn't. "Have it your way, Nathan who is not a puppet. Don't lie, don't tell the truth, don't do anything. I think I'm gonna go for a walk along the beach. Maybe call my little boyfriend guy."

Zach, at least, would tell her he missed her; she was sure of that.

She gave the ocean view another look, then sent an easy smile his way. "For the record, I would miss you. But that might be a lie."