Marriage by Mistake

home with me. It—it makes sense. You know it does. We're married. We made vows. We—we get along. There is no reason—" Dean's eyes narrowed. "No reason we shouldn't be together."
    Kelly still couldn't breathe. Not a divorce. He didn't want to talk about separation. He wanted her back! She felt a moment of supreme elation.
    Then Kirk started to laugh. "You want her back?" Dean glared daggers at the man but Kirk went on. "Because you get along ? Because it's reasonable ?"
    "Yes," Dean retorted, a hiss.
    Kirk laughed again. "As a beg, son, that hardly cuts it."
    Though her heart was still racing, Kelly felt brought up short. Kirk was right. Dean wanted her to come home...because it was reasonable ? Where was love in this equation? Where was trust? Oh, he hadn't changed, not one little whit. And she hadn't changed, either. She'd been so impressed she'd nearly fallen right into his stubborn arms. Kelly narrowed her eyes. "You tell me," she asked Dean. "Is that it?"
    Dean's blue eyes were nearly black as he stared at her. "You need something more?"
    Kelly stared back at him. Inside she was shaking. She wanted to tell him, 'No, I don't need a thing more, only you.' She wanted to feel his arms, strong and sure, around her. But her brain was whirling. She had to withstand the temptation.
    Didn't she?
    She had to stand up for what she deserved, which was something other than what Dean offered her.
    Wasn't it?
    Suddenly the determination that had defined Dean's face stripped away. The expression left was raw anguish. "Forget it," he muttered. "I never should have—" He shook his head and turned away, making for the door.
    The door. Kelly's body jerked in reaction. Wait! She didn't want him to go. At least that's what her heart was shouting.
    She felt herself stiffen into immobility, for she was supposed to doubt her heart, wasn't she?
    Before Kelly could decide what she should or shouldn't do, Dean was out the door. He was gone.
    "Booted him," Kirk said, and gave a low whistle. "Wish I knew how to do that."
    ~~~
    Dean rushed down the stairs of Kelly's third-story walk-up and ran right past his rental car parked on the street. He wanted to get away, as far and as fast as possible.
    Stupid. He was an idiot. And a coward. The minute he'd seen Kelly—and then his father—every well-rehearsed speech had gone flying out the window. He'd simply been overcome by all he wanted. All he needed. Come home . How more brutish could he have gotten?
    Already breathing hard, Dean started to run. He felt a pressure increasing in his chest, choking up his throat. He'd botched it. His one chance and he'd thoroughly botched it. He could still see Kirk smirking at him. And Kelly, her face so...disappointed.
    And why shouldn't she have been disappointed? He hadn't told her anything important.
    Dean ran until he was out of breath. On a street corner under a giant plastic donut, he bent over, gasping for air and hating himself.
    Then he heard her voice. It was way down the sidewalk. "Dean!" She sounded breathless but determined.
    At first, still bent over, he didn't believe his senses. It couldn't be Kelly. That would mean she'd come running after him and she wouldn't have done that, not after his terrible performance in her apartment.
    "Dean!" somebody shouted again, and this time she was much closer. Skeptical, Dean straightened. Disbelieving, he turned.
    Ten feet down the deserted sidewalk from him Kelly stumbled to a stop. She was still in her bathrobe, her hair was wild, and there was a crazy look in her eyes. She was panting.
    No , Dean thought. But there she was right in front of him. Beautiful, sweet, and unattainable. He felt his throat work but nothing came out.
    She didn't say anything, either, just looked at him. All of Dean's wishes, all his desires, his everything, was standing there in the person of this woman. He thought he was going to explode if somebody didn't say something. "How are you?" he finally managed to croak out.
    Kelly looked incredulous. "What?"
    "How are you?" Dean took a deep breath. "That's what I really came out here to find out. I know I hurt you two weeks ago. I—I wanted to make sure you were all right."
    Kelly's eyes widened.
    Dean saw her surprise and a ragged laugh escaped him. "Kind of hard to believe, huh? I—I guess I didn't leave you with the impression I cared." His voice lowered. "But I do."
    Kelly continued to stare at him. Her disbelief launched another arrow into Dean's already aching heart. He