“What about you? Ever been in love? Married? Almost married?”

Something changed with that question, and as soon as Marcus looked in Addie’s eyes, he regretted asking. She’d been happy, enjoying sharing her life with him. But now there were shutters in her eyes that fell just as he got a glimpse of the pain.

“Once upon a time,” she whispered. “I believed in the fairy tale for me.” She fell silent. He didn’t ask anything more; he didn’t want to twist the knife that she obviously felt.

They’d reached the white picket fence surrounding her yard. He almost asked how a girl who lived in a house with a white picket fence could live in it alone, but he didn’t.

“Thanks for walking with me,” she hastily said and pushed the gate open, just as hastily closing it between them. “Enjoy the rest of your evening.” This time she rushed into the house, not looking back, not even to wave goodbye.

Why did he feel so disappointed?