Page 79 of Nine Months to Love

She nods slowly. “Okay. Dr. Whitehead it is. What about equipment? We’ll need new incubators, microscopes, the works.”

We spend the next hour going through lists. Cami’s right—it’s madness. Equipment, supplies, staffing needs, patient intake protocols… the list never ends. It’s overwhelming and exciting and terrifying all at once.

This is what I’ve always wanted. A clinic where I can do things my way. Here, I can help people without worrying about making rent or pleasing investors who don’t understand the work.

But it’s also Stefan’s money making it possible. His influence that got me the partnership in the first place.

And I still don’t know how to feel about that.

“Earth to Olivia,” Camille says, waving a hand in front of my face.

“Sorry. What?”

“I asked if you wanted to schedule a meeting with the hospital board next week. To go over the timeline.”

“Yes. That sounds good.”

She taps something into her tablet. “Done. Now, let’s talk about the fun stuff: interior design. We need to make the space welcoming, professional, not too clinical. I’m thinking softcolors, comfortable furniture, maybe some nice art on the walls. What are your thoughts on jade green?”

“I trust your judgment.”

“Good, because I’ve already been looking at paint samples.” She pulls up a folder on her tablet and starts showing me options. Alongside the green, she’s also chosen soft blues, warm grays, pale yellows.

I nod along, only half paying attention. My mind keeps drifting back to Stefan. Part of me wonders if he’s been as forthcoming as he claims he was. I can’t help but suspect he’s lying. It’s in the way his eyes shift when he talks about his mother, the tension in his shoulders. If not lying, then he’s hiding something.

But I’m hiding things, too. Like the fact that I’m still thinking about Natalia. Still wondering if there’s a way to fix what’s broken between her and Stefan.

“Liv? You’re doing it again. Space cadet status.”

“Sorry.”

Camille sets down her tablet and looks at me. “What’s going on? And don’t say ‘nothing,’ because I know you better than that.”

I hesitate. How much can I tell her? How much should I tell her? “It’s… complicated,” I finally say.

“It always is with you.”

“I just... I’m trying to figure out how to move forward.”

“Are you having second thoughts? About the partnership?”

“No. Not about that.”

“About Stefan?”

I shake my head. “Not exactly. It’s just that there’s so much I don’t know about him. So much he won’t tell me.”

“Have you asked him?”

“Yes. But he deflects. Or he gives me partial truths. It’s like he can’t help himself.”

Camille is quiet for a moment. “Do you love him?”

The unexpected question flusters me. “I... I don’t know.”

“Yes, you do. C’mon. It’s like ripping off a Band-Aid. The faster and cleaner you get it over with, the easier it is.”

“I think I do,” I say quietly. “But I don’t know if that’s enough.”