Page 127 of Six Month Wife

If you lovesteamy doctor one-night stands and second chances at love, check out Doctor Second Chance, the first standalone book in the Doctor Feel Good Series. Dr. Shep Duncan is a single father with a fierce protector vibe.

Who knew a trip to the ER in a strange city would bring me face-to-face with the man who shattered my world a decade ago?

A freak accident lands me in an unfamiliar hospital. The last person I expect to see is Shep, my ex from another lifetime.

The moment our eyes lock, the world stops turning. The same burning connection between us is still there, only now I hate him with every fiber of my being.

He chose med school in another city over me, breaking promises and my heart. Now, here in the flesh, there is an intensity in him that still makes me wet.

Stuck in his city for rehab, I can't escape him or my feelings. Each touch and lingering glance erodes my defenses, devouring my resolve.

As I recover, Shep's unwavering support forces me to reconsider everything. Can I leave thepast behind and make it work, or is there too much baggage and distance to undo the past?

Sneak peekof Chapter 1

Saturday,July 6

Isabella’s House, Birmingham, AL

Five of usfrom college are here, executing my party battle plan for our friend’s engagement party like it’s a military operation. Because if we don’t nail tonight, I won’t sleep, wondering why everyone else gets a love story, and I’m always organizing the backdrop… and somehow screwing that up too.

“I don’t want it to be fine. I want it to be perfect,” I tell Sophie as she wrestles with the lights.

“It’s a backyard party, Elle. Not a royal wedding.”

The Birmingham heat clings to me like a second skin as I nudge the terracotta pot a quarter inch to the left. The ferns still look wrong, though, and I can’t figure out why.

A horn blares in the distance, breaking the spell for a second. This yard might look peaceful, but we’re still in the city, and being here stirs up more complicated feelings than I’m ready to unpack. Mostly because he’s somewhere out there, probably living his best life while I’m sweating through my tank top, alphabetizing cocktail napkins.

God, even now, ten years later, just being in this city makes me think of him.

Izzy’s getting her happily ever after. I’m the best friend who’s making sure it photographs well.

At least I’ve got that.

“It’s Izzy’s night,” I say again. “She deserves perfection.”

I nudge the pot again. If I can get it just right, maybe the rest of my life will follow.

I plant my hands on my hips and let my gaze sweep over the yard.

“Elley-Bell. We’ve been at this for over four hours.” Charity wipes sweat from her forehead. “Everyone is exhausted, and it’s hot as hell. Don’t you think we’re done? I mean, it looks good to me. Better than good.”

I know most people don’t have my insane meticulousness, but this is the one party we are throwing for our best friend. I want to tell them to suck it up, but I smile instead.

“We’re so close, y’all. This looks amazing. Seriously. Just a few more touches and we can call it. Deal?”

Vic, our most dramatic male friend in our group, groans from the bar as he swipes his hat on the bar. “Why does that sound exactly like what you said an hour ago? Is this someSeverancenightmare?”

Charity laughs. “God, I’m obsessed with that show. The goats still haunt me.”

"Right? And Milchick? I swear he's way more involved than we know."

“I’m counting down the days to the next drop,” Charity says, fanning herself with a napkin. “Obsessed doesn’t even cover it.”

“What are y’all talking about?” I eye the runner on the table, half interested.

“Severance,Apple TV+,” Sophie jumps in. “Elle, don’t tell me you haven’t seen it.”