Page 22 of Six Month Wife

This keeps getting weirder by the day.

He walks to the condo beside mine, sets the box down on the porch, and shakes his head. “Maybe. I have to admit, this is starting to feel like a setup.”

“Convenient timing, for sure,” I say, giving him a look.

He chuckles. “Are we still on for dinner Friday?”

I hesitate, then glance down. “Yes, I'm looking forward to it. I did talk to my attorney this morning about, you know, the other thing. We could chat about it now if you have time. That way we can leave the business stuff out of the date.”

His brows lift, a flicker of surprise crossing his face.

My feet ache, and all I want is a glass of wine.

“Do you want to come in?” I ask. “I don’t have much to offer, but I’ve got wine.”

His mouth curves. “Wine sounds perfect.”

6

Parker

Her place issmall but full of personality. Coastal tones, soft lighting, and plants she clearly remembers to water.

The couch has a throw blanket draped so, and there’s a bottle of red wine already sitting on the counter, like she was expecting company. Or, maybe she leaves it out for herself as a welcome home from work.

She kicks off her shoes and pads barefoot to the kitchen. She removes the cork with precision, grabs two glasses, and pours without asking. I find her quiet confidence sexy.

It’s easy. Comfortable. A little too domestic for what we are, but not unwelcome.

“Have a seat,” she says, nodding toward the couch. Her tone is casual, but her eyes track every move I make. She’s calculating but not cold, almost like she's trying to decide if she can take me seriously or not.

“Thanks for the wine,” I say, settling into the couch. She doesn’t sit right away. Instead, she leans against the counter and watches me, sipping from her glass like she’s waiting for me to start the real conversation.

“So, tell me what you’re thinking,” I say. I'm not pushing, but opening the door, feeling her out. She said she spoke to her attorney, so she must be at least considering it somewhat.

She crosses her arms and lets out a breath. “Let me start with, I think this is insane. That's what I'm thinking. But I'm intrigued enough to find out how it would work if I could agree to terms.”

I smile. “That’s a start. And, to be fair, I think this is insane, too. I'm still trying to figure out where in the world he came up with this craziness.”

She finally moves toward the couch and sits on the opposite end, folding one leg beneath her.

"Marriage isn’t exactly something you can undo with a text. Being completely frank, I could use the funds for my business, but I want to be smart about it. What are your thoughts? What are the requirements in the will?”

“Understandable,” I say, nodding. “So, the way the attorney described it to me, I would have to be legally married within thirty days, which, at this point, is more like twenty-four.”

She almost spits her wine out and coughs.

"Did you say twenty-four days?"

“Essentially, give or take."

"Okay. That's fast."

“I know, you're telling me."

I take a deep breath. "So, legally married at warp speed, and then remain married for at least six months. I asked, and he did say that if we divorce or annul the marriage, six months and one day later, it works. We would just have to stay married for six months."

"Wow. This is wild. How does someone even come up with something like this? And why?"