Page 50 of Six Month Wife

That's all true. I'm leaving out all of the middle part as to why, exactly, I can't afford to like him.

“Ah. The old ‘love is inconvenient’ defense.”

“I didn’t say love. But something along those lines. Without the love.”

"I'm going to have to come to Florida again sooner than I thought. I need to assess this in person.

I laugh guiltily. “It’s nothing. It’s probably nothing.”

“Then why do you sound like it’s already something?”

I don’t answer. Not because I don’t want to, but because I can’t quite untangle it myself.

There’s a beat of silence, then her voice shifts. It’s lighter now, while at the same time, more businesslike. “Okay, emotional avoidance aside, send me some samples, will you? There are a ton of salons out here in LA that might love your products. I can ask around, see if anyone’s interested.”

“Really?” I ask. My cautious optimism is suddenly on the rise.

“Stop it, you know I would do anything to help you. I have a friend who owns a boutique wellness café in Silver Lake, and she’s always looking for new, unique lines to feature. Plus, if the big names in LA start using your stuff, it’s only a matter of time before the rest of the world catches on.”

I smile, the weight on my chest easing slightly. “I’ll send you a package this week. Thanks, friend. If you get me in there, there’s an undereye serum with your name on it.

“Don’t thank me yet,” she teases. “Thank me when your name is on the cover ofForbes.”

“Deal,” I say, laughing.

We say our goodbyes, and I tuck my phone back into my bag as I cross the bridge onto Palm Beach Island. The water sparkles in the afternoon sun, mocking the way my brain is still stuck in survival mode.

The meeting with Thatcher wasn’t the big break I needed, but maybe it was a nudge. And thanks to Jenna, I’ve got another door cracked open.

One way or another, I’ll figure this out, just like always. Because I don’t have the luxury of falling apart.

This arrangement with Parker buys me time with the monthly payments, just enough to keep the lights on while I search for something real. Something that lasts.

But if nothing else comes through before the six months are up and the estate settles, I’ll have to decide what I’m willing to risk to keep any of it from slipping through my fingers.

14

Parker

I carrya tray of chicken salad, some rice, and a bottle of water, scanning the room for an empty table. It’s been a long day, and with my dad’s sudden appearance, I need a moment to breathe and regroup.

I settle into a corner. I need an escape, a place to fade away. I’ve taken my first bite when a familiar voice cuts through the din.

“Parker, what a pleasure seeing you here.”

I glance up to see Gunner striding toward me, a relaxed smile on his face. He’s carrying a cup of coffee, looking every bit the polished professional in his tailored suit. His presence is always calm and deliberate, a stark contrast to the chaos of the hospital around us.

“Gunner,” I say, setting down my fork. “Didn’t expect you'd be here on a Saturday evening.”

He pulls out a chair and sits across from me, resting his coffee on the table.

“I’ve been making the rounds today, meeting with department heads. We set it up on the weekend so wewouldn't get interrupted. I'm grabbing a quick coffee before heading out.”

I nod, taking another bite of my salad. Gunner is a hospital board member. He was the first person I met when I decided to take the ER position here. He’s sharp, observant, and not one to waste words.

“Looks like you’ve had a busy day,” he says, nodding at the scrubs I’m still wearing.

“I guess you could say that. A regular ER Saturday in Palm Beach,” I reply, thinking briefly of my dad’s interruption, and the dozen other tasks still waiting for me. “I hope your meetings were productive.”