Page 86 of Six Month Wife

I laugh under my breath. The tension thins barely, but it's enough.

“So, what’s the deal, then?”

“Well,” he says, “since that night, I haven’t called her back. I was too twisted up after leaving your place. Then Leeland showed up, and work got crazy... I don’t know. I still need to follow up, but I wanted to make sure you were okay first. That you evenwantedmy help.”

I cross my arms, curiosity edging in despite myself. “Who is she?”

“If she’s in your world, you probably know her. Rose Henchey.”

My jaw drops. “TheRose Henchey is your ex-girlfriend? And you casually left that part out?”

He grins. “To tell you the truth, it didn’t occur to me until recently. The first time we talked about it was Saturday, when you came to my place.”

“Dudes are so clueless.” I shake my head, still stunned. “Yes, I’d love for you to help me. And, yes, I’d love to be hooked up with Rose freakin’ Henchey. Preferably last week.”

That grin of his deepens, and I hate how it makes my chest ache.

“I should’ve told you sooner,” he says, his voice dipping low again. “I hate that I made you question it. Or us. I didn’t want to make a promise I couldn’t keep.”

I want to crawl into a hole. Why do I do this, assume the worst when it comes to protecting my heart? “No. This one’s on me. I saw the way you smiled at her, the ease in your voice. I knew it wasn’t nothing. But I didn’t give you a chance to explain.”

I blow out a tight sigh. “Was that... a concession? From the famously unflappable Adair Carpenter?”

I narrow my eyes. “Don’t ruin it.”

“Right. I’ll quit while I’m ahead.”

He steps closer, his hand brushing against mine. “Adair, you’re so important to me. Rose and I are ancient history. You’re what matters now.”

The words hit me like a wave, stealing my breath for a moment.

“Thank you,” I whisper, my voice thick with emotion.

For a moment, neither of us speaks. The sound of the waves fills the space between us, grounding and soothing.

He steps closer, his hand brushing against my cheek as he leans in. When our lips meet, it’s slow and deliberate, a kiss that feels like the promise of something more. We're not supposed to be doing this, but I can't stop him. I don't want to stop him.

The ocean in the background with the moon doing its whole romantic spotlight thing, it almost feels too perfect to interrupt.

"I know you need to get going. Can I walk you to your car?"

"Sure," I concede.

We stop beside the driver’s door, and I’m already stalling. My keys are in hand, but I have no intention of unlocking anything.

He looks at me for a beat, like he’s thinking the same thing I am, then runs a hand down the back of his neck. “I’ve got an early one tomorrow,” he says. “First surgery with the big dog in the hospital.”

I nod, excited for him. “Big deal?”

“Biggest. The guy eats interns for breakfast and makes attendings cry before noon. I really can’t screw it up. I think this is a test, of sorts.”

“Okay…” I say slowly, bracing myself for the polite goodbye. Because while I want to put distance between us, I don't want to say goodbye yet.

But then he surprises me.

“Will you stay at my place tonight?” he asks. “I want you there. I know I'll sleep better beside you.” He gives me that look, the one that already feels like home.

I blink at him. We aren't supposed to be doing this. How am I so damn weak to go back on what I told myself I needed to do here? Because I know I won't say no to this. What woman in her right mind could?