Page 138 of Ten Day Affair

"Yes, ma'am. Mariner's Reach is on fire right now. I've sold three houses there in the last eight weeks. All full price or better. One didn't even hit the market before it went under contract."

I let the words sink in. $4.2 million. It's not just a number. It's more than enough to make this mobile hospital work, with enough money left over to not make this reckless.

My stomach twists with nerves, but there's something else threading in behind it. It's conviction.

I'm doing this.

"I'd like to sit down with you this week if you're available. I can walk through your place and get my photographer scheduled if you want to move forward."

I nod, even though Janet can't see me. "Okay. I'm home through the weekend. Does Thursday morning work?"

"Perfect. I'll bring comps and a listing agreement for you to look over. We'll take it from there."

We hang up. I don't move right away. My hand lingers on the phone, as my chest rises and falls in slow, deliberate breaths. My throat is tight, and my heart pounds like I just ran upstairs in a trauma bay.

The house seems to pulse around me. Every memory, every morning coffee on the deck, every night I fell asleep to the sound of waves rushing at me with clarity.

And then one flash I didn’t expect: Cole in the kitchen, barefoot, hair still damp from a shower. He’d looked over his shoulder and grinned like we had time, like any of this could’ve lasted.

The ache blooms fast. But underneath it, something stronger takes root.

Purpose. I need a clean slate. And I need money. Everything is pointing me to this.

I press my palms to the countertop, grounding myself. It's real now. Not just a maybe or a dream or something I’m considering.

I'm doing this.

I walk back out onto the deck on cloud nine. Arden glances up from her phone, reading my face immediately.

"Well?"

I sink into the chair. My voice comes out quiet but certain. "That was the Realtor. She says we can list for $4.2. Buyers are biting fast."

Arden raises a brow. "And how do you feel about that?"

I stare out at the dark horizon where stars are starting to pierce through. The ocean keeps its steady rhythm, indifferent to my life-changing phone calls.

"Like I'm about to jump out of a plane. But maybe for once, the landing will be worth it."

Arden lifts her wine glass toward me. "To landing on your feet."

After hours of catching up and just loving being with my friend, the sun has finally set. The wine hits my empty stomach with a warm buzz that spreads through my chest.

"I think I need a run. I need to burn off some of this wine."

Arden laughs. "You're the only person I know who can run after drinking."

I stand and stretch, feeling the pleasant looseness in my limbs. "Want to come?"

"God, no. I'm going to finish this bottle and contemplate your life choices from the comfort of this chair. You can exercise for both of us."

I slip inside to change into running shorts and a tank top. The wine makes everything feel slightly off-kilter, but in a good way. Like the edges of my worries have been softened.

The beach stairs creak under my feet as I make my way down. The ocean stretches out like black silk, moonlight cutting a silver path across the waves. I start with a slow jog, but my stomach immediately protests.

Yeah, that's not happening.

I drop to a walk instead, letting my bare feet sink into the cool sand. The breeze off the water is incredible against my flushed skin, carrying away the heat from the wine and the weight of the phone call.