She leaned against the doorframe of the restaurant’s kitchen as the repairman droned on about all the problems she already suspected. “It would cost more to repair them than it would to buy them new. And I get nothing if you replace them, so that should tell you something.”

Addy sighed. “So, what are we talking?”

“I mean, it can vary. Depending on what you want, brand … but I would estimate maybe twelve thousand altogether. If you do some bargain hunting, you might be able to find some deals. Or if you can wait until Labor Day sales—”

“I can’t wait even a day without having a dishwasher and freezer,” she said.

“Sorry?”

“No,” she said with a shake of her head. “I’m sorry, it’s not your fault. Do you have any recommendations for affordable commercial appliances?”

“Sure, sure,” he said. With grimy black hands, he pulled a stack of business cards out of his wallet. “This guy’s local, he’ll treat you right. Tell him I sent you.”

“And what do I owe you? For the diagnostics, and everything?”

“I’ll send you an invoice tomorrow,” he said.

She walked him to the front of the restaurant and chewed on her lip the entire way. Paying for the new appliances would completely drain her personal savings. Addy couldn’t believe there was a time she thought twelve thousand in savings was an impressive feat. It was gone, just like that.

It’s not like you have much choice if the restaurant is going to stay open, she thought. Of course, you can always talk to Dad about taking out a loan.

She nearly laughed at herself. There was no way he’d ever agree—if he was ever even sober enough to have a conversation about it. Besides, that would just make it worse. She’d be in charge of paying it back, with interest.

Might as well use her own savings and avoid the extra charges. Maybe the restaurant would turn around and she’d actually be able to pay herself back.

She locked the door behind the repairman and started prepping for the lunch shift. They only had a one-hour break between breakfast and lunch shifts.

Without a working dishwasher, that was sixty minutes to wash the dishes, cups, and flatware by hand. And of course Dawn demanded her full hour break and Kenzie hadn’t come in for the morning shift.

At least you don’t have to work at night anymore, she thought to herself as she rolled up her sleeves.

The new hires had actually wanted evening shifts. They were experienced waitstaff and knew that’s where the best tips were. Addy knew it too, but it wasn’t worth battling it out over the closing shift.

Let them have the heavy tippers, she thought. It made them happy, and happy employees stuck around.

Dawn’s timing was impeccable. She showed up for her second shift right as Addy finished up with the last dish.

“Hey! I would have helped if you’d waited for me,” she said. She reeked of cigarettes.

“I couldn’t wait for you, these needed to be ready for lunch.”

Dawn shrugged. “Well … thanks.”

Thanks. Like Addy owed her a favor.

She sucked in her breath to keep from saying anything. The last thing she needed was for Dawn to quit in a huff and stick Addy with another position to fill.

As Addy headed to the car, her phone buzzed.

“Husband” lit up her screen briefly with a text notification. It made her blush. Before she read the text, she quickly changed it back to “Dr. Hottie.”

That was a lot more fitting and not nearly as weird.

If she hadn’t shattered that glass of whiskey the other night, she could have really gotten herself in trouble. Jack was just being a guy, and guys didn’t turn down sex. Especially not him—God, he must have always had it easy.

Girls throwing themselves at him. Girls like Rosalie, the superwoman-supermodel-superdoctor. She couldn’t blame Jack for trying the other night, and she wouldn’t have blamed him if they’d taken it farther.

But Addy had to admit to herself that she’d started to develop a serious crush on him. It was manageable if she kept her distance. But if they had sex?

If they’d had sex and then he ended up dumping her for Rosalie in a few weeks when the jealousy scheme worked? It would totally crush her, she knew it.

Isn’t that what we’re doing this for? So Rosalie will go crawling back to him and Jeremy to me? Is it—is that really what I want?

For the first time, she began to consider that maybe she didn’t want Jeremy back. He really was a douche. Maybe it was just her ego that was hurt.

Did I seriously get and stay married because of some bruised ego?

Addy opened up the text as she slid into the driver’s seat.

Stop by my work if you have a minute. I have a surprise for you.

A surprise?

She swiftly texted back.

Heading over now, just leaving the restaurant.

It only took ten minutes to reach the hospital.

The benefits of a small town. As soon as she stepped through the doors, she was bombarded with greetings.

“Hi, Mrs. Stratton!”

She blushed every time it was said. She thought she’d get used to it, but it still sounded strange.

Fake. Like everyone was in on it and was just playing along to appease them.

Addy headed back to the ER and immediately spotted Jack as he chatted with a patient who was perched on a table. He caught her eye and nodded.

“Give me a minute,” his eyes read.

She smiled. He was absolutely stunning. Beneath the blue scrub bottoms and white coat, it was still easy to make out the perfect physique.

How did he do it? Look so effortlessly gorgeous while working these hours?

She watched as he raked his hand through his hair, perfectly mussed though she knew he put in zero efforts to primping.

“Addy, hi!”

“Hi, Philip,” she said. She greeted him with a warm smile.

“How’s it going? Here to see the husband?”

“Yeah, I guess so,” she said. “How are you? They keeping you busy around here?”

“You have no idea. Well, actually you probably do. Both of our jobs are brutal, huh?”

“I think yours is a little more demanding than mine,” she said with a laugh.

Over Philip’s shoulder, she caught sight of Rosalie. The glamazon was impossible to miss, especially in an atmosphere like this.

She glided like she was on a runway, a perfect French twist holding her flaxen hair in place. Rosalie chatted with a nurse, the red bud of her mouth plump and full.

Like a French woman, Addy thought. Effortlessly glamorous with a bun and red lipstick.

Rosalie must have felt Addy’s eyes on her. Her own steel gray eyes snapped up and held Addy’s tight. The blonde squinted and slightly frowned.

Addy looked away quickly, back to the warmth of Philip’s friendly gaze. Clearly, Rosalie still struggled with the idea of her being with Jack. Married to Jack.

I guess that’s a good thing. That’s the goal, right?

“Addy? You okay?” Philip asked.

“Yeah. Sorry! It’s been a long day. What were you—”

“Hi, Addison. Good to see you.”

Rosalie was suddenly at her side, silent as a cat. She offered up a smile, but it didn’t extend all the way to her eyes.

“Rosalie, hi. I was going to come say hello—”

“Oh, it’s fine,” Rosalie said. “This one is a talker, you’d never get away.” She laughed as she nodded at Philip, and he joined in. “Is this your day off? And choosing to spend it in the ER. That’s dedication.”

“Dedication?”

Before Addy could say anything more, Jack had joined them. He swooped in and greeted Addy with a long kiss.

She kept expecting him to break away, but when he didn’t and stretched it out longer, she put her hand on his chest. Jack pulled away and grinned at her, a smile so bright that it melted her insides.

“Hey, love,” he said. “Sorry about that. I was just talking to a patient, and guess what?”

“What’s that?”

“He said that a restaurant in town is closing, but it’s not really public knowledge yet.”

“A restaurant? So?” She searched his eyes.

What was he up to now?

“So… they’re selling all the furnishings and appliances—”

“Like a dishwasher? Freezer?”

“Yep, just like that. And apparently the owner was friendly with your dad. Rumor has it you can get them both for a song. A Mr. Stills, I think it was?”

“The Stills, yeah, they own that old-fashioned burger joint on the outskirts of town. I can’t believe it’s closing! But… like, did he say a number?”

“He said around a thousand, give or take.”

“A thousand? As in one thousand dollars? That’s it? Really?”

Both Rosalie and Philip had disappeared.

“That’s right.”

Addy launched herself into his arms and hugged him tight. She rested her head on his chest. It felt right, good, like she was home. She hadn’t realized how much she’d forced the affection up until this point.

“Hey!” he said with a laugh. “It was no big deal. Just a touch of kismet.”

Addy pulled back slightly.

“It is a big deal,” she said.

In that moment, with just a few inches of space between them, she felt that flicker again. She felt her eyes begin to droop.

“Again? Get a room!”

One of the nurses walked by and chided them good-naturedly, but it was enough to make Addy remember where they were. And who they were supposed to be.

Jack cleared his throat.

“I’ll text you the number he gave me on my next break,” he said. “Duty calls. Time to keep up the image of Professional Doctor for a few more hours.”

“Thank you,” she said. “Seriously. I… I don’t know what to say, or how I can repay you.”

“I have a few ideas,” he said, and wiggled his brows at her.

“Stop it!” she said, and slapped him on the chest.

Part of her was grateful to get back to their normal routine, but another part of her ached for those glimpses of what could be.

“I know. Do you want anything particular for dinner? I have the rest of the day off, so it’s doctor’s choice. Whatever you want.”

“Why don’t you surprise me?”

Addy rushed out of the ER, feeling light and giddy. Still, the memory of Jack’s touch stayed with her, and she was flushed all the way to the car.