27. Frankie

TWENTY-SEVEN

Frankie

Tuesday, June 11

10:14 am

My laptop dings with a new email notification, pulling me away from the document I've been working on for the last two hours. I glance at the screen and see Theo Bench's name in the sender line, with Hunter copied. My heart skips a beat as I click it open.

Subject: IRB Approval for Compassionate Use

Frankie, Hunter:

The IRB has granted approval to move forward with the compassionate use of the pacemaker for Grace Petit. Let's discuss next steps as soon as possible. This is a significant achievement. Well done.

Theo

A rush of excitement floods through me, and I barely suppress the urge to let out a cheer. This is huge. I know how much it means to Hunter and what it could mean for Grace. Not to mention, I can't deny the excitement of putting all these years of work and research to practice.

It's one step closer to making all of this worth it.

I immediately reach for my phone, wanting to call Hunter and share the news. I know how excited he is going to be, how deeply he cares about Grace and her outcome. Just as I'm about to dial, I remember he's in surgery right now. He has a full day of back-to-back procedures, which is why he didn't stay over last night. The first night we haven't spent together in two weeks, and I miss him more than I expected I might.

A mix of anticipation and longing comes over me after I set the phone down. I want to tell him right away, but I also know how important it is for him to stay focused during surgery.

I'll have to wait until he's out. But knowing Hunter, as soon as he gets a break, he'll see the email, and he'll know. I guess selfishly I wanted to be the one to tell him.

We can still celebrate together when he is done with work. I light my lavender candle and bask in the comfort and presence of my mom.

I walk back over to the computer and stare at the email from Theo. A whirlwind of emotions sweeps through me. Relief, excitement, and a deep sense of responsibility all vie for dominance. The past two weeks have been an earnest waiting game—one filled with uncertainty and a growing sense of urgency.

Grace has been in the hospital, her condition deteriorating with each passing day. I know this grueling waiting game well.

She has been in and out of the cardiology ward, where the medical staff has been monitoring her around the clock, since she had the heart attack. The doctors have been doing everything they can to manage her symptoms, but it's been clear that time is running out.

Hunter and Jonah have been on edge since we submitted the compassionate use request. Jonah, who's become something of a guardian for Grace, has been visibly anxious. Every time I see him in the hallways, there's a tension in his eyes that I've never seen before. And, according to Hunter, when he isn't working, he is checking on her or sitting with her in her room.

Hunter, on the other hand, has tried to keep his usual stoic demeanor, but I've noticed the subtle signs of strain: the way his jaw tightens when someone mentions Grace, the way he clenches his fists when he thinks no one's looking. This isn't just another patient for him, this is personal.

And somehow, it's become personal for me too. Grace is my mom. This innovative device will save her life.

Every day has felt like a marathon. I've been pouring over the data, making sure everything is airtight, that there's nothing that could cause this to fall apart at the last minute.

Meanwhile, Hunter has been working with Dr. Calloway, doing everything in his power to keep Grace stable. He has said more than once to me that if we didn't get this approval, we might lose her.

It's been a long two weeks. A long, agonizing two weeks.

But now, with this email sitting in front of me, I can finally breathe a little easier. We have the green light. Grace is going to get the pacemaker. This is it!

It's not lost on me that something that brought Hunter and I together is connected in so many ways. And now, someone he cares deeply for will be the first recipient.

So, instead, I close my eyes for a moment, letting the weight of the past two weeks fall away, replaced by a sense of cautious optimism. We're not out of the woods yet—there's still so much to do—but it finally seems like there might be a light at the end of the tunnel.

OvenBird

12:29 pm

I step into the familiar warmth of our favorite lunch spot, the scent of freshly baked bread and roasting vegetables instantly putting me at ease. It's been too long since Carly and I have had a chance to catch up properly, and I've been looking forward to this all week.

The sun is shining, and I spot Carly waving from the patio, already settled in a shaded spot surrounded by raised beds filled with fresh herbs.

"Hey, stranger!" she calls out, a big grin on her face as I approach. "Thought you'd forgotten all about me with all the excitement in your life lately."

I laugh as I slide into the chair across from her. "Never. Just been a little busy, you know?"

She gives me a knowing look, raising an eyebrow. "Yeah, I can imagine. Between the trial, dealing with your dad's stuff, and a certain grumpy cardiothoracic surgeon, I'd say you've had your hands full."

The waitress comes by, and we both order, opting for our usual salads and iced teas. As soon as she leaves, Carly leans in, eyes sparkling with curiosity.

"So, gimme gimme. Whats the word with Grace? Word on the street is the IRB approved the compassionate use. Marijka called me on the way over here."

"Yeah, they did," I reply, a wave of relief washing over me just saying the words. "It's a huge win. We've been waiting for weeks, and it was touch and go there for a while. But now that we have the green light, I'm hoping things will move quickly. Hunter's already got the prototype, so I wouldn't be surprised if they go ahead with the procedure soon."

Carly nods, clearly impressed. "That's amazing, Frankie. It's going to be incredible seeing her get better. And speaking of Hunter… how's that going? As I've mentioned, it's really cramping my after-work stops at your place, but I'm trying not to take it personally."

I smirk, shaking my head. "You can still come over, Carly. It's not like you're banned."

"Please," she laughs, rolling her eyes. "That man's standoffishness is a force to be reckoned with. I love you, but I'm not interested in trying to compete with him for your attention."

I chuckle, thinking about how Hunter can come across. "He's not that bad, really. He's like a squishy teddy bear under all that brute. And pretty damn thoughtful. It's just a mask."

"Uh-huh," Carly says skeptically, but there's a teasing glint in her eyes. "A very convincing mask, I'd say. But seriously, I'm happy for you. You deserve some happiness, even if it comes wrapped up like Serious Smurf in his blue scrubs."

We both laugh, and the conversation naturally shifts to lighter topics until Carly leans back in her chair, a more serious expression crossing her face. "And how's everything going with your dad's stuff?"

I pause, taking a sip of my iced tea. This is the first time I've mentioned it to anyone, and the words are heavy on my tongue. "There's something I haven't told you yet… He left me an inheritance."

Carly's eyes widen, and she almost chokes on her drink. "Wait. What?! How much are we talking here?"

I glance around, lowering my voice even though we're outside. "Twelve and a half million. Each of the three siblings gets that amount once the closing of the dealerships happens. A national, large car dealership chain is buying them all out."

Carly's jaw drops, and she looks like she might fall out of her chair. "Holy shit, Frankie! That's… that's life-changing! My mind is freaking blown right now."

"I know," I say, a mix of excitement and nerves overcome me as I finally say it out loud. "I haven't met my half-brothers yet, but we're in talks about making it happen. It's kind of surreal. I've always wanted siblings, but now that it's real, I don't know, it's a lot to process. I'm still working through all of it."

Carly reaches across the table, squeezing my hand. "I'm so excited for you, Frankie. This is huge. And I know it's a lot, but you're going to handle it like a champ. You always do. Becoming a millionaire in the process will probably help a tiny bit, too."

I laugh, feeling lighter than I have in days. This is why I love Carly. She always has a humorous perspective to point out. We spend the rest of lunch joking around, sharing stories, and just enjoying each other's company, the way best friends do.

Shain Park

6:38 pm

We reach the end of our walk, our usual loop around Shain Park, and that familiar contentment and excitement that always comes with being around Hunter is my constant companion these days.

These evening walks after work are more common than not lately, and I look forward to them. It's a way for us to unwind, connect, and to just be with each other without the pressures of our jobs or the chaos of our lives getting in the way. Honestly, it's my favorite part of the day.

Except, maybe, our morning sex before he leaves me.

Hunter glances at me, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "You're quieter than usual tonight. Plotting something?"

I laugh, nudging him playfully with my elbow. "Who, me? Never."

"Uh-huh," he says, clearly not buying it. "I know that look. What are you up to?"

I pause, turning to face him with a grin. "Wait right here. I'll be back in a sec."

He raises an eyebrow, curiosity piqued, but stays put as I jog back to my car. I pop the trunk and pull out the blanket, cooler with the cheese and charcuterie, and a bottle of wine I'd stashed away for a little surprise. As I make my way back, I see the puzzled look on Hunter's face morph into something warmer, softer when he spots what I'm carrying.

"Wow, you've been holding out on me," he says, his voice tinged with amusement. "When did we turn into those people?"

I smirk, spreading the blanket out on the grass in a secluded spot scoped out the other day. It's tucked away under a canopy of trees, completely hidden from the rest of the park. The late evening light filters through the branches, casting everything in a warm, golden hue. The air is still, the usual hum of the city muted by the thick foliage surrounding us.

"We didn't," I reply, setting the cheese board down in the center of the blanket. "But I figured it was time we did something different. Plus, this spot just seemed perfect for it."

Hunter sits down beside me, leaning back on his hands as he takes in the view. "You're not wrong. This is nice."

"Nice?" I tease, pouring us each a glass of wine. "I'll have you know I put a lot of thought into this. ‘Nice' doesn't cut it."

He chuckles, accepting the glass I hand him. "Fine, it's more than nice. It's perfect."

"Damn right it is," I quip, but there's a warmth in my chest that has nothing to do with the wine.

Hunter lays on his stomach and picks at the cheese and salami. He is so handsome, his blue eyes twinkling in the low light. It's all I can do not to jump on him right here and now.

We settle into a comfortable rhythm, chatting and joking as we sip our wine. There's no rush, no urgency, just the two of us enjoying each other's company in this little slice of serenity we've found together. It's natural, easy, like we've been doing this forever.

As the sun dips lower in the sky, casting long shadows over the park, Hunter turns to me, a playful glint in his eyes. "So, what's next on your agenda, Ms. Renna? Do we break out the board games, or is this when you tell me we're going stargazing?"

I roll my eyes, laughing. "Oh, please. Like you'd ever agree to play a board game."

"True," he concedes, taking another sip of wine. "But stargazing, I could be convinced."

"Who says I want to convince you?" I counter, leaning in a little closer. "Maybe I've got something else in mind."

He raises an eyebrow, intrigued. "Like what?"

Instead of answering, I close the small gap between us, pressing my lips to his in a kiss that's soft at first, then deepens as he responds, his hand coming up to cradle the back of my head. The world around us fades away, leaving just the two of us in this perfect, hidden spot in the park.

When we finally break apart, we're both a little breathless, and I can't help but smile. "Like that," I whisper.

Hunter looks at me, a mix of affection and desire in his eyes. "I could get used to this."

"Me too," I reply, leaning back against the blanket. "But I'll keep you on your toes. No promises for the next surprise."

He laughs, the sound warm and genuine, and it fills me with a happiness I didn't expect to find tonight. We fall into a comfortable silence, the sounds of the park around us—a distant dog barking, the rustle of leaves in the breeze—providing the perfect soundtrack to our little escape.