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“How do you deal with grief?” The chewing stops, and her eyes snap up to mine.

I falter, surprised at this random topic.

Then my heart twists at her question. I know the textbook answers—the professional advice I should give her: take it a day at a time, progress is a few steps forward and a step back, grief ebbs and flows and there’s no right or wrong way to deal with it—but something holds me back from saying them.

Maybe because she isn’t my patient. Maybe because I want to be vulnerable so she can confide in me.

Maybe because I don’t really know the answers myself.

“It’s death by a thousand cuts, I suppose.” I set my cup down. “I don’t think anyone truly knows how to deal with it. We just make doand hope the pain lessens over time and, hopefully one day, it’ll be a dull ache.”

A telltale spasm behind my rib cage flares.

It’s been twelve years for me, and the pain is still there.

Laughing softly, I murmur, “I probably shouldn’t be saying that as a doctor. Should be more hopeful, right?”

Bree smiles. “No. I appreciate the honesty. It’s refreshing.”

“Is everything okay? Sorry, I can’t help but wonder if your question has anything to do with…” my voice trails off, my mouth seemingly can’t form his name.

The man you say you’re not involved with and yet are touchy-feely with in public. The man who apparently fucks like a king and drags out orgasms from his partners so he could fall asleep because he has chronic insomnia.

My stomach churns. The contradictions in their behavior. The vibe is off. They’re close, but now that I think about it, I’ve never even seen Rex kiss her on the lips before. I don’t think they’re intimate like that.

I bite my cheek.Ugh. Stop it, Olivia. Their sleeping status has nothing to do with you.

Bree furrows her brows like she’s confused, but then her eyes widen. “Rex? Oh, this has nothing to do with him. He’s…fine.”

Fine?I force myself to remain still. Those Spidey senses are now church bells clanging in my head.

You don’t describe Rex Anderson as fine.

He’s maddening, hot as sin, smells like sex, has a voice that works better than any vibrator, a sense of humor you want to both strangle and appreciate, a brilliant mind you hope to unravel but have a feeling it’s an impossible task, the perfect height for you to climb—

I shake myself. “Sorry. I was assuming…since you’re here with him and we’re on the world’s most luxurious cruise, I just thought he was making you upset.”

“No, it’s nothing like that.” Bree looks around and then dips toward me. She drops her voice to a whisper. “I-I hear you’re close with the Andersons. And you’re a doctor, so you’re bound by…rules.”

Cocking my head to the side, I remain silent. Where’s she going with this?

“It really isn’t what it seems…Rex and me. I know I’ve mentioned it before, but it’s true. He’s not my type.”

Relief crashes through me and I force myself not to analyze why.

Bree blows out a heavy exhale, like a weight has been lifted off her shoulders. “I don’t really know him that well.”

My mouth parts and I quickly snap it shut. Then what’s going on with their mixed signals? None of this makes sense.

So much for my intention of getting info from her about the infuriating asshole.

“It’s about the move…” She sighs, drawing my attention back to her. “I’m relocating. Leaving my life behind. I thought I could do it, but…I guess I’m sad.” Tears gather in her eyes.

Unwittingly, I reach out and clasp her hand. She squeezes me tight.

“Do you have to move? If you miss your old home so much?”

She swallows and looks down. “Yes. I made a commitment and I need to honor it. It’s the right thing to do.”