Page 19 of The Silver Fox Brother

"It is."

"And Rowan said 'that's great, babe,'" Kate adds, bringing us full circle.

I sigh. "Yes. He said that."

"Do you see the problem?"

"I see a lot of problems. I'm just not sure what to do about them."

"You could start by having an actual conversation with him," Amy suggests.

"Tell him you need more. More attention, more support, more acknowledgment of your career."

"I've tried."

"Try harder. Or try differently. Or—" Kate hesitates. "—decide if you want to keep trying at all."

The waiter returns with our check. We split it three ways, the comfortable routine of years of Sunday brunches. As we gather our things and prepare to leave, Amy gives me a long look.

"We love you," she says.

"You know that, right? And whatever you decide—stay, go, try harder, give up—we support you. But we also think you deserve someone who sees you. Really sees you. Not just the version of you that fits into their world."

"I know."

"Do you?"

I don't answer. Because I'm not sure I do know. I'm not sure I believe I deserve more than what I have. And that, more than anything, is probably the real problem.

We leave the bistro, stepping out into the Sunday afternoon sunlight. The city is quieter today—fewer people, less urgency, the kind of weekend calm that makes Manhattan feel almost livable. We hug goodbye at the corner, Kate heading toward the subway and Amy toward her apartment a few blocks away.

"Think about what we said," Kate calls over her shoulder.

"And text us. Let us know you're okay."

"I will."

I watch them go, these two women who know me better than anyone, who love me enough to tell me hard truths over mimosas and pancakes. Then I pull out my phone and request a car.

Tomorrow is Monday. Back to work, back to the studio, back to the world where I know exactly who I am and what I'm worth.

Back to pretending everything with Rowan is fine.

My phone buzzes as the car pulls up.

Rowan: Brunch with the girls?

Winter: Yeah. Just finished. Heading home now. How's the Hamptons?

Rowan: Long. Conrad’s going over every detail of the Brooklyn project. But productive.

Winter: Good. When are you back?

Rowan: Tomorrow morning as planned. Early meeting at the office.

Winter: Okay. See you then.

Rowan: Miss you.