I step closer, softening my tone slightly. “Lainey, baby,” I say, looking her in the eyes. “I think it’s time we stop this.”
Her brows knit together. “Stop what?”
“Us,” I say, swallowing the lump in my throat. It’s killing me to say this, but the thought of us crashing and burning, of ending up hating each other, feels worse. “You and I both know we weren’t going to work out. We don’t fit. I can’t be your Mr. Perfect, and you know it.”
“Mr. Perfect?” she repeats, her voice breaking slightly. “Is that what this is all about?”
“Yes,” I say firmly, though my voice wavers just enough to betray me. “I will never be Mr. Perfect for you. I know you want that. And you deserve that. I don’t want to be in the way of you finding your happily ever after. I think you should move out.”
Her mouth opens, but no words come out for a moment. Finally, she whispers, “Move out?” Her voice trembles, but she quickly squares her shoulders, holding back tears. “So that’s it? One little fight, and you’re ready to throw everything away?”
I flinch at her words, the weight of them pressing down on me, but I force myself to keep my voice steady. “It’s for the best.”
Before either of us can say more, a hotel staff member peeks their head into the hallway. “Lainey? Zach? They’re about to do the send-off.”
Lainey doesn’t turn around. She replies evenly, “We’ll be right there.”
As the staff member leaves, she lifts her gaze to mine, her voice trembling but determined. “I guess I should thank you for reminding me why I was looking for Mr. Perfect in the first place. Because I don’t want to end up with someone who runs at the first sign of something real instead of fighting for it.”
I nod, swallowing hard. “Yes. You finally see now. You deserve your happily ever after.” My voice cracks slightly as I add, “We can discuss co-parenting when the baby comes.”
Her chin lifts, and she nods tightly. “Yeah, sure.” She takes a shaky breath. “I didn’t bringmuch to your place yet, so I’ll come by in a few days to collect my things.”
“Okay,” I say quietly. The word feels heavy, final.
Lainey takes a step toward the reception doors and then stops, turning back to me. Her eyes lock on mine, and for a moment, I think she might take it all back. Instead, she says softly, “I really thought you were different.” Then she walks away.
I stand frozen, watching her disappear back into the room. The noise from the reception washes over me, but I can’t focus on anything. I tell myself this is for the best. She deserves someone better than me. Someone steady. Someone perfect.
But it doesn’t feel like the best. It feels like a knife twisting in my chest.
When I finally walk back inside, everyone is sending off Wyatt and Chloe. I spot Lainey with Janelle and a few others, her laughter masking the hurt I know is there. Drew is standing next to her, and someone snaps a picture of them. My chest tightens, but I push it down, telling myself I made the right choice.
Later, as the guests begin to leave, I see Lainey walking out alone.
For a moment, I think about going after her, but I stop myself. She deserves someone who doesn’t have to second-guess everything.
Even if it kills me to let her go.
Chapter 34
Lainey
“Anna?Doesyourofferstill stand?” My voice shakes as I clutch my phone tighter. The quiet of my apartment feels deafening, the emptiness pressing against me from all sides.
“Of course, hon. Is everything okay?” Anna’s voice is warm, soothing, but the question makes my chest tighten.
“No.” I take a shaky breath, but it’s no use—the tears spill over, hot and relentless. “It’s not.”
There’s a pause before Anna’s voice returns, sharper now, edged with protective anger. “What happened? I haven’t heard from you since you told me you were pregnant. Did… gosh, I don’t even know his name. The baby daddy. Did he tell you he doesn’t want to be involved?”
“His name is Zach. Zach Darling,” I finally admit, my voice trembling.
Anna issilent for a moment before she asks incredulously, “The hockey player from the LA Knights?”
“Yeah. The same one,” I reply, a small, bitter laugh escaping despite the heaviness in my chest.
“Doesn’t he have a reputation?” she presses, her tone skeptical.
