“Florida is far, Lainey,” she says, ignoring my attempt to brush it off.
“It’s only a five-hour flight,” I remind her, though I can tell the distance is weighing on her more than the time.
She lets out a sigh. “What time is your flight?”
“Six,” I answer, sitting on the edge of my couch and picking at a loose thread on my jeans. “It gives me enough time to handle everything here before heading out.”
“You’re leaving without saying goodbye to me in person?” she exclaims, her tone shiftingto playful indignation, though I can hear the undercurrent of real sadness in her voice.
I laugh softly, shaking my head even though she can’t see me. “You’ll be at the airport with Wyatt. Your honeymoon flight leaves earlier, remember?”
“Not the same,” she mutters. “I wanted a proper goodbye.”
“You’ll survive,” I tease, but my voice softens as I continue. “We’ll FaceTime as soon as I get to Anna’s, and you can tell me all about your honeymoon.”
“Does Janelle know you’re leaving?” Chloe asks suddenly.
“Yeah,” I reply, standing to double-check my bag. “I talked to her earlier this week. She wasn’t thrilled, but she understood.”
Chloe hums, still not fully appeased. “I don’t like this.”
“You don’t have to like it,” I say gently, trying to inject some lightness into my tone.
“Fine,” she huffs. “But you’d better text me when you land. And send pictures of Joshua. That kid is too cute.”
“Deal,” I reply.
As I hang up, the quiet settles over me again. I glance around the apartment, taking in the boxes stacked in the corner, and thelittle reminders of the life I’d started to build here. My hand instinctively moves to my belly, cradling the small bump.
“It’s time to go, baby,” I whisper, my voice barely audible.
I grab my suitcase handle, rolling it toward the door. The sound of the wheels against the floor is loud in the stillness, a stark reminder that everything is about to change.
Just as I reach for the doorknob, my phone buzzes in my pocket with a flight update. I glance down at the screen, the words blurring for a moment before coming into focus. Gate updated.
I close my eyes, taking a deep breath. When I open them, I glance back at the apartment one last time.
Chapter 35
Zach
Thefrontdoortomy dad’s house creaks as I step inside. The place feels too big, too quiet. The faint smell of leather and wood polish drifts through the air, instantly familiar. I hesitate, the weight of my choices pressing down on my chest. Before I can decide whether to stay or turn back, Blair’s voice calls out.
“Zach?” She appears in the hallway, her arms crossed and her tone sharp. “What are you doing here?”
I don’t answer right away, and her eyes narrow as she takes in my expression. “You look like hell. What happened?”
I open my mouth, but before I can get a word out, another voice cuts in.
“I wasn’t sure I’d ever see you again.”
I glance toward the entrance to the study. Dad stands there, his tie slightly loosened, his hair grayer than I remember. His gaze is fixed onme, and for a moment, I think I see relief in his eyes.
“Didn’t think you wanted me here,” I reply, my voice tighter than I intend.
Dad sighs, stepping closer. “If I gave you that impression, I’m sorry. I said a lot of things I shouldn’t have. I never meant to push you away. You’re my son. I’ll always want you here.”
The words hit me harder than I expect, but before I can dwell on them, Blair steps forward again, her arms dropping to her sides. “Zach, talk to me.”
