Chapter 27
Lainey
“Pass me the lavender ribbon, will you?” Chloe says, her voice distracted as she examines a tiny jar of honey. “I think the gold looks too flashy for the theme.”
I slide the ribbon across the table without looking up from my clipboard. “Lavender’s better. It matches the centerpieces and the bouquets. Besides, the theme is romantic, not flashy.”
Janelle ties a bow with a practiced hand and holds it up. “It’s perfect. Romantic and cozy. These jars are adorable.”
I smile, threading another ribbon through the tags that read, Love is sweet, so are you. Chloe had insisted on something cute and pun-heavy for the wedding favors, and it fit her and Wyatt perfectly.
“They are,” I reply, glancing at the neatly arranged rows of finished jars.
“And once we’re done with these, the favors will officially be checked off the list. One less thing to worry about.
We’re officially down to the final touches.
The tuxes and dresses are fitted, the cake and catering are confirmed, the guest list is finalized, and the music is all set. ”
Chloe leans back in her chair, exhaling in relief. “Honestly, I didn’t think we’d pull this off when Wyatt said we should do this in less than two months.”
“It wasn’t easy,” I say, flipping to the final page of my clipboard.
“But now it’s just little things. We’ve got the seating chart finalized, the photographer’s timeline confirmed, and the florist’s delivery schedule locked in.
After that, it’s just the rehearsal dinner and making sure everything’s ready to go on the day of. ”
“What about the ceremony setup?” Chloe asks, twirling a piece of ribbon around her finger.
“Covered,” I reply. “The venue coordinator has the altar and aisle decor planned out, and the chairs will be set up the morning of. All we need to do is drop off the favors and place cards the day before.”
Chloe tilts her head, her expression softening. “You’ve really thought of everything.”
“It’s my job,” I reply with a small smile. “Once the rehearsal dinner is over, the next thing you’ll have to think about is saying ‘I do.’”
Janelle sets her finished jar aside and picks up another. “Honestly, Lainey, you’ve been a superhero about all this. Even Clarissa hasn’t managed to derail you.”
I smile, keeping my tone light. “Yeah. I’m not going to let her rain on my parade.”
Chloe snorts. “Oh, she’s tried, though. Remember how mean she was at the Youth Foundation hockey event? She was glaring at Lainey the whole time like she wanted to start something.”
Janelle shakes her head, her hazel eyes narrowing. “I don’t know how you put up with her. She sounds evil. Good thing I haven’t met her yet.”
“Well, you should be glad,” Chloe says with a laugh.
Janelle raises an eyebrow. “What don’t I know about?”
Chloe gasps, her eyes widening. “Oh my gosh! I forgot. You were gone on that business trip when all this happened! Okay, so, at Zach’s family reunion, Clarissa told Lainey she only dated Drew because Lainey liked him.”
Janelle’s jaw drops. “Are you kidding me?”
“Oh, it gets better,” Chloe continues, clearly enjoying the retelling. “She said she liked the idea of liking Drew the way Lainey did. Then, as soon as she saw Zach, she dumped Drew. And guess what? She told Lainey she can go after Drew now because he’s single again.”
Janelle shakes her head, leaning back in her chair. “But didn’t he RSVP with a plus one?”
“Yes, he did,” Chloe says with a triumphant grin. “So she’s lying. She just wants Lainey to step back from Zach so she can have him all to herself.”
“Wow,” Janelle says, drawing out the word. “Can I just say that she’s a total bitch?”
Midway through sipping my water, I choke and nearly spit it out. Chloe and Janelle burst into laughter, and I can’t help but join in, shaking my head at the ridiculousness of it all.
When the laughter dies down, I set my glass aside and glance between them. “I haven’t even told you about her showing up at the community event.”
Chloe’s eyebrows shoot up. “She did? When?”
“Right after you and Wyatt took Jasper to get food,” I explain. “Zach and I had to sneak out. That’s why we left early.”
Chloe stares at me, disbelief etched on her face. “Are you serious?”
“Unfortunately, yes,” I reply with a sigh.
Janelle shakes her head, her tone incredulous. “My gosh. That woman is definitely obsessed with him. I guess I don’t blame her, though. I mean, look at him.”
Chloe raises an eyebrow, grinning. “Are you affected by his charms too, Janelle?”
“Oh gosh, no,” Janelle says, waving a hand dismissively. “I’m just saying he’s got the looks, the charm, the whole package. Come on, he made Lainey come four times. What guy does that on your first night? Women go crazy over that.”
My cheeks heat as I bury my face in my hands. “Ladies, can we not mention my sex life? It’s complicated enough right now.”
“Sorry, hon,” Janelle says with a smirk. “I’m just saying.”
Chloe chuckles, shaking her head. “I kind of feel bad for Clarissa.”
Janelle narrows her eyes. “Why do you say that?”
“Because she lived her life to fit into Zach’s world,” Chloe explains. “To being the person she thinks he needs.”
Janelle leans back, crossing her arms. “Yeah, I don’t know if that’s love.”
I hold up my hand. “Ladies, can we not talk about Clarissa anymore?”
“Fine,” Chloe says, raising her hands in mock surrender. “Let’s talk about Zach instead. How are you and Zach handling everything?”
I sigh, putting down the ribbon and leaning back in my chair. “It’s been… a lot. The wedding’s been my escape from thinking too much about it.”
Janelle tilts her head. “Is he stepping up, or is he still trying to charm his way out of responsibility?”
“He’s not trying to charm his way out of anything,” I say quickly, though my tone is more defensive than I intended. I fumble with the next jar, the silence stretching between us like a taut wire.
Chloe tilts her head. “Someone’s being overprotective.”
Janelle grins. “I don’t blame her. Zach is her baby daddy.”
Chloe laughs. “Okay, Janelle, let’s stop. Let Lainey talk.”
I sigh again, setting the jar down. “He’s… trying. He wants me to move in with him.”
Janelle’s eyebrows shoot up. “Move in? Like, as in live with him?”
“Yes,” I say, crossing my arms. “He thinks it’s practical.”
Chloe snorts. “Practical for who?”
“That’s what I said,” I mutter. “He says it’s for the baby, for us, so he can be there. But I can’t shake the feeling that he’s doing it more out of obligation than anything else.”
What do you want?” Chloe asks gently.
“I don’t know,” I admit. “I don’t want to feel like someone’s responsibility. I’ve always wanted a real partner—someone who’s all in, not just there because they think they have to be.”
“There’s something else,” I add, hesitating. “My sister Anna offered for me to move in with her. So she can help me with the baby.”
Janelle’s eyes widen. “To move out of state?”
Chloe’s expression softens. “Are you considering it?”
I pause, running my fingers along the edge of the table. “She’s been great about everything. She told me I could move in with her anytime I needed to. She even sent me links to schools and community programs nearby. She’s really thought it through.”
“We’re going to miss you if you decide to move,” Chloe says, her voice soft.
“Me too,” I reply, but the knot in my chest doesn’t ease. “It’s tempting, but moving out of state? Leaving my career, my life here… I don’t know. It feels like running away.”
Janelle smiles warmly. “You know we’re here for you, whatever you decide.”
“Thanks,” I say, my voice thick. “I appreciate it.”
Before I can say more, my phone buzzes on the table. The vibration rattles the honey jars, drawing their attention.
“Speaking of the devil,” I mutter, unlocking the screen. Zach’s name flashes across the top of my messages.
“What’s he saying?” Chloe asks, watching me closely.
I read the message aloud.
Zach: Hey, I’ll be at hockey camp this weekend, but I really want to figure this out between us. Feel like joining me?
Another message quickly follows.
Zach: I’ll show you I’m serious. About the move. About the baby. Just say yes.
“Well?” Janelle asks, her voice curious but cautious. “What are you going to do?”
I don’t answer right away, my thoughts spinning. Zach wants to convince me to move in. He says it’s for the baby, but I need to know if there’s something more behind it—something he’s not saying.
Finally, I exhale and set my phone down. “I guess I’ll find out this weekend.”