“Did you go to Chicago because she broke up with you?”
In part, but he saw no reason to explain himself. “Yes.”
Pen took that news well, too, but had one final question for him. “Are you over her?”
That question required no hesitation. “Yes.”
If he wasn’t mistaken, that was a relieved breath Pen just blew out. “Your mother believes we’re in love, Zach. She thinks this is our happily-ever-after and I couldn’t correct her.”
“You and my mother had quite the conversation.”
“I didn’t know she was going to go into all of that. And I honestly wouldn’t ask you to clarify any of this if it wasn’t for what lies before us.”
That statement settled into the room like an elephant.
“Which is what?” She kept making decisions and telling him last. He didn’t like it.
“When we announce the sex of the baby at our surprise shower, we should also announce that we won’t be getting married. Hear me out.” She held a hand in front of her as if to silence him, probably because he’d filled his chest full of air to protest how they didn’t have to do anything. Before she said more, he managed to blow out one question in an infuriated tone.
“What surprise shower?”
“I’m guessing that’s why your sister asked me to clear a spot on my calendar in two weeks for a ‘cake-tasting appointment.’” Pen used air quotes. “It sounded very...suspicious. Plus, she asked that we tell no one the sex of the baby—not even her.”
“The gender reveal,” he mumbled. “She’d mentioned she wanted to host one and then never said another word.” He’d hoped she would forget about it. He should’ve known better.
Zach swiped a hand over his forehead, frustrated. Why the hell was everyone arranging parties around him, talking about him like he was a backdrop? Like he was a store mannequin. He was the one who arranged his life. It was his life, dammit.
“Before you blow up, let me finish.”
He gave her the most patient glare he could manage, aware of the heat warming his face.
“We thank everyone for the gifts. And we hold hands—I’ll take this off first—” she waggled her ring finger “—and then we’ll let everyone know that while we’ll be living separate lives we are very much going to raise our daughter together. Everyone will be so overjoyed to learn that we’re having a girl that I’m betting they won’t even focus on the fact that we’re announcing a breakup.”
“We’re not breaking up.”
“Zach.” She stood, her hand protectively over her middle. “We’re not in love. You can’t believe our sex-soaked relationship isn’t going to fall apart. There’s nothing holding us together except our attraction for each other. What about when that fades?”
“What if it doesn’t?” He saw no reason to put a headstone on what they had. Not yet. They had time.
“Come on. We’ve both been in relationships. Did the infatuation stage last forever?”
He ground his back teeth together. “We’re not breaking up. Wear the ring on Sunday. We’re not doing this.”
“You can’t run from this forever.”
“I’m not running from anything.” To illustrate his point, he stepped deeper into the room and stood in front of her. “I’m here, right in front of you. And that’s where I’m staying until I decide. Not you. Not my mother. Not my family. Not the duchess of fucking Dallas. Me.”