Page 116 of Yours to Catch

He pauses to study me again. “Why are you acting so chill?”

“My pity party came to an abrupt end. You told me to knock it off, remember?”

A breeze stirs at that moment. He glances at the swaying branches above. I allow my gaze to follow his lead. What little brightness still exists on this day shines through the leaves. It offers us much-needed peace.

His stare is unfocused when he looks at me next, but determination squares his shoulders. “I’m sorry, Harper.”

“Don’t be.”

“But—”

“You’re starting a family. There’s nothing sorry about that.” Or that’s what I’ll trick myself to believe.

Jake’s sigh sounds heavier than the elephant crushing my chest. My throat clogs as conflict pinches his somber appearance. He fidgets, curling his fingers into white-knuckle fists. Muscles bunch and twitch beneath his shirt. It almost looks like he wants to reach out to me. But then, just as before, his features return to their stoic state.

The sight is almost too much for me to balance on this teetering farce. I gulp to trap the hiccupped sob ready to betray me.

After a single nod, Jake turns away. His retreating footsteps threaten to weaken my willpower. I want to chase him. Beg him to choose me. But that would be selfish. His path is heading in a different direction. One I can’t follow.

I can only watch him leave our love behind.