“But you weren’t following his lead. Your lives were nothing alike. You were just doing what you thought was right, and anyone who sees you with Abi knows you’re nothing like your dad. You did the best you could for her, and she’s turned out great.” He pauses a beat. “But this isn’t about Abi. This is about Shay. Be honest, do you only want her to stay because you think she’d be better off close to family, or do you want her to stay close to you?”

“It’s complicated.” I shake my head. “I love her, I want her, but I can’t pretend this pregnancy doesn’t change anything. I don’t know if I can raise another man’s kid.”

“Seems like you’re doing a pretty good job of it with Abi.”

“It would be different this time. Knowing out the gate . . . Would I treat the child differently? Would I always favor Abi and scar the other kid for life?”

“Is that really what you’re worried about?”

“I don’t know. I’m fucked up about this right now, and that’s the most honest answer I can give you. I know I’m the worst kind of hypocrite. I hate the idea of her having his baby, but I have no idea how to let her go.”

Carter gives me a sad smile. “But you’re a fucking adult, so you either have to learn to be okay with the first or figure out the second.”

“She’s not going to give me a chance to be okay with anything. I found out by accident, and I’d barely processed it before she walked away.”

“Maybe after the last two times, she’s having trouble believing that this time you would choose her.” He pushes an envelope across the table. “She asked Teagan to give this to you. I offered to deliver it.”

Carter leaves, and I don’t even say goodbye. I stare at the envelope, at my name written in Shayleigh’s loopy script on the front. I don’t know how long I sit there like a coward before I find the courage to open it.

Shay’s a writer, a fucking genius with words, so I expected a long letter. Instead, I get two sentences.

I never blamed you for choosing Abi. Even when it hurt, I always loved that about you.

Shay

Molly and Brayden’s wedding isn’t a big or formal enough affair to warrant a rehearsal, but the couple decided they still wanted to do the traditional “rehearsal dinner”—just to spread out the festivities a little.