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He was emotional last night, and that’s why his head is all messed up this morning. If I stay any second longer, he’ll convince me and I’ll only end up heartbroken. I have to leave immediately—put some distance between us. For my sanity.

I change into a fresh outfit and behind me, the door creaks open.

“Mia,” Jack says from the doorway, voice gentler now. Like he’s trying to soothe a skittish animal. “Please. Don’t leave like this.”

I turn, bag slung over my shoulder. He’s barefoot, hair still mussed from sleep, wearing that soft gray T-shirt that clings to his chest in a way that makes me want to scream.

“Where are you even going? You don’t know anywhere in L.A.”

I brush past him, and he follows me into the living room, but he doesn’t speak this time. He just watches as I walk to the elevator and press the button with a shaking hand.

I feel his eyes on my back, feel the weight of everything unsaid pressing between us.

The doors slide open, and I step in.

I don’t look back.

Because if I do, I won’t leave.

And I have to.

For both of us.

JACK

Istand there like an idiot long after the elevator doors close. I can still hear her voice, her footsteps, the rustle of her bag over her shoulder. I don’t even move. Just stare at the spot where she stood, wondering how I could be any more stupid.

How did I let her walk out?

How the heck did I stand there and say nothing—do nothing?

I sink onto the couch, head in my hands, and stay there. For minutes. Hours, maybe. Time blurs around the hollow in my chest. I don’t pick up Harry’s call. I ignore three texts from Brody and Nova. I don’t even shower. I just sit there like someone scraped the inside of me out with a dull spoon.

I could’ve told her everything. That I wasn’t confused. That it wasn’t the emotion from last night clouding my judgment. That she’s the only woman who’s made me feel something real in a long time.

Instead, I watched her walk away like a coward.

At exactly noon, the front door bangs open.

“Unbelievable!” Nova’s heels click across the living room like gunfire. She storms in, sunglasses still on, fury radiating off her like she’s powered by caffeine and pure rage. “Do you ever think about anyone besides yourself?!”

“Hello to you, too, Nova,” I mutter.

“I’ve been calling and texting, why didn’t you respond?”

She doesn’t wait for me to answer. She yanks off her shades. “Mia came to the office. The office, Jack! She’s done. She said you’ve been frustrating all her efforts, dodging real matches, messing up with Hayley and the other ladies, acting like a child. Do you even care that we had a good thing going? Your image was turning around!”

“I don’t care,” I say quietly. “I won’t be forced to be with someone I don’t love.”

Nova stares at me like I’ve sprouted another head. “Excuse me? Do you know anything about love? All you’ve had are flings. Meaningless, time-wasting flings that don’t last a breath. Please say something else.”

I rise to my feet slowly. “I’m in love with Mia,” I say, my voice firmer now. “It’s her. Not Hayley. Not anyone else. Her.”

She blinks. “You… love Mia.”

“Yes,” I bite out. “I love her. And I screwed everything up because I couldn’t say it when it mattered.”

Nova stares for a second longer, then breaks into a slow grin. “Okay, wow. I… didn’t see that coming. I mean, I hoped for some sparks for your sake, but dang, Jack. You actually fell.”