Xander didn’t give me an answer. How could he? There wasn’t one.
“I have a whole new life. And what, he just shows up here, expecting me to throw it all to one side? What the fuck is that about? I’m happy with my life, with the future I have planned. Am I meant to give it up for a shot with someone who abandoned me?”
“No one’s saying that,” Xander said before correcting himself. “Okay, so Dominic is saying that, but no one else is. But, Ryan…are you really happy? Are you excited to put on that suit and wait for Kate to walk down that aisle? Because if the answer is no, then I don’t think you should be doing this.”
A few weeks ago, I would’ve insisted I was. That this was everything I’d ever wanted. I wasn’t sure it had been true even back then. “No. I’m not.”
“Then that’s your answer,” Xander said firmly. “You’re looking at this like a choice between Kate and Dominic, but really, it’s not that at all.”
“It’s not?”
“No, Ryan.” He smiled kindly. “It’s a choice between doing what you should versus what you want. If there were no other obstacles, if you could trust that Dom really has missed you all these years, that he won’t leave in the future…what would you want?”
“To be with him.” Tears welled in my eyes. “And I know he keeps telling me that I can trust him and that it was as hard for him as it was for me, but…”
“But he broke your trust along with your heart,” Xander said. “I get it, Ryan. You don’t have to choose right now, but you do need to decide what the next step is.”
“I’m going to break things off with Kate.” As soon as the words left my lips, my mind started to focus. “I can’t marry her. Not that she’ll even want to marry me after what I’ve done, but even if she did…I can’t go through with it.”
I got to my feet and gave Xander a fierce hug. “Thanks, man. I’d be lost without you.”
“Same goes,” he said gruffly, patting my back. “Now go and sort your life out.”
The dizziness was gone when I strode for the door. With a decision made, I felt more clear-headed than I had in days. Xander was right—I didn’t need to figure it all out now, but I did need to end things with Kate.
My gut twisted at the thought. God, this was going to shatter her.
That knowledge wasn’t enough to change my mind. Going through with this would just mean hurting her further down the line. I couldn’t do that. It wouldn’t be fair.
To either of us.
If I hurried, maybe I could catch her before she put her dress on.
My hand touched the door handle, but before I could twist it, there was a sharp knock.
I glanced back at Xander. “Are we expecting anyone?”
“No.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “Best open up and see who it is.”
It’s Dom. He’s come here to tell you not to do it. To remind you that you should be with him.
I was trembling from head to toe as I opened the door.
But it wasn’t Dominic on the other side.
It was Max.
“We need to talk,” he said, his gaze going over my shoulder. His eyes, one of them ringed in black, narrowed at Xander. “Call off your guard dog.”
Behind me, Xander gave a softwoof. From the thunderous look on my twin’s face, I knew Xander had to be smirking.
“Give us a minute, Xan,” I said, stepping to the side so Max could enter.
Xander held up his hands innocently. “I can behave.”
I pointed out the door. “No. You can’t. Not with Max. You’ve proven that twice over already.”
“Spoilsport,” Xander muttered as he went to leave. As he drew level with me, he paused. “I’ve got your back, Ryan, whatever happens.”