Page 44 of From Fake Dates to Forever Goals

“I know,” I sigh. “I just don’t know how he’s going to take it. I’m still trying to process it myself.”

“You can’t keep this from him.”

“I don’t plan to. I just… I don’t even know what I want to do yet,” I admit, my voice breaking slightly.

“Whatever you decide, it’s okay, Ava,” Annie says softly, her voice warm and sincere—the comfort I desperately need.

“Thank you,” I whisper, meaning it with every ounce of my being.

“Call me if you need anything,” Annie says before hanging up.

With that, I send Sebastian a message, asking him to meet me after practice.

Sebastian calls immediately.

“You’re not coming to practice? Is everything okay?” Concern fills his voice.

“I’m just feeling a little under the weather. I’ll talk to you tonight, okay?” I say, trying to calm his worries.

“Castio’s?”

“Sure.”

“I’ll pick you up,” he offers.

“No—it’s okay,” I assure him quickly. “I’ll just meet you there.”

“Okay. See you then,” he says before hanging up.

I let out a shaky breath. In just a few hours, I may be changing his entire life, and he doesn’t even know it.

My mind spins with a million scenarios, none of them settling into place.

I get dressed, staring at myself in the mirror. My eyes drift to my stomach, and I wonder what it would be like to have a bump.

Is this something I truly want?

I place my hand on my stomach and catch myself smiling. I’m not completely sure of anything yet, but I know one thing—I could do this.

When I step into Castio’s, I find Sebastian waiting for me at the table.

He stands up, greeting me with a kiss on the cheek. I return a weak, fake smile and sit down.

“I have great news,” he says, his face lighting up.

I smile, bracing myself.

“I got my inheritance today,” he says proudly, clearly excited.

“Congratulations,” I reply, genuinely happy for him but feeling the weight of my own news pressing down on me.

“It’s all thanks to you,” Sebastian adds, reaching out to grab my hand.

“It was yours to begin with,” I say softly, nerves bubbling in my chest.

“Sorry,” he says, sitting back. “I know you said you had something to talk about.”

As he calls for the waiter, I force myself to steady my breathing.

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