Chapter 29

EMILIA

The week leading up to Zane’s cruise goes by faster than I thought it would.

I keep myself busy at the bakery, but it’s impossible to ignore how empty it feels without Liam popping in like he used to. Cam stops by once or twice, but after a while, he starts making excuses—something about Coach doubling down on practice. I don’t push. I know it’s really about Liam.

I told Liam not to contact me until the cruise, and to my surprise, he’s actually listening. No texts. No calls. Nothing.

It should feel like a win. It doesn’t.

By the time Friday rolls around, I’m packed and ready to leave for Chicago. The bakery is closing early, so I spend the afternoon in Tessa’s apartment, double-checking my suitcase and trying not to check my phone.

But when I finally do, there’s nothing. No missed calls. No messages. Just silence.

I exhale and shake it off. This is what I wanted.

Right?

I toss my phone onto the bed and zip up my suitcase,