Page 80 of One Pucking Surprise
“Zach! Lainey!” Whitney exclaims, rushing forward to hug me, then Lainey. “It’s been too long! You need to visit more often.”
Cora pulls Lainey into a hug next, her smile warm and genuine. “We’ve missed you. Come on, let’s get inside before Dad scares you off.”
They don’t give Dad a chance to say anything else. Instead, they shepherd us into the house like a protective barrier, and I let out a silent sigh of relief.
The dining room is already set, the long table filled with crystal glasses and plates that probably haven’t been used since Christmas. And then I see her.
Clarissa.
She’s sitting at the far end of the table, her back straight, her perfectly styled hair gleaming under the chandelier. The second she spots me, she stands, a practiced smile spreading across her face. But when her gaze shifts to Lainey, the smile falters.
“What’s she doing here?” Clarissa demands, her voice sharp enough to cut glass.
Cora doesn’t miss a beat. “Don’t be rude, Clarissa. She’s a guest, just like you.”
Dad trails into the dining room behind us, his expression unreadable, but before anyone can sit, Clarissa clears her throat.
“Mr. Darling,” she starts, her voice sugary sweet, “I planned this family dinner to tell you something important about Zach and Lainey.”
I shoot her a warning look. “Don’t, Clarissa. I warned you to stay out of our business.”
“Zach,” Dad says sharply, cutting me off. “Let Clarissa finish. Go on, dear.”
I clench my jaw, forcing myself to stay quiet even as anger simmers under my skin.
Just then, Noah walks in. He greets everyone with a casual wave and drops into his seat, completely ignoring the tension in the room.
“It’s so nice of you to join us, Noah,” Clarissa says, her tone dripping with sarcasm.
Noah gives her a look that could freeze hell. “Don’t start with me,” he says flatly, before turning his attention to the food.
Clarissa ignores him and continues, her gaze laser-focused on Dad. “Now, before Zach interrupted me, I gathered you all here because I need to tell you that Zach and Lainey have been lying to you.” She pauses dramatically, clearly enjoying the moment. “They’re fake dating.”
Whitney and Cora gasp in unison, their eyes darting between me and Lainey. Noah looks at me like I’ve lost my damn mind.
Dad narrows his eyes. “Zach, is this true?”
I squeeze Lainey’s hand, giving her a reassuring smile before meeting my father’sglare head-on. “Lainey is pregnant,” I say, my voice steady.
The room explodes.
Whitney and Cora gasp even louder, then immediately rush over to hug us both, their excitement bubbling over.
“Pregnant?” Cora exclaims, her face glowing with joy.
Whitney squeals. “I’ve waited for this day for so long!”
I laugh. “You’re both more excited than I am.”
Cora grins. “Of course we are. You’re going to be a dad!”
Before I can respond, Clarissa’s voice cuts through the chaos. “Mr. Darling, don’t believe them. Lainey is lying. She’s just trying to tie Zach down.”
Lainey stiffens beside me, her eyes narrowing. “Are you calling me a gold digger?”
Clarissa crosses her arms, her expression smug. “If the shoe fits.”
Lainey takes a step forward, her fists clenched, but before she does anything, Blair sweeps into the room like a storm.
