All In No Regrets Except Losing Her Chapter 06
[Zane’s POV]
Back in his room, Zane splashes water on his face.
Sits on the edge of the bed. Can’t sit still.
He picks up his phone. Dials her number. Muscle memory.
Voicemail.
Texts won’t deliver. Calls go straight to nothing. Every app. Blocked.
He stares at the screen, and somehow — it makes him more sure.
He thinks about sophomore year. Quinn got mad because he forgot their anniversary. Three days of silence. Wouldn’t pick up. Wouldn’t text back.
He showed up outside her dorm with a box from that bakery she loved.
She stuck her head out the window. Eyes all red.
Said “go away.” Came downstairs two minutes later.
So that’s what this is. She’s waiting for him to come crawling back.
He takes a breath. Calls Silas.
Picks up on the second ring.
Zane opens his mouth. Doesn’t know what to say.
A few seconds pass. Then: “Tomorrow. You and Quinn—”
“I’ll give you one heads-up. For old times’ sake.”
Silas cuts him off. Doesn’t even let him finish.
“Tomorrow’s ceremony? That’s your last chance to get her back.”
Click.
Zane sits there. Phone in hand.
Knew it.
The whole thing’s fake. Just to make him come running.
He feels calmer. Surer. Like he’s got it figured out.
She can’t leave him. They’ve known each other their whole lives. Three years together. How could she just walk away?
He loves her. Of course he does. But not this version. Not the version that pulls stunts and plays games.
She wants to play? She can clean up her own mess.
Right then — a knock.
He opens the door.
Ivy. Silk slip dress. Bottle of wine.
She walks in. Sets it on the table. Looks at him.
“So tomorrow — are you playing the Legacy Game or not?”
Zane drops onto the couch. Grabs the corkscrew. Opens the bottle slow.
“Of course I’m playing.” Flat. Calm.
“Once-in-a-decade game. Best tables, biggest pots. We didn’t come all the way out here to bail.”
Ivy relaxes. Sits across from him.
“Good.” Her voice is serious. “Kai put his whole trust allowance on the line. Don’t let your feelings screw this up.”
He pours two glasses. Slides one over.
“Relax.”
They drink.
Wine goes down easy. Room’s quiet. Something in the air shifts, slow.
A few glasses in, Ivy drifts closer. Leans into him.
Zane frowns. Pushes her shoulder back. “Go back to your room.”
Ivy doesn’t move.
She tilts her face up and kisses him.
His body goes stiff.
He wants to push her off. But the warmth, the softness — everything he’s been holding back all day lights up at once.
A long moment before Ivy pulls away.
Eyes half-closed. Looking up at him. Breathing hard.
“Stop pretending, Zane.”
Her voice is so low it’s almost nothing.
“Once, twice — what’s the difference?”
“After last time… you’ve been thinking about me too. I know you have.”
Zane doesn’t answer. His breathing’s getting heavier.
Ivy’s fingers trace his jaw. Voice dropping. Soft. Needy.
“If you didn’t want this — why’d you let me win? You threw away the whole ceremony for me.”
She cups his face. Murmurs against his mouth.
“I won’t tell Quinn.”
“I just want tonight.”
“Zane… I’ve wanted you since before she ever did.”
Her face fills his vision. Those eyes. No pretense. Just want.
The wine. The anger. The certainty that Quinn’s just playing games.
Something in him gives.
He exhales.
Picks her up. Carries her to the bed.