“Piper, I owe you an explanation.”
My heart sank. “You really don’t.”
“I want to. I went through life always doing what I wanted without explaining anything. I never thought I had to. That’s probably what led to the whole fallout with Charlotte’s mom.”
“You said it was a one-night stand,” I whispered.
“Yeah, it was. But I told her I’d be in touch after that night and never was.”
“Beckett! That’s not a reason for hernotto tell you she was pregnant. Everyone knows the risks with hookups. I’m not trying to make excuses for you, or men in general, but every guy says they’ll call.”
“Regardless, I don’t want to send out mixed signals.”
“All right.” I looked down at my shoes. I was wearing red heels paired with a dark blue dress.
“You have an effect on me unlike anyone I’ve met before.”
His words nearly knocked me off my feet. I hadn’t expected this. “Oh.”
“You do something to me, Piper.”
“What do you mean?”
“I don’t know. I can’t explain it. It’s just the way it is. At any other point in my life, I would pursue you.”
Once again, the air was knocked out of my lungs.Pursue me?I didn’t even know people said that anymore.
“But this is a very bad time for me. Though maybe that’s not the best way to describe it. It’s a great time because of my daughter, and I love spending time with her. I love that I have her.” His voice was dripping with happiness. God, he loved his little girl so much. I connected with that on an instinctive level. “But I want the best for my daughter. And that means I can’t be dating, or even thinking about someone… the way I do about you.”
“I get that, Beckett. You don’t have to explain yourself,okay?” My voice was soft. Deep down, I’d hoped he’d tell me something completely different. I sat down behind my desk, kicking off my shoes and wriggling my toes. “You have your hands full.”
“It’s not just about that. I’m trying to find the best way to navigate in this new stage in my life.”
“As you should.”
“So, I have a proposition for how things should go between us from now on.”
“I’m listening.”
“We’ll communicate through emails.”
“Of course.”
“And if there’s anything you need to discuss specifically with me, we’ll meet at the office, and someone from my team will be present.”
My stomach dropped with utter disappointment. “That’s a very good idea.”
He was doing the right thing, which made me like him even more.
“Fuck,” he said. “I can’t believe I’m doing this.”
He drew in a sharp breath, and I did the same.
“By the way, I’m caught up in meetings this week. So, if you get together with Sonia and Nina, I won’t be there.”
“That’s good!”Oops. Did I come across too enthusiastic?
“No, it fucking isn’t,” Beckett said in a low voice.
