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“Here we go,” Pearl whispers. “Just know, whatever happens… Decker… I-I love you.”

My eyebrows knit together as I stare down at this woman. The woman who owns my heart. “I love you, too, Pearl, with every single ounce of my being.”

“Dad? Pearl? What are you doing here?”

I look up to see Phoebe, a pie in her hands, looking between the two of us. We spring apart, and her eyes widen.

“Uh, what’s going on?”

Pearl presses her hands to her face. “Hey, Phoebe. Um, we can explain, but you might wanna sit down. Or hand me the pie.”

She does neither, but her eyes do that thing where she’s talking, but no words come out.

“Well, it’s just⁠—”

“Oh my God. You and… my dad?”

“I-I know,” Pearl stammers. “I just want you to know, this was recent. I didn’t plan on anything happening. It just… did. I didn’t mean to fall for him, but we get each other. I’m sorry I didn’t come clean. I was scared. I don’t want to lose you.”

She’s so adorable when she babbles.

Phoebe is still staring at us, wide-eyed.

I take Pearl’s hand, standing a little straighter. “We fell in love, Phoebe, it all happened so quickly. And I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to, but Pearl is such a wonderful person⁠—”

“I know that.” She frowns deeper. “How long has this been going on?”

“Only a very short time.” Pearl’s voice wobbles, threatening tears. “Last night, we realized what we mean to one another. I’m so, so sorry. I didn’t mean to lie to you, or go behind your back. I didn’t know how to tell you⁠—”

“That you’re in love with my dad? Or is this just a fling?” She winces at the word fling.

Pearl shakes her head. “Decker is right. It happened fast, but we fell in love.”

“It’s true, and I know that’s hard to hear—” Decker begins.

“Well, thank fuck.” Phoebe sets the pie down on the table, shaking her head. “Because I’ve had to sit here and watch you two making cow eyes at each other for the last two fucking months and playing footsie under the table. I can’t tell you how infuriating it’s been.”

We stare at her with the same bewildered expression.

She rolls her eyes. “Don’t give me those looks. For heaven’s sake, I wasn’t born yesterday. In fact, I’ve been waiting for one of you to finally spit it out. Frankly, I’m annoyed it took this long. Especially you, Dad.”

I blink, trying to process her words. Is she for real? “So, you’re not mad?” Pearl chooses her words gingerly, and I can’t blame her. This is very unexpected.

“That my dad is happier than I’ve seen him in years? Of course I’m not mad. What kind of monster do you think I am?”

“But there’s a significant age gap,” I blurt, as if she has no clue about that. “And Pearl is your best friend.”

“And you two are adults who know what you want. How could I be mad when Pearl has been alone for such a long time, too? Whenever you stop at Saddle Hop, her face lights up like a damn Christmas tree. I’m actually super pissed I didn’t push you together earlier.” She tsks at both of us, and I don’t know whether to hang my head or give her a big hug. “Is it gonna be weird? Uh, yeah, I’m sure it will take some getting used to. But I think we can agree this isn’t the end of the world. Sure, Pearl and I won’t be having any more dirty talk, because, ew, but I’m truly okay with it.”

“Holy shit.” Pearl flinches when Phoebe moves in for a hug.

I let go of Pearl’s hand, and they hug it out.

“I’m sorry I didn’t come clean.” Pearl is on the verge of tears. “I didn’t know how you’d react. I want you to know your friendship means the world to me.”

Phoebe smiles, then pulls me in for a hug, too.

“Thank you,” I whisper. “You didn’t have to be this kind, but you’re my daughter through and through. Your mom and I raised you right.”