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"It was. Until before I left."

"Start talking, Cooper. And you're in trouble for not calling me back."

I wince. "Sorry. It's been hectic."

"Excuses, excuses," she scolds and clinks my drink against hers. "Now spill it."

I take a long sip. Then ask, "How much time do you have?"

"All night."

"Great." I stare at my glass.

She leans forward. "Lainey, spill the beans."

"So the rumor wasn't true. It was Alexander who married Phoebe. She's really nice, by the way."

She slowly lowers her drink to the table. Her expression hardens. "That stupid son of a bitch, Troy. I feel horrible. I should have considered the source."

"Crazy, right?"

"I'm so sorry."

"It's not your fault," I assure her.

She taps her fingers on her drink. "Shit. All the decisions we made were based on that."

"I know."

After a moment, she asks quietly, "How did you find out?"

I tell her all about showing up at the ranch and seeing Jagger for the first time. And the shock on his face when he realized Charlie was his daughter, but also about the stupid receipt he left for me.

Carla presses both hands over her face. "I'm going to kill Troy."

"Get in line."

"I told you Jagger was engaged."

"Because Troy told you."

"But I believed him."

"Why wouldn't you?" I ask.

She drops her hands. "Because it's Troy. I was so mad at Mason, I couldn't see straight."

"Don't you mean you're still mad at Mason?" I point out.

Her face hardens, and she doesn't answer. Then she asks, "How did Jagger take everything?"

A tiny smile sneaks onto my lips despite how mad I still am. "Better than I deserved."

"Really?"

I nod. "He was angry. Hurt. He still is, which became very clear tonight. But, Carla, he's been incredible with Charlie."

Her face softens.