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“You don’t have to leave, Cole. You’re sort of part of the barn now.”

He shrugged. “If I haven’t worn out my welcome, I guess I will stick around for a little longer.”

I grinned. “You’re welcome as long as you’d like. The moms would be sad without you and you’re tolerant of the kids. That’s rarer than you’d believe.”

“Ah, kids. I have infinite patience for them. Mine is nearly grown. Like I said, you’ll maybe understand someday.”

“I hope I will,” I murmured. “Maybe someday if I can ever find someone. Although, I won’t lie. I’ve contemplated doing it on my own.”

“Really?” Cole asked.

“I know you’re going to tell me, ‘Oh, being a single parent is hard.’ But I think missing out on parenthood might be worse? I have thought about freezing my eggs. My friend, Lanie, almost did. She ended up finding Mr. Right before, though.”

“It is hard, Chlo. I won’t lie.”

“But is it harder than being partnered with the wrong person?” I asked.

“Touché,” Cole raised his beer. “You’re right. It might be better. But Piper’s mom still does a lot. I am the primary parent, but… it’s nice to have time away sometimes. I don’t think I’d do it on my own completely unless I had to. That’s bold. Of course, I’m old and done with kids.”

That surprised me. “So, if you met some pretty young thing who was perfect you wouldn’t have another?”

He turned, dumbfounded. I realized Cole worried I was suggesting we have a baby. The thought hadn’t even occurred to me until that moment. Of course, now I’d not shake it. His face conveyed the truth, though. It would never be.

“No. I mean, if she had kids, sure. But would I have another baby? Nah.”

“Why not?” I giggled. “You’re not ancient. My brother has two young kids and he’s in his fifties. Not even for the perfect person?”

“I don’t think I’d budge. I know I’m not elderly,” Cole said. “But, that’s not for me. I spent early parenthood grinding away building a massive real estate business. I retired to live my dream and be brave. Having a kid? That’s a disaster for me right now.”

I fell silent.

“Chloe, I adore you,” he whispered, “and… I’d love to see more of you. But I don’t want to lie to you and say I’m⁠—”

I raised my hands, backing down. “Easy, cowboy, that wasn’t my suggestion. I was just… asking. I’m not proposing anything and… maybe it’s easier if I do it on my own. That’s all I’m saying.”

“Understood.” Cole relaxed.

“My mom built a business empire as a teen mom—a very much single mom. She was fiercely independent and wasn’t even sure she wanted to marry my dad. So much so that she didn’t take his name and insisted I had hers.”

“How did he handle that?” Cole asked.

“Like a champ because that’s just my dad,” I said. “He knows my mom’s main character energy is one of her best qualities.”

Cole snickered. “I won’t say you’re like your mom, but… I agree.”

I blushed. “Well, he didn’t have an issue with it. But maybe that isn’t you?”

“Honestly, I don’t think it would bother me. I married my ex knowing that. The problem was—unlike your mom, I suspect—she simply stopped wanting me in her life. I like ambitious women, but I am a homebody who puts family first. That’s where we came to blows, figuratively of course.”

I sensed deep pain there.

“I want a teammate. I am not sure that man still exists,” I murmured.

Cole met my gaze once more. “For you, Chloe?”

“No, for the moon,” I giggled.

“There is a man out there willing to give you the moon. Just don’t close yourself off or count yourself out. The best things happen when you least expect.”