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“It's to protect him.”

“Uh-huh,” she said.

I sensed Meg was certain I was selfish, and didn’t know how to explain that wasn't it as my pop arrived along with cheese bread.

“It's more than him. Okay. Yes, I want him there. I can handle the rejection. It's not that. It's that if I tell him, he will feel obligated to tell the sibling of this child and I love her to bits. He has a daughter. She's amazing and... I don't really want to ruin her life and lose her, too.”

My voice faded. I may have been making stupid choices and avoiding Cole, but I also avoided Piper. My urge to protect her was implicit until this moment.

“I guess that is... complicated.”

I nodded and focused on the cheesy goodness.

“So you really like him? Like a lot?”

I shrugged.

“Chloe, it’s okay to admit you care about someone.”

“I feel so stupid, okay!? It was just a bunch of hookups. Then, the night that I got pregnant—it felt so emotional. He’s protective and loving and this amazing dad. We’re this great team. We shouldn’t be, but we are. We’ve been collaborating⁠—”

“Oh my God, he’s the hot daddy cowboy!”

I flushed bright red.

“Chloe, that is… wild. But you two have amazing chemistry. Sorry, yes I watched the series. He likes you. I promise you he will want to know.”

I shook my head. “You weren’t there when he said he was done with kids.”

“I think if he’s the dad you say he is, he will want to at least help. The kid deserves that much.”

“It will complicate things with his kid. I love her to bits, Meg. She’s wonderful and a teen and it’s bound to be A Thing.”

“Then, you owe it to her, too.”

I cocked my head. “Why?”

“Because she’s involved. If she’s this great kid you care about, she’s old and wise enough to feel lied to when you don’t tell her. Wouldn’t she want to know she has a sibling? I can say that after the dust settles, she will feel more betrayed if you don't tell her.”

I thought about Piper’s love for the baby riders and that little perfect nose in my ultrasound picture. I knew Meg was right.

“You’re right. I need to come clean.”

Meg nodded, but sat quietly. It was still awkward.

“I… I don’t know how to say this,” I said. “And… it seems like a terrible idea, but I just wanted to hear your voice and get your advice. Meg, you were my best friend. And my life has been a disaster without you.”

Her tears welled. “Trust me. That makes two of us. I feel like I lost an arm when I fucked it all up.”

“We were a fabulous team, weren’t we?”

“Yeah. God, I miss that. If I could take it all back, Chloe, I would. I am so sorry I ever let a man have that control over me.”

I reached across for her hand, unable to hold back.

“Why the hell are we letting a fuckboy come between us then?”

She snickered. “I don’t know, honestly.”