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“What are you doing?” Bryn asked.

“Helping,” I said, wishing I could’ve done more after Derek’s death, been here more. Sure, I’d called almost every day and I’d organized a meal train and visited when I could, but it didn’t feel like enough. I was glad I could do something now.

“Logan.” Bryn rolled her eyes. “I didn’t invite you over to help around the house. I invited you over to hang out. I’ve missed you.”

“I’ve missed you too,” I said. “But technically, I invited myself over so I could record a podcast with Frasier and hang out with you and get my baby cuddles. But I always intended to help.”

“Okay.” She tugged on my arm. “You helped load the dishwasher. Now come hang out with me.”

I laughed, joining her on the couch. The living room looked as if they’d had an explosion of tiny baby things—diapers, wipes, clothes, burp cloths. I wasn’t even sure what some of it was.

She tilted her head, evaluating me. “You look…different. Happier or something.”

“I feel different,” I admitted, unable to contain my smile. “It’s good to be back in LA. To be home.”

LA was my home, and that was definitely part of my happiness, but I was omitting something vital. Carson.

And while I was tempted to blurt out the truth to Bryn, she had enough going on in her life without my drama. Besides, if I was going to tell someone about my relationship with Carson, I should probably start with Levi.

Levi was one of my best friends. It was going to be hard enough to tell my brother that I was in a relationship with a man he hated. I wanted Levi to hear it from me first. I owed him that much at least.

“LA suits you,” Bryn said, nodding.

If Anaheim offered for me, did I really think I could turn that down?

I missed part of what she said next, only catching on for, “If only we could get all four of us here at once.” She rolled her eyes.

“I know, right? I come to LA for the summer, but Georgia leaves. Kylie is always busy, though we did grab dinner together the other night. And you’re adjusting to being a new mom. Everything’s changing.”

“We’re growing up.” Bryn smiled wistfully, and I knew she was joking, sort of. She removed the baby carrier and placed it on the coffee table. “Have you talked to Georgia at all since she and Cece left?”

I’d thought we’d have more time together before their trip, but they’d left almost immediately after Cece’s party.

“We’ve texted here and there.” And I’d almost always been the one to reach out. “You?”

“Same. Do you think she’s okay?”

I grabbed a throw pillow, hugging it to me. “Why do you ask?” I didn’t want to betray Georgia’s confidence, but I understood Bryn’s concern. I felt it too.

“Call it mom intuition, but I’m worried about her. And while I’m glad she had this opportunity to spend the summer with Cece, I get the feeling Georgia is running away from something or…” Her eyes flashed to mine. “Someone.”

“Any idea who?” I asked, though after the other night, I had my theories.

Bryn shook her head as Frasier entered the living room, Morgan in his arms. “Hey.”

“Hey.” I smiled.

This big bear of a man cradled his daughter as if she was the most precious thing in the world. She was a week old—excuse me, eight days old—and she already had us all wrapped around her little finger. Especially her dad.

He sank down next to Bryn, and for a moment, they both stared down at their daughter with so much love, it was as if no one else existed in the world. Then, Frasier gently gripped Bryn’s chin, bringing her mouth to his for a kiss. It was such a simple moment, natural and beautiful, and I glanced away, feeling like an intruder.

Feeling like…a liar.

I hated that Carson and I were keeping our relationship a secret from our friends and family. If it weren’t for my brother and his complicated past with Carson, I would’ve already told Bryn.

I crossed my arms over my chest. I couldn’t keep lying to Levi, but I was terrified the truth would destroy our relationship. Levi and I talked at least once a week for the podcast, though we often hung out afterward, catching up on life. We texted all the time, and I’d never once hinted at my relationship with Carson being anything more than friends.

I loved my brother, and I didn’t want anything to come between us. And the longer this secret went on, the worse I felt. Not because I was dating someone I shouldn’t, but because I was lying to someone I loved.