We get started on our little PR move, and I’m having fun at first, able to pretend to be badass and dark. But then we run into a fan of the series who gushes about how cute my new boyfriend is, and it’s like a punch to the gut.

“Are you all right?” Charles asks as soon as we get a minute alone. We’re seated outside an organic cafe, having just ordered smoothies. I’m working hard to keep it together, and just want my friend right now.

“No,” I confess, and tears fill my eyes.

“What’s wrong?” Charles leans in.

“Sam,” I start and have to stop and look up, blinking back tears. I have so much makeup on, it’ll be a mess running down my face it I cry.

“What did he do?”

“I…I thought he was going to propose to me because he was acting all weird.” I close my eyes and take in a slow breath. “He took me down to Lake Michigan at night and everything. But then he said he got his ex-girlfriend pregnant.”

”Holy fuck. I’m so sorry, Chloe. What a piece of shit to cheat on you—”

“He didn’t,” I interrupt. “They had a no-strings thing going before I even laid eyes on Sam in Silver Ridge, and that’s when it happened. I can’t get mad at him for that.”

“Are you okay?”

“No,” I say honestly and my voice breaks. “I don’t know what to do or what to think. He didn’t do anything wrong. They had a no-strings thing that he called off in the summer, and she just came to him recently to tell him she’s pregnant. I can’t be mad at either of them, and he still wants to be with me, but…but…am I an asshole for hating this? I feel so selfish.”

“You’re not selfish, and I think anyone would be rightly upset to find out their boyfriend got a side piece pregnant. It changes the course of your relationship.”

“Exactly.” Tears roll down my cheeks and I do my best to wipe them away without smearing the makeup. “We’re already in different states. Being unattached to anything other than work was what gave us hope. With a baby, I can’t ask Sam to come here for the weekend. It just makes everything seem impossible.”

“Nothing is impossible, and I’m quoting you on that.”

“I know.” I let out a shaky breath. “But it feels like it. I’m here. He’s in Chicago. We’re going to be traveling all over the world for the next PR tour, and if I sign on as a writer to that show I was telling you about, I’ll be overseas for half the year. I know that doesn’t mean we have to break up, but you know how hard a long-distance relationship is. What if he doesn’t think it’s worth it and wants to be with his child and not me?”

“Then he’d be a fool.”

“I was so happy,” I say, and my voice breaks. Charles pulls me in for a hug, and I start crying, face pressed up against his powder blue shirt, no doubt getting makeup all over it.

“I’m sorry, Chloe. That’s…that’s a lot to deal with.” He gives me a big squeeze before letting go. “Come on, let’s go back to your house, order way too much junk, and watch horror movies.”

26

Sam

I look at my phone, rereading the text I sent to Chloe. She hasn’t responded, and it’s fucking killing me. Her reaction was what I expected, as Chloe is an incredibly accepting person. She’s not mad, not irritated, and I have no doubt she’d even get along with Stacey, because that’s the type of person Chloe is.

I understand her fears, and I have the same ones. I won’t be able to go see her as easily as I can now, and right now isn’t even that easy. She deserves someone who can be with her fully, and if I can’t give her what she wants…fuck. I love her enough I want her to be happy, even if it’s not with me.

If she thinks the distance will make me fall out of love with her, she’s wrong. How long did we go without seeing each other? How many miles away was she from me? It didn’t change anything. I’ve been in love with Chloe Fisher since we were kids, and I will love her for the rest of my life.

It’s early, and I should be sleeping since I hardly slept last night. I don’t have to be at work until seven tonight, and it’s going to be a long fucking night if I start it tired. Setting my phone down, I roll over. I haven’t changed the sheets since Chloe left, and there’s a long strand of her red hair on the pillow.

I don’t want to lose her.

Swallowing the lump in my throat, I close my eyes. It takes a while, but I end up falling asleep. A while later, my phone rings and I jerk awake, hoping it’s Chloe. It’s not, and I want to send Stacey’s call to voicemail but answer instead. I can’t put this off, and now that the truth is out there, I need to move forward with everything—and get that DNA test done.

“Hello?”

“Hey, did I wake you up? You sound sleepy.”

“I’m up.”

“Oh good. Are you busy? We keep talking about going out to lunch and it hasn’t happened yet.”

I pinch the bridge of my nose. “We do, and no, I’m not busy. Can you meet up later today?”

“Yeah, that would be perfect! My mom is here, and I told her about the baby. She’s dying to meet you now and she’s so excited to have another grandbaby!”

Obviously if we share a child, our families will intertwine. The lump is back in my throat. “Okay. Where do you want to meet?”

“I’m really craving cheesecake, so The Cheesecake Factory?”

“That’s fine.”

“We can go soon and beat the lunch rush.”

“That’ll work,” I say. “How much time do you need to get ready?”

“Like five minutes,” she laughs. “We’re at the Water Tower Place doing some shopping.”

“Oh, okay.” I get out of bed. “I’ll head over that way now and will let you know once I find a parking spot. I’ll see you in a while.”

“Let me know when you’re almost here and I’ll get us a table.”

“Okay,” I repeat. “See you soon.” I end the call, toss my phone on my bed, and get dressed. Traffic isn’t too bad today, and I make it to the Cheesecake Factory and find a parking spot in under an hour.

I step in and look around for Stacey.

“Sam, hi!” Stacey waves, standing from her chair. I hold up my hand, letting her know I see her, and come over.

“Hi,” I say, and she steps right in for a hug. She presses her breasts up against me, and I can tell she’s not wearing a bra.

“Mom,” Stacey says, sitting back down. “This is Sam. He’s a doctor. Sam, this is my mom.”

“It’s nice to meet you,” I tell her and take a seat across from Stacey.

“You too. I’m Michelle.” Stacey’s mom smiles. “I think you’re right, honey, the baby will have blue eyes.”

The waitress brings Stacey and her mom the drinks they ordered, and gives me a menu. I quickly glance it over while Stacey and Michelle order and pick something more or less at random. I’m not hungry, even though I know I should eat.