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“Gracias,” I tried politeness.

The waitress didn’t buy it, I was certain.

“We are moving back? Or will the house not be done?” Piper asked.

I always told myself I’d be honest with her. It pained me I hadn’t, but didn’t want to spook her.

“Uh… we’re not moving back,” I said. “I put the place on the market as a barndominium build with a hobby farm. Piper, there’s no way we could rebuilt it in time to live there before you graduated. And the insurance… it wasn’t making sense. I’m sorry, but we’re making more up north with clients there. I’m almost ashamed to admit it. They have deep pockets and... I don’t know. I’m sorry.”

She gaped at me. I braced for tears.

“Piper, I know this isn’t what you wanted⁠—”

Piper burst out laughing. A family stared in confusion. Silly Americans!

“Dad, it’s totally okay. I mean, I am sad to leave there, still. I know it was your dream, but I am living mine right now. I have friends… and...”

I sensed she held back.

I squeezed her hand. “You can tell me, Piper.”

“Dad, I have a girlfriend. Leslie. She’s not just my friend. I don’t like boys. And I know that will shock you and I’m sorry, but I can’t hide it anymore. I don’t want to.”

My jaw dropped. Did it surprise me? Yes. But was I upset? No. Still, I struggled for any words to match that admission. It was such a big thing.

“Say something!” Piper’s face reddened.

“Oh, sweetheart,” I sighed. “It’s not that I don’t care or love you less. It’s just a big thing you’re trusting me with, and I don’t think I can match it.”

She cocked her head.

“Sweetheart, thank you for telling me. I love you.”

She relaxed. “So you’re not mad?”

I chuckled. “No, Piper. I never could be. I love you unconditionally. I mean that with every fiber of my being, sweetie.”

She grinned. “Thanks, Dad.”

“Are we telling your mother?”

She shook her head. “I don’t have the energy. I will tell her sometime, but not right now.”

In a way, that left me a bit too self-satisfied. Piper always trusted me with her biggest feelings and hardest truths. And while that sometimes filled me with pride, it wounded me that she felt she couldn’t have those conversations with Brynn.

“I don’t think it will change your mom’s love for you, Piper.”

“I don’t think so, either. But she will handle it in her same emotionally stunted way. I cannot deal with that shit right now.”

I didn’t disagree, so I merely nodded. “Does anyone else know? I won’t out you. But if there are people who know⁠—”

“Riley, Jerry, and Chloe do,” she said. “Please don’t be mad.”

“Sweetheart, it’s not my life to live or my news to give,” I said. “Why would I be mad?”

“Because you’re my dad and I’m supposed to tell you everything. I didn’t mean to lie.”

“I didn’t mean to lie about the house, either. The problem was that I needed to get my ducks in a row. And now I’m apartment hunting.”