Frazer had sent her a text that had simply said that Tia wasn’t going to say anything. Which should have helped, but didn’t.

With a stab of guilt, she deleted the text. Because that was the person Cora was now, someone who had to delete texts that could be read the wrong—well, the right—way. But that had been okay. Before.

It all felt different now. If she’d had to see Alec, she might have broken down and cried, a confession staining her lips. It had been easy before to walk out and then pretend they’d been doing nothing.

Now someone knew.

She passed Tia in the hallway, who stared her down. Cheeks burning, Cora walked as close to the wall as she could and hurried to find Jack. If there was anyone that could distract her, Jack could.

Since he’d made the decision, it was as if all the tension had left his shoulders. He’d had his meeting with the adoption agency alone but then called Cora the day before and asked to talk.

Taking a steadying breath, one that did nothing to calm her racing heart, Cora opened the door to the office to find Jack already seated. There was no hiding his pregnancy anymore after this long.

“Stay sitting, Jack! Don’t be stupid.” Cora smiled at him as he struggled to stand up.

Groaning, he dropped back into his seat. “Thanks. I feel like I’m the size of a truck.”

“At least you must be warm under all those layers. Must be better than being pregnant in summer.” Cora had been, for all of a month.

“That would be hell.” He pushed his hair back out of his eyes. “Thanks for meeting me.”

“Of course, it’s what I’m here for. How’s the house that organization found you?”

“It’s okay. Kind of a long bus ride to everything, but my housemates are nicer than in the shelter. They’re loud sometimes, though.”

“Good.” What mattered was that he was safe. “And Doctor Freiburg’s appointments are still going well?”

This time, a smile played at Jack’s lips. “He’s good. Much nicer than the psych my parents made me see.”

From what Jack had told Cora, that wasn’t difficult. “Great. And you’ve been talking about your options after the baby is born?”

“Yeah.” Jack’s eyes brightened. “Hormones and things first. I told him I’m okay with taking my time—I’m still not sure about the surgery. About when to get it, I mean. I want it, but I don’t… I don’t need it now. Not like I thought I did. I can wait now to get some money together.”

“As long as you’re comfortable with your choices. It’s all that matters.”

“I just…”