Page 109 of Sterling Fight

“Clay,” I groan, setting my elbow on the bistro table and placing my forehead in my hand. “I don’t have the merchandise I want to expand the line.”

“And I could help you with that.”

“You’re already running an empire,” I joke.

“And what’s wrong with adding more to the galaxy?”

“Was that a Star Wars reference?”

Clay smiles. “Dutton is a fan. He also likes Power Princesses. It changes every day.” The affection he has for his son is amazing and the twinkle in his eye as he speaks about his child is exactly how I envision Judd speaking about a child he loves. Heck, I’ve seen that gleam in Judd’s eyes when he talks about Simon.

“I’ll think about it,” I state, although I’ve already been thinking about Quirky Girl Calendars and if I’m taking my company in the right direction.

“Let me know if you need anything.” He raps his knuckles on the table and stands, picking up his uneaten scone and to-go coffee cup.

“Actually, there is something I’d like to talk to you about.” I lick my lips, nervous about what’s on my mind. My concern isn’t what I came into town to discuss, but with Clay suddenly in front of me, I can’t hold back. “It’s about Judd.”

I don’t want to betray him, but I also need help in supporting him.

Clay slowly sits back down, his hand tightening around his coffee cup. “Is everything alright?”

I shake my head and explain what I can.

While riddled with guilt after speaking with Clay, I also have a plan. An actionable one.

So, when Judd exits his bedroom, dressed for his evening fight, because he took a Friday slot due to family obligations for the remainder of the weekend, I’m also dressed. And extremely nervous.

Judd looks up at me standing in his great room wearing the green dress with ruffles along the neckline. The one I hope he remembers fondly.

“Hey, beautiful. What’s going on?” He eyes my outfit, noting my face lightly made up and my hair curled. His head tilts, and I can already see the gears clicking in his brain. He’s wondering why I’m going out and where I’m going without him.

Only, I’m not going anywhere alone.

“I thought I’d go with you tonight.”

“To the fight?” He blinks.

“Unless I can convince you to skip the fight entirely.” I shove at the shoulder of my dress, pushing it downward and hitching my shoulder up, giving Judd my best sensual pout as I glance at him over said shoulder.

He smiles. His face flushing pink. “Don’t tempt me.”

I tug the shoulder panel back upright and straighten. “I didn’t think that would work.” I clear my throat, fighting down the hit of rejection. “So, I thought I’d go with you.”

Judd continues to stare at me while fiddling with the cuff of his dress shirt. “I thought you didn’t want to watch that happen to me.”

I don’t. Still don’t, but . . . “I want to support you. I want to understand.”

Judd stares at me again. Really looks at me. The intensity is so strong, I feel raw. Naked. Exposed. Then he closes the distance between us and takes my face in his hands, lowering to kiss me, long and deep and breathless.

For a minute there, I almost think I have him reconsidering his fight. But when he pulls back, he lowers his forehead to mine.

“Thank you,” he whispers.

His gratitude reminds me why I’m attending. Judd doesn’t believe anyone will support his decision to fight. That no one supports him.

I’m out to prove him wrong.

38