Page 56 of Sterling Fight

You’re weak. What a fucking coward.

“I’ve only had Stone as a role model,” I continue. “But more so Clay was an example of how to be with kids.”

“Why? What’s the difference?”

“Clay is just more easygoing. Stone isn’t a hard man. Just quiet and reserved like me, so he isn’t the best person to emulate.” I chuckle to myself. “He’s a good man, though. The best brother. They both are.”

“It must be nice to have siblings.”

I side-eye her, knowing she doesn’t have any.

“When my mother’s husbands come and go, so did any stepsiblings I might have had.”

I don’t recall anyone being her stepbrother or stepsister.

“Most of them lived with their moms, more than their dads,” she clarifies as if reading my thoughts. “Anyway, I just always thought it’d be nice to have a big family. A loving set of parents, who went the distance with each other.” Genie pauses a second. “But it’s one reason I don’t plan to marry.”

“Ever?” I question.

“I don’t trust the institution. Look at my mom.”

“You aren’t your mother,” I remind her, swallowing a sudden lump in my throat. “Remind me what happened to your dad.”

“He died.” Her quiet tone suggests that’s the end of the subject. “He was everything to me.”

“I’m so sorry, Genie.” I cup the back of her neck, needing to touch her.

“My mom was like that for me,” I whisper, giving us each a moment while my thumb still rubs along the column of her throat.

Then I clear my throat. “So no to marriage, huh, fiancée?” I attempt to tease her, but the words sound more like I’m being strangled.

“It’s so weird being called that” she states, adjusting the ring on her finger.

“For a few more days.” The idea makes my stomach instantly sour. Like I told Genie yesterday, I want her. Like I also told her, there is no pressure to be more, if she doesn’t want that from me.

I just want her time and a new friendship.

When Genie doesn’t speak, I ask, “What about you? You might be against marriage, but what about kids? Lots of women decide to have babies on their own, by choice. Enya did.”

Genie turns her head but doesn’t ask for details, and I’m glad as that’s not my story to tell.

“I guess I hadn’t really thought about it much. Sometimes, I feel like I’ve let too much time pass and maybe missed out on something special but now it’s too late. Other times, I consider that dream for a big family, and realize I’d like a life partner, if I believed in marriage. Kids would be part of the package.”

Genie goes quiet again.

“For what it’s worth, I think you’d make a great mom, if you ever wanted to be one.” The way she interacted with Simon was priceless and she’d been amazing this weekend with my nieces and nephews. I know it’s not the same when a child is your own, but Genie has the loving, nurturing skills one needs to be a mom.

I stand by what I said earlier.

She’s perfect.

21

[Judd]

That night, I’m seated in the library when Genie enters. I’d decided to read after dinner, needing space with my thoughts about Genie. Only, I’ve read the same page twice and still don’t know what it says.

“Mind if I join you?” she asks, taking her time to wander amid the shelves in the dimly lit room.