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“Since we’re talking about the future.Ourfuture—” His eyes searched mine. “I think you should know that I don’t intend to have any more children.”
I would’ve joked that it was too soon to talk about children, but the fact that we were going to tell Jude changed things. Made them more serious. More…permanent in a way.
I wasn’t sure what to think. But there was no need to decide anything now. Was there?
“Can we leave it open for future discussion? I mean, we haven’t even told your current child about our relationship. Talking about future potential children seems premature.”
“If only I were younger...” Knox shook his head, his expression one of longing and lament. “But I can’t imagine having a baby at my age. I’m too old to start again.”
“Psh.” I rolled my eyes. “You’re forty-seven. There are tons of celebrities who’ve had babies after fifty. Besides, I don’t even know ifIwantchildren.”
“That’s just it,” he said. “You don’tknow. And it wouldn’t be fair of me to ask you to give that up. Especially when we both know this won’t be easy.”
“No,” I said. “It won’t. But I loveyou, Knox. I love who I am when I’m with you.”
“I love you too,mi cielo.More than life itself. And I would give you the world, but I can’t give you this.”
Knox had always encouraged me to speak my mind. To challenge him. But I sensed he wouldn’t budge on this.
“I don’t need the world,” I said, cupping his cheeks. “All I want is you.”
He smiled, turning his head to kiss my palm. “What did I ever do to deserve you?” He placed more kisses on my palm, his scruff making me giggle.
“This isn’t just about Jude, though,” he said, turning more serious again. “People will talk.”
“Does that concern you?” I asked. “What people will say about us?”
“I only worry how it will affect you. I’ve lived my entire life in the spotlight. And while I might not be a celebrity like Nate, people can be nasty.”
I nodded. “It doesn’t help that I dated your son.”
“No, it certainly doesn’t. I will do everything I can to shield you from it, but…”
“People will still talk,” I said, knowing how this would look. How I’d be lambasted as a gold digger and worse.
“I want you to take some time to think about it,” he said.
I shook my head. “I don’t need more time. I know I want to be with you.”
* * *
“Whew.”I flopped back on my yoga mat. “That was intense.”
“You know what was intense?” Emmy asked from her position on the floor beside me. “That breakfast with Jude.”
“I know.” I groaned. “He just kept pushing for answers. It was so awkward.”
“Did you and Knox talk about it?”
“Yeah.” I continued to stare at the ceiling.
“Come on.” She stood and held out a hand. “You can tell me all about it at the juice bar. I’m buying.”
“You always buy,” I teased.
She lifted a shoulder as we slid into our shoes. After a short walk, we ordered our drinks then found a table outside.
“All right, girlfriend.” She pulled a reusable travel straw out of a carrying case and pointed it at me. “Spill.”
