Page 74 of Both Sides Now

“So, when can I expect some wedding news onyourend? You’ve got the perfect woman. Now, can you two please get married and have a few babies?"

I groan, pulling her into a hug. "You know my rules about marriage and children."

"It's a crap rule."

"Not to me." Yes, it's a dick response, but it's been my standard reply for the last decade.

She pulls back, squeezing my arms. "Keegan, what happens when Calli wants a future? What if she gets pregnant?"

Her questions slam into me like a boxer’s fist.

I never truly considered a future withanyonebefore Calli. Most of the women I dated were shallow, clingy, or some obnoxious combination of the two. But they were easy, and I don’t mean pliable in bed—though that was never an issue. Like Megan, they were content to exist on my arm, being wined and dined.

Most were social climbers, looking for the deepest pockets and fanciest homes.

They didn’t love me. I didn’t love them.

But finding love with Calli isn’t the issue.

She already has plans in place. She wants a baby, using her late husband’s sperm. The only reason I know the woman is because of this desire and outside of being her doctor, I don’t figure anywhere into her life equation. That concept grows increasingly difficult to stomach every day.

I love her. She still loves her husband.

“It’s complicated, Mom.” Hopefully that will dissuade her from any additional questions.

It doesn’t.

“Love always is, but it’s worth fighting for.”

I rub my hand along the back of my neck. This is not something I want to discuss right now.

Or at all.

“Calli was married.”

My mom shrugs. “So were a lot of people.”

I shake my head and clear my throat. “Her husband died. She’s having a hard time with that.”

My mother pauses, her gaze resting on my date across the room. A soft smile plays on her mouth when Calli looks up and waves, a big grin on her face. “She’s having a good time with you. Look at her. She’s happy, Keegan. You have so much to do with that.”

Might be the afterglow. God knows I’m still reeling from how good she felt.

A sudden realization knocks me off kilter: our tryst only an hour earlier was completely lacking any sort of protection.

I should be ashamed of my impetuous actions. Mortified that I didn't take any precautions.

But I’m not.

Calli’s body feels like home—warm and inviting. All I want to do is sink inside her again and again.

Caution be damned.

I cough and shift my weight, adjusting myself.

Time to change the subject before the raging hard-on in my pants gets the best of me. That's the last thing my mother needs to see. “I assume there's a point to all this primping?"

"Of course. A plethora of photos, followed by the standard bridal party dances. Nadia has been chattering all evening about dancing with you. Apparently, you having a girlfriend is not a deterrent in her eyes."

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