Page 47 of Why Not Forever?

“You’re right.” He grins at me as he presses the button for the elevator. “It’s worse.”

We take an Uber to the restaurant since there’s no good parking nearby. When we get out, Tanner takes my hand and we start inside.

“What was the one thing?” he asks.

I don’t bother to ask him what he means. I’m actually surprised he hadn’t asked when I’d said it. I bite my lip, but ultimately decide to tell him the truth. “He made you COO.”

Then we’re at the table where Mom is waiting alone, and I kiss her cheek before sitting across from her.

“Hello, dear,” she says. “Tanner. It’s lovely you can always make it.”

He shrugs as he settles in next to me. “I go where Vic tells me.”

Mom purses her lips. “Hm.”

I pick up the wine list. Even though I wouldn’t normally drink two nights in a row, I’m sure I’m going to want a glass or three tonight. I’d be happier with a beer, but Mom disapproves of it. “Where are Dad and Liam?”

“Working,” she replies with a sigh. “Your father had a business meeting this afternoon that ran long, and your brother is working on a big project. They should both be here soon, though.”

There was a time in my life when I would have been annoyed that I’m expected to be at these dinners—and on time—while Dad and Liam could be late or not show up at all. But as I said to Tanner, I’ve learned to care less and less about what my parents expect of me and just go along with most of it to keep the peace.

“Actually,” Mom says, bringing my attention back to her from the wine list, “I have something I wanted to discuss with you two before your father and brother arrive.”

“What’s that?” I ask.

The waiter arrives and Mom waits somewhat impatiently for me and Tanner to order drinks, a wine for me and a scotch for him. Neither of us are drinking what we would normally choose, I notice. He also usually prefers beer.

Once the waiter leaves, Mom continues as though there had been no interruption. “I’m wondering when you’re going to start trying to have a baby. I have a good friend whose daughter does acupuncture that’s supposed to help aid fertility. And you know fertility starts to decline once you hit thirty-five.”

“I’m thirty-two,” I remind her.

She waves her hand as though thirty-two and thirty-five are exactly the same thing.

I take a breath. I’m honestly surprised it’s taken her so long to ask this question. I’d expected it of her a week after Tanner and I were married, if not sooner.

“We’re not planning on trying to have a baby at all, Mom,” I tell her as the waiter returns with our drinks. I am more grateful than he can possibly imagine.

“Now dear, you’re not getting any younger. And you’re married. Surely it’s time to start thinking about starting a family.”

“I’ve told you at least a hundred times before. I don’t want kids.”

“Have you considered Tanner in this matter?” she asks, gesturing to him. “He’ll want to have children and as his wife—”

“Actually, Mrs. Sterling, I don’t,” Tanner cuts in, then takes a sip of his scotch, as though this is not earth-shattering news, though certainly it is to my mother.

“You-you don’t?” Mom stutters.

“Nope. That’s something Vic and I agreed on before we got married.”

It isn’t. We never talked about kids. Partly because our marriage is going to end in less than a year and we’d agreed to not have sex. I look at him now, trying to contain my shock at his statement, at his ease of lying to my mother.

“But you come from such a large family,” Mom says.

“Exactly.” Tanner takes my hand, offering me the warmth of his presence. “There’s already so many kids in my family. I don’t need to add any more. Besides, how can I keep favourite-uncle-status if I have my own kids to chase after and spoil?”

Mom gives her fake laugh, the one reserved for not-funny jokes said by people she’s supposed to impress.

Dad arrives and saves us from continuing the conversation or trying to find a way to change the subject. He kisses Mom’s cheek like I had done and takes a seat next to her.

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