Page 91 of Love in Mission City
“Yeah, I did. We did. My son has been in counselling, but hasn’t really needed it. My daughter’s too young.”
“And you?”
He shrugged. “I met with a grief counsellor a couple of times. Nice guy. I just decided early on that work and my kids would be my salvation. And school. That if I were too busy to think about Catherine, then I’d just be okay.”
“How’s that working for you?”
A chuckle. “You know me well.”
I had. At one point. But the man before me was achingly familiar and yet a total stranger. “Well…”
“Sorry.” He offered a crooked smile. “That wasn’t fair.”
“Nothing less than I deserve.”
He cocked his head. Then looked down at our joined hands for the first time. He raised his gaze to meet mine, those beautiful eyes sparkling. “Are you—”
“I’m out.” I gave a light shrug. “About two years ago. Grandpa retired. I mean, he made it to seventy-nine. Wasn’t doing court cases anymore, but he still came into the office every day. That got him through my grandmother’s death. But his eyesight was failing. I offered to drive him to and from, but he decided the time had come. I’m hoping my dad won’t hold on that long. I’d love to see him and Mom get some time to themselves.”
“How old is your dad?”
“Fifty-six. And swears he’s nowhere near ready to go.” I offered a sheepish look, with a raised eyebrow. “But my mother hinted that if I provided grandchildren, then she’d likely be able to convince him to work less.”
Cullen chuckled. “How does she figure?”
“Honestly, I have no idea. But my mother can be extremely persuasive.” I winced. “I just don’t have a lead on procuring those grandchildren.”
“No man in your life?”
He knew me too well to even begin to question whether there might be a woman. I was entirely gay. And he also knew I’d never be dishonest with someone in my life. I’d never be with a woman and deceive her that way. Had I considered taking a wife who wouldn’t want sex? Perhaps. Then I’d decided being alone was better than that kind of marriage.
“There hasn’t been anyone serious since…” I swallowed.
“Me?”
“Yeah.”
Chapter Two
Cullen
Part of me was shocked at Gil’s revelation, and part of me wasn’t surprised at all. The fact he hadn’t been with someone like he’d been with me? That tickled me and made me sad. Eight years was a long time to be without that kind of love.
And we had loved each other. Madly. Passionately. Deeply.
Just not enough to sustain a relationship outside of the university gates.
That’s not true. You hadn’t been willing to yield.
I’d been a prick. I’d demanded that he surrender everything to me. That he be willing to come out and to acknowledge our relationship. I’d been in third year civil engineering. He’d been in his final year of law school. Even knowing the backlash he might face at home—starting with his family and working on down—I still demanded he come out.
He'd refused.
I’d walked away.
And three months later was sobbing on his doorstep.
Catherine was pregnant.
