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“She’s fine.”
Dad gives a skeptical look.
“Look, she’s fairly attractive. But look, I’m not ready, and I don’t want to marry someone just to get funding for my charity. Or because my father has to control my life. No.”
“You're overthinking everything. That's the problem. It always is with you.”
“But, Father, look. You’ve done this with three of my brothers already. They’re all settled, one with a child, two more with babies on the way. Aren’t three well-married sons enough?”
“No.” He purses his lips. “If she’s the objection, what about someone else?”
I shrug. “I don’t think it would be any better. But I’ll humor you.”
“Why, thank you, my liege. Who else is suited for the role then, if not her? Who’s more… arousing?”
“Ew. Dad.”
“What? It’s important.”
She was pretty damn arousing. But I don’t know her. Are we even compatible? She seems pretty rigid, just-so. I don’t know.
“Let’s think of other candidates who might fit the bill better.”
“With my transient lifestyle? No. And I’m sure she wants a family.”
“She does indeed. I think that would be good for you, too, Cedrick.”
I get up and pace the room. “I don't want to argue with you. I'd simply prefer to consider a few people. Playing board games with someone at age five does not mean you’ll have anything in common at age twenty-five.”
Dad props himself up on the pillows. “It sure sounded like you had a lot in common. I'm sure she'd find a way to fit a baby into that life.”
His determined expression only makes my brain hurt. I turn around and walk back to the seat. “Give me a break. It was just friendly chit-chat, nothing more. And a baby? You want me to have one right away?”
“I know she’s looking into options on her trip here. She told me.”
“She doesn’t have much discretion, does she? You want someone like that for a daughter-in-law?”
“If it means my son is married? Yes. I do.”
I walk over to the window and stare out through the netting. My hands dip into my pockets.
It's been a long time since I've been romantically involved with anyone. Every once in a while I’ll go on a date. Sometimes I’ll have a little fling while I bounce from one city to another.
But the thought of staying with any one person? Even my childhood friend, even if she’s hot, feels suffocating. But I shuffle through other women who come to mind, and all of them come up short. That's bound to happen when marrying anyone is not the course I want.
“Cedrick?”
I linger by the window ten seconds more then turn and sit back down.
“I just don't think it's fair to pull her into this. She might agree because of her loyalty to the crown and a sense of duty, but I highly doubt this is the right situation to bring a child into. I’m still getting used to the idea of a woman I’m responsible to. But a kid?”
“You make some good points. I can almost see where you're coming from. But I'd like to counter your argument. Maybe her qualities and the fact that she wants to be a mother are exactly what you need. Maybe you don’t even know it. And maybe she would appreciate having a father who she knows is an excellent candidate instead of a stranger.”
I raise an eyebrow. “You’re suggesting…”
“However you want to do it. But it’s better than random refrigerators of who knows what sort of men. And your children would be beautiful. And then there’s the matter of World Clinic.”
“What do you mean?”
