Page 28 of Cloudy With a Chance of Bad Decisions

I debated asking himwhy, but figured that would be rude. Besides, I knew why. Before we’d dated, we’d been friends. And before we’d been friends, we’d been neighbors. We’d grown up practically living inside each other’s pockets. It would’ve been odd not to attend Roderick’s wedding—when I was the one in the Milton clan who had actually mattered.

“I wanted to be here.” The words surprised me almost as much as the factthat they were true. “I admit…I thought it was a little…unorthodox to invite me, considering our history. But I understand. I’m happy for you, Roderick. Truly, I am.”

“Thanks, George,” Roderick said, laying a hand on mine and giving it a squeeze. “Means a lot coming from you. You were a big part of my life when I was younger. I don’t think I’d be who I am today without you.”

Oh.

Well.

That was just?—

I blinked, misty-eyed. “I feel the same.”

We sat for a beat in silence, but that silence was comfortable.

“Friends?” Roderick offered me his hand. “No weirdness attached?” I shook it, unfairly reminded of the other handshake I’d received that day. Alex’s skin had been hotter, drier. And I could tell by the almost limp hold Roderick had on me that our lack of desire for one another was mutual.

“Friends,” I agreed, releasing his hand without feeling any sort of drive to linger.

“So—”

“No more sincerity,” I interrupted him. “Please. I’ve reached my quota for the day.”

“Deal.” Roderick laughed. “Good to see you haven’t changed.”

He was wrong.

Ihadchanged.

And not for the better.

Roderick was still talking, but I zoned out. A numb sense of sadness came over me as I watched the crowd mingle and laugh. People were gorging themselves on potato salad and red Jell-O. An unnamed child I didn’t recognize with jet black hair and an inflatable baseball bat was screaming at the top of his lungs.

“Anyway, we all thought you two might hit it off,” Roderick continued,oblivious to the fact that I wasn’t listening.

It took me a second to realize what he’d said.

“Not you too,” I groaned.

It seemed even Roderick was trying to play matchmaker.

“June’s brother is a really nice guy, George,” Roderick promised. “He’s allprofessionallike you are. A career man. Big job. Briefcase. The whole shebang.” There were plenty of “career men” out there. I sighed despondently. “—aaaaand he wants kids.”

Oh.

Oh.

Well, that was interesting.

My full focus was now on Roderick. He smiled at me, pleased. “June says he wants alotof kids.”

It was no secret that I, too, desired a large family.

I’d always loved children. More so than anyone. In fact, when I’d gone to college, I’d originally been planning on becoming an elementary school teacher. That hadn’t happened, but the sentiment remained.

I wanted to be a dad.

I knew I’d be good at it too. Firm where firm was needed. Kind and fair. I’d love all of my children the way they deserved to be loved—with my whole fucking heart. The problem was…I’d never been brave enough to attempt to adopt on my own.

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