Page 49 of Good as Gold
I’d finally snuck over to his place this morning and washed it while Benito and Skye were still asleep. I’d left a note on the windshield that saidyou’re welcome.
“That was a joke,” I point out. “Don’t get used to it.”
“The point is that you shouldn’t feel guilty for living your life,” Zara says. “And if Leila wants you to be her sperm donor, that’s an honor. Say no if it makes you uncomfortable. But don’t say no just because you think she doesn’t know what she’s doing.”
“That would besexist,” my younger brother says gravely. Then he smirks, because sexism always sets Zara off, and Benito is a troublemaker.
Nicole comes trotting back to us. “Who wants to give me a piggyback ride!”
“Uncle Matteo does!” Benito says with a chuckle.
It’s really no problem, so—mindful of the baby in front—I kneel down in the grass, and she climbs right up onto my back. We all resume walking toward the chicken coop.
“So what did you tell Leila?” Zara asks, pointing her phone at me to take a picture.
“I got her some Advil and a glass of water and told her it was time to sleep.”
“No,after,” Zara insists. “She said she wanted to apologize.”
“Yeah, that was an awkward conversation. I told her there have to be better candidates for that job. She should really find some guy who went to Harvard or who plays the violin.”
“But she askedyou,” Ben says. “Never tell a woman she doesn’t know her own mind. They hate that.”
“I see the rooster!” Nicole yells. “Can I give him some seeds?”
“Yeah, sure.” I swing her to the ground and dig into my pocket. I’ve been keeping sunflower seeds handy, so I can lure the rooster back into his enclosure when I’m tired of hearing his crowing.
I kneel down on the ground and carefully parse some seeds into Nicole’s small hand. “Give him those, and then I’ll give you more for the hens.”
She runs off again as I climb to my feet. The baby on my chest kicks happily. “So anyway, I told Leila that it was a wild idea to think of me as someone’s daddy. Like, nobody could picture that, right?”
“Um…” my sister says. “I just watched you carry both my children at the same time, and then provide Nicole with snacks for a bird. What do you think daddies look like, exactly?”
Benito snickers. “He even got Micah to go to sleep the other night. That’s, like, next level.”
“I’m so confused right now,” I complain. “It sounds like you two actually think this isn’t a dumb idea.”
“It isn’t—if both of you want it,” Zara insists. “Tell me this—if you could snap your fingers and give Leila the life she desires, would you do it?”
“OfcourseI would. But it’s more complicated than that.”
“I know,” my sister agrees. “It really is. But don’t tell me you’re not a good enough guy for the job. That’s just not true.”
“She’s right,” Benito says. “Leila should be so lucky.”
Not sure I believe them. “It’s not going to be me,” I insist.
I just wish I could stop thinking about it.
CHAPTER18
LEILA
MAY
Hangovers only last a day, but embarrassment lasts longer.
My week crawls by, and I avoid the bar downstairs at all costs. I don’t even know if Matteo is working, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.
