I shrugged. “Magical GPS?”
“I’ve seen weirder tonight,” Sterling answered. “I guess a better question is why?”
“Curiosity,” I said. “Don’t really know.” The booze was making me feel a little woozy. I didn’t want to talk anymore. “I’m sorry I’m here, Sterling.”
He fell silent but continued with the unnerving stare. His jaw clenched. “I’m not.”
“You’re… not?” Color me confused.
“No. I’ve missed you.”
I waggled my index finger at him. “Is this the moment when you tell me things you shouldn’t because you know I won’t remember it tomorrow?”
Sterling shut his eyes for a moment. Maybe he was praying for patience. “Maron, I like you.”
I groaned. “Noooo. Is this one of those it’s not you, it’s me?” I threw my hands up in the air. “We’ve already established multiple times that it’s you!”
Amusement twinkled in his eyes. “We can’t have kids,” he said.
“I know.” Sadness made me tilt my head down to study my lap. “It doesn’t mean we can’t be together.” I took a deep breath and looked at him. “Do you really love her?”
Silence stretched between us.
“Because if you do, I’ll call a cab right now and never darken your doorstep again.” I rubbed my face. “It would be better if I could storm off dramatically, but I’m afraid I’ll face plant.”
A smile quirked the side of his mouth. It was a slight upturn of his lips, but sadness was all over his face.
“You aren’t going to answer me, are you?” I said. When he stayed silent, I let out the hopeful breath I’d been holding and pulled my cell phone out. I requested a cab or at least I thought I did and made my way to the door.
“I already know the answer to this, Sterling.” I turned to face him. “It’s okay to be scared of something and still want it, you know. I know you want your freedom. But I deserve more. When I leave tonight, I won’t be back.”
He didn’t respond.
My shoulders dropped and I reached for the door.
