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Chapter 2

“When is Kylee coming?” Charles Bishop sat back in his tall chair at the head of the table. The Sunday brunch spread before him was like a feast fit for a king’s court.

“In just a few weeks, Dad. School ends earlier there.” Sterling sank his teeth into one of his mother’s homemade biscuits and couldn’t help but moan. He looked forward to his family’s monthly brunch—a tradition his mother, Patricia Bishop, or Patti as most called her, started once life began to steer her adult children in varying directions. It was her way to keep them all connected.

Patti clapped her hands together. “I can’t wait to see my baby girl. I think I’ll take her with me to California in July. What do you think about that, Sterling? It will only be a week.” Patti continued without giving Sterling a chance to respond. “Sandra’s grandkids will be there too. We could take the girls to Disneyland. Yes.” His mom confirmed her plan right then. “Kylee will love it. When does she have to go back to Chicago?”

“Kylee would definitely love that,” Sterling’s sister Taylor interjected. “I may have to go and chaperone.”

“No need for you to chaperone. Sandra and I can handle Kylee and the girls.”

“Not for Kylee—for you and Aunt Sandra! I know how you two get when you’re together.” She reached across the table and sliced the butter with a small knife and spread it across the top of her biscuit. Patti laughed and gave her daughter a dismissive wave.

“You just want to go to Disney.” Sterling winked at his sister.

“You saw right through that, huh?” Taylor held her hand over her mouth and laughed. “You’re never too old for Disney.”

“Speaking of which. I may need to borrow Kylee a few Saturdays.” Stephan’s comment elicited questionable expressions from the rest of the family including Sterling. “I have a couple of events where she would prove to be...” Stephan stretched his eyes, seeming to search for the right word. “Helpful.”

Taylor rolled her eyes and then directed her attention to Sterling with the tip of her fork. “Sterl, you know he intends to use your daughter to catch women, right?” She turned back to Stephan with a shake of her head. “Kids are not like carrots to a rabbit. You can’t lure women with a six-year-old.”

“Yes I can!” Stephan’s laugh belted from his mouth. He slapped the table. Sterling chuckled and shook his head. He knew Stephan was right. He always received more attention from women when his daughter was with him.

Patti narrowed her eyes over the top of her glasses at Charles. “That,” she pointed at Stephan but kept her eye on Charles, “comes from your side of the family.” She swirled her finger in the air. “All that silly thinking.” By now everyone at the table was laughing.

Sterling loved the camaraderie his family shared as well as the way they doted on Kylee. “I just want her to have a great summer.”

“She can help me have a great summer also.” Stephan raised his brow. His lips eased into a Cheshire grin.

“Really, Stephan!” Taylor huffed and shook her head.

Stephan burst out laughing again. “You all know how much I love my Kylee. Attracting women when we’re together is just a perk. They love kids and dogs—especially the small ones.”

“They’re looking at how you interact with children and dogs. Adoration is attractive,” Taylor added.

“So that’s it.” Stephan threw his hands in the air, feigning understanding. “It’s not because they think I’m ridiculously handsome?” He laughed at his own joke. In unison, Sterling, his sister and parents just stared at Stephan for a moment before laughing themselves.

“And that part—” Charles pointed at Patti this time “—comes from your side of the family!”

“Stephan, how about getting married and having some kids of your own. I could use more grandchildren while I’m still able to hang with them.”

Stephan stretched his eyes and placed a forkful of frittata in his mouth.

Patti sat back. “So how long, do y’all plan on staying single? I want more grandkids. I need other little girls to leave my clothes and jewelry to.”

“She’s talking to you two.” Sterling pointed between his brother and sister. “I’ve done all of that already.”

Taylor and Stephan looked at each other and at the same time, without a word they stood and began clearing the table. Charles’s belly laugh could have shaken the foundation.

“You too, Sterling.” Patti added with a narrowed gaze. “That marriage of yours didn’t last very long and Kylee could use a few siblings.”

Also without a word, Sterling got up and joined Taylor and Stephan in their silent table-clearing protest.

Now Patti laughed, loud and strong. She enjoyed teasing her kids. “Uh-huh! You all just want to deprive me. How about I help? I’ll find a nice lady for you two and a nice man for you, Taylor. I have plenty of friends at work whose children are still single.”

“NO!” All three shouted—hands in the air as if they could stop the comment. Their laughter joined together filling the space with an air of mirth.

Good-humored conversation continued as the family worked together to clean the kitchen and put away leftover food. Charles asked about Sterling and Stephan’s technology business, which continued to grow exponentially and keep them extremely busy.

Charles then headed to the den, sat on the couch and put one foot up on the leather ottoman in the center of the room. “Y’all got time for a movie?” Charles pointed the remote at the television, clicking it to life.

“What about that movie with Denzel that was in the theaters a few months ago. I never got to see that one.” Patti flopped on the couch next to her husband. Charles put his free arm around her shoulders and she nestled inside his embrace.

“Let me see if I can find it.” Charles flipped through several channels on the TV.

Sterling, Stephan and Taylor finished up in the kitchen and joined their parents. During the search for the movie, the conversation somehow turned back to their single status.

“Sterling, do you think you’ll ever get married again?” Taylor tilted her head contemplatively as she folded her feet under herself on the loveseat.

“Yeah. It’s possible.” Sterling shrugged. “My relationship with Raven wasn’t horrible. We just weren’t right for each other.”

Sterling was seated on the other side of Patti. She touched his hand. “You tried to do the right thing, honey, and I applaud you for that.”

“She was carrying your child, son. Your actions were noble,” Charles added.

Sterling drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Yeah. I didn’t expect it to fold so quickly, but we knew it wouldn’t work.”

“I’ve always said it was best for Kylee to experience what it’s like to have two happy parents living separately than two miserable ones living together.” Patti nodded, punctuating her statement.

“And we all benefit from the best part of it all,” Taylor interjected. “We got Kylee.” She tilted her head and flashed a toothy grin.

Sterling’s smile generated deep from his core. His family’s support and admiration for his daughter pleased him. Taylor was right. They had Kylee—the best little girl a dad could have. She was the reason he hardly dated. If he were to bring a woman into his life, she’d have to not only accept the fact that he had a daughter, but she’d have to adore his sweet Kylee.

Sterling realized his desires might be a lot to ask of most women and if he had to stay single until Kylee grew up, then so be it. He just hoped he really wouldn’t have to wait that long.