“Being a guardian to our children might not be anything you have to worry about. Honestly, I’m not sure how much more of this baby rollercoaster we can take. It’s really taking a toll on us.”
“It’ll happen. You just need to be patient.” Carter said assuredly. “Some people have been trying for years.”
Damian wasn’t as confident. “True. I’m lucky to have Harlem. She’s an amazing woman. I just feel like a baby would really seal the deal between us.”
Harlem was the lucky one. Carter thought. He had never seen this side of Damian. The man sounded almost insecure. “Are you trying to tell me that you don’t think your relationship would survive not having kids? If so, that’s fucked up.”
“That’s not it. I’m almost thirty-two, and I just want what I’ve never really had, and that’s a family.”
“That part makes sense. Why don’t you just get married if you’re looking to trap Harlem?” Carter said, only half-joking.
“You know how I feel about that. Marriage is a certificate. It doesn’t guarantee shit.”
Carter sat back in his seat. “Can’t argue with you there. I’ll even go so far as to say monogamy is not natural. Not long-term anyway. Not sure how you people do it.”
“I can’t see any woman putting up with yo ass long-term either.” Damian laughed before turning serious again. “Monogamy can be a challenge, but with the right woman, it’s worth it. Harlem checks all of my boxes. If you quit hanging around women barely out of high school, you might find that person whose mind is as sexy as her body.”
Carter couldn’t imagine. “I dream about making money, not settling down. At all. My parents are both on their third marriages. Each trying to outdo the other. And kids? Why would anyone put children in the middle of that shit? No, thank you to all of it. Like I said, I’ll leave marriage and kids to you and the guys.”
“I agree that most marriages end in disaster. Solid relationships don’t. Harlem finally understands where I’m coming from when it comes to that. I just wish her mom would quit guilt trippin’ her about living in sin every time we go for a visit. Mrs. Thomas is great, but I hate that she always brings up Harlem’s childhood wedding plans. It almost feels like she owes her mom a wedding. Seriously, if Harlem wants a party with a pretty dress, we can do that.”
Like that promise ring, Carter thought. He still wasn’t sure how Damian pulled that one-off. “Every woman wants marriage, financial security, a man who can wear em’ out and put them to sleep.” Carter laughed. “I’m only willing to give one out of the four.”
Damian chuckled. “That’s why your ass is still single. Harlem has her own money. She doesn’t need mine, but if anything were to ever happen to me, I’ve got that covered. She is the beneficiary on all of my assets, and I’m the beneficiary on all of hers.”
“All of them?” Carter asked.
“Well, all of them except for my business. Shares in Fox, Johnson, and Steele Investments will be divided between Spencer and Nate, but they’ll have to pay Harlem market value for them. Otherwise, everything else goes to her.”
“I don’t know, bro. That sounds a lot like marriage to me.”
“Exactly! I am committed. It took some time for her to trust that, but once she realized it, all the superficial talk of weddings stopped.”
“Interesting.” Carter didn’t believe Harlem was over the wedding thing. He figured she just accepted Damian’s terms for the relationship.
Damian ran a tired hand across his face. He checked his watch, then pulled Carter’s investment portfolio out of his bag and passed it over to him. “We better get to it since this is the reason we are here. I’ve got another appointment, and I don’t want to be late.”
“How can you be late? You’re the boss.”
Damian lowered his voice. “I uh . . . have a follow-up appointment with a specialist this morning.”
Carter was surprised. “Follow-up? Is everything okay?”
“I saw him the day after the negative test result. He . . . um . . . said there might be an issue. I’m going today to get the results.”
Carter raised a brow. Concerned, he asked. “What’s the bottom line?”
A pained expression appeared on Damian’s face. “I might be dealing with a worst-case scenario.”
“That means exactly what?”
“Harlem’s body is working fine. There is no reason why she can’t get pregnant. The problem seems to rest squarely on my shoulders.”
Carter took a sip of his coffee. “Is Harlem going with you?”
Damian looked guilty. “Not this time.”
Carter slowly lowered his cup. “In other words, she doesn’t know.”
“I don’t want her to worry.”
“I don’t know much about relationships, but isn’t this one of those things you’re supposed to tackle together?”
Damian said a little more forcefully. “I’ve got this.”
Carter ignored him. “I’m sure you do, but I also know that Harlem would want to be there.”
“When did you become her cheerleader?”
He wasn’t. “I just call it like I see it.”
“Let me repeat it more clearly. I don’t want to worry Harlem.”
Carter sat up, placed his elbows on the table, and laced his fingers together. “I’ve known you
