Page 71 of Stupid Matchmaking Love

I nearly choke on the word. “You’ve been talking to the cousins?”

“What? Of course I have.”

“Jessie . . .”

“Rhett, you haven’t dated anyone in forever. What did you expect would happen? We’d all pretend like you weren’t?”

“I don’t know.” I cradle the phone to my shoulder as I take my shoes off. “I just thought maybe it wouldn’t be such a big deal.”

There’s a pause, and then she says, “You’re already planning to leave.”

I rub my thumb across my forehead. “No, I’m not.”

“Yes, you are. I can hear it in your voice. Rhett, I thought you were over that whole thing.”

My jaw flexes. “You don’t just get over your sister dying.”

“No,” she replies, her voice soft. “But you do stop blaming yourself for it.”

I don’t answer.

“Rhett.” She sighs. “You’ve got to put it behind you. I’m not your psychologist, but for the love of God, can you just allow yourself to be happy for once?”

I want to. God, I want to. Cristina told me her hospital story, and she looked at me as if she’d finally started to trust me. But what happens when I let her down? When she needs me and I’m not enough? I can’t survive that again.

“This girl—Cristina—she’s so pretty, and she might be the one. Mom wants grandkids.”

“You’ve given her three,” I remind her.

“She wants yours. Son-grandchildren. She keeps telling me, so I’m telling you. Get married. Have children. Fill the world with your seed.”

I laugh. “Wow. That’s deeply disturbing, even for you.”

“You know what I mean. Don’t be a dickhead. Just give this girl a chance. Don’t write her off.”

“I’m not.”

“What?”

Dammit, but my sister can sniff out a problem. “Nothing.”

“Tell me.”

I sigh. Shit. Might as well confess. “Cristina was in the hospital a lot as a child.”

“Is she now?”

“No.”

“Then what’s the problem?”

I plow my fingers through my hair. “It just . . . reminded me of Sarah.”

“Stop it. This girl is not going to . . . Well, she’s not our sister. For once, I’d like to see you happy.”

“You know what would make you happy?” I ask, trying to shift my sister’s focus.

“What’s that?”