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Sal whistles low and shakes his head “Daender-role reversals”

I raise iven Kynan and Jerico “I’ive up my career”

Sal tellsI already know, because Kynan and Jerico both told ive it up Who said you couldn’t be a o off to war and leave their kids back home with their husbands This is the twenty-first century, Hart You need to move into it”

My head bon not in shaht Kynan’s right Jerico is right I can totally keep doing this job and be a ht beside me I can’t use that as an excuse any off balance and panicky

I’m not overly close to Sal We have arelationship and a trusted bond that we’d protect the other But we don’t hang out as friends, and we’ve never had a ument we once had over the best whey protein powder on the market counts

So, I’m totally surprised at myself when I look back up to him and blurt out, “I don’t think I can be a mom”

Sal’s chin jerks inward and his eyebrows rise high “Shut the fuck up, Hart You can totally be a mom”

The feelings of panic and desperation start to constrict my chest I shake my head, my voice al a mom? I’m hard and no nonsense If et up and rub some dirt in it I am not mother material”

Rather than ehs froentle reproach as he shakes his head “You’re totally equipped to be a mom You’re loyal and dedicated You’d protect your kid’s life with your own, and you’d never let anything bad happen to it You’d give it the best opportunities, sacrificing yourself to do so You’d be calreat ot it?”

I ignore the slight ringing ina stupid shake of my head

Sal leans closer, his voice soft “I know it because you exhibit all those things to our teaer advocate No greater confidant Never a more loyal person to those she’s sworn to protect You’re more a mom than most women out there, Hart And you can take that to the bank”

“I’ out another tactic in hopes Sal will take back everything he just said

“Are you talking about the baby or Bodie now?” Sal asks dryly