Before the wedding, my blind date confessed, I have... a bit of a physical condition that makes having children...difficult
We couldn't have kids
I patted his impressively defined chest and purred, That's fine, Zachary. I don't mind.
So after we got married, to make up for his infertility, my really reserved husband had no choice but to indulge my every unreasonable demand.
That is, until the day my stomach begins to swell noticeably.
Huh
I thought he couldn't get me pregnant
Turning twenty-eight meant the marriage pressure arrived right on schedule.
When Mom called, I was still a little dazed by the whole idea.
Honestly I felt like I was in my prime. I had an apartment, a good car and a decent job. My parents were healthy and comfortably retired with pensions. Seriously, life was pretty damn sweet.
Finding someone to marry It sounded like finding troubles for myself.
Still, I listened to Mom and went to meet this latest candidate.
I squeezed the meeting into my lunch break.
According to my mother, Mrs. Winters, she'd finally picked someone who met all my criteria this time.
Yeah, right. I'd heard that before.
I arrived at the coffee shop five minutes early. I scanned the room and didn't see anyone matching the description. Then I grabbed a seat.
Five minutes later, a guy rushed in.
He looked around and spotted me, then headed straight over.
Zachary Sterling was dressed entirely in black. His shirt was unbuttoned at the collar, tucked into trousers that emphasize a narrow waist. He has broad shoulders and a lean, athletic build. Then my eyes landed on his face, shocked.
Wow. Mom actually did stick to my requirements this time.
Hi, I'm Zachary Sterling, he said, sounding genuinely apologetic. So sorry I'm late. I got held up after class by some students with questions.
Right. Mrs. Winters mentioned he was a college professor.
Professor Sterling, hi. Vivian Chase. I gave him my brightest smile.
Ms. Chase, I'm not sure if the matchmaker covered everything... I should probably introduce myself properly...
He had a gorgeous face C deep-set eyes, a high-bridged nose C but he avoided eye contact with me.
...I was in a car accident a while back. It means... I might have some limitations when it comes to fertility. He finally lifted his eyes to meet mine.
What was he mumbling about
I stared straight at that attractive face and chuckled. Professor Sterling, do you blush like this when you lecture your students
He froze.

My blind date looked like a bad boy, but his personality was unexpectedly...upstanding.
My words seemed to blow his mind for a second. I... I am not like that in class.
Can I go to your classes sometime I asked, still smiling at him.
Sure.
Ms. Chase, you haven't said what you think about... my condition. He lowered his gaze slightly, a hint of something like insecurity creeping into his voice C an emotion that seemed out of place on him.
Insecurity Honestly, it's the best dowry a man can bring.
Mom had vaguely mentioned his accident, but I hadn't paid much attention.
Professor Sterling, I need to clarify something, I said, leaning forward. Is it just that you can't father children Or does it... affect your sexual life I gestured vaguely.
His head snapped up, clearly stunned by my directness. He stammered for a moment before answering, J-Just the fertility part. Everything else... functions normally.
Would you expect a future wife to go through IVF
No., he said. Then after a pause, he asked quietly, And you Would you mind... not having children
Well... for you, Professor Sterling I could make an exception.
Sterilization is alsoa man's best dowry.
He tried to stay calm, but his ears flushed again.
So easy to fluster.
After the date, Zachary and I exchanged numbers.
Mom called, So Did you like him I heard the matchmaker sent his profile to other girls too. One of them was eager to meet him as soon as she heard he couldn't have kids!
What's wrong with girls these days A man can't father children, and suddenly he's in high demand Mom rambled on with confusion.
To be precise, its the man who couldn't father kids, but could have sex with, without worring about catching an STD.
Later that night, considering what my mom said, I texted Zachary.
Professor Sterling, I heard you have other blind dates lined up
After a while, he replied,
No. I turned them all down.
It was so easy for me to know if he was interested in me.
Right after that first meeting, I had to go out of town for a project. So our second date was delayed.