Not You It's Me (Boston Love #1) - Julie Johnson Page 0,67

my face?

“You look pale. You’re much too thin. And there are bags under your eyes.” Her gaze sweeps my features. “In my experience, that can’t-eat-can’t-sleep feeling is usually caused by a man.”

My mouth nearly drops open.

In her younger years, Petra Annabella Summers had a face that launched a thousand proposals — none of which she accepted, even after I was born. When I was a kid, her sculptures sold well enough to support us, so there was no need for a man around, and even after I moved to the city at eighteen, she never expressed any desire to marry. As far as I know, she hasn’t been on so much as a date in at least twenty-six years.

And here she is, trying to fix my man troubles.

“Maybe I just wanted to see you,” I say defensively, unhappy at being so transparent.

“Maybe,” she agrees softly. “But I don’t think so.”

I fall silent.

“Gemma, love, what’s wrong?” she asks. “You wouldn’t be here if you didn’t need to work something out.”

I sigh. “It’s a long story, Mom.”

She wraps one arm around my shoulder, opens the screen door, and leads me inside. “How about I make you a cup of tea and you tell me all about it?”

I drop the duffle to the floor, unzip it, and pull out a bottle of pinot noir. “If by tea you mean wine, I’m totally in.”

She laughs. “Even better.”

I smile.

It’s good to be home.

***

By the time I finish telling her the whole story, it’s hours past midnight, the candles have burned low, and the wine bottle is nearly empty on the table between us. My mother is staring at me with wisdom in her eyes, but I have a feeling I might not like what she’s about to say.

“You need to hear him out,” she announces, confirming my predictions.

I sigh.

“Why can’t you take my side, for once, mother?” I ask, exasperated. “Didn’t you hear the part about the hidden fiancée?”

“Things aren’t always what they seem.”

“Well, it sure seems like he’s been lying to me since the minute we met.”

“Oh, Gemma, for goodness’ sake, you’ve only known the man a few days — doesn’t he get longer than that to reveal his deep dark secrets? Doesn’t he deserve a chance?” Her eyes narrow on mine when I don’t answer her question, but her voice is gentle when she continues. “You only heard one side of the story, and you bolted without waiting around to hear the whole thing. I taught you better than that, baby girl.”

The words snap out before I can stop them. “No, if anything, you taught me that men are liars and cheaters, who either leave on their own or aren’t worth keeping around to begin with.”

Her eyes get sad and it makes my stomach clench.

Shit.

“Mom…” I whisper, instantly filled with remorse. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean…”

She waves my words away with her hands. “Gemma, I know I haven’t always been the best role model when it comes to relationships. After your father….” She trails off, her eyes distant. “Well, I guess I just never really moved on. And afterwards, I always thought it was better for you to see me as a strong, independent woman, who didn’t need a man to make her happy. That’s who I am, who I’ve raised you to be.” Her eyes return to mine. “But that doesn’t mean I want you to give up on your shot at love, baby girl. It doesn’t mean I want you to distrust a good man when he comes into your life.”

“You don’t know he’s a good man,” I protest. “You don’t know anything about him.”

“I know you like him.” Her lips twist in the hint of a smile. “Enough to drive all the way out here and talk to your mother about it. That right there tells me everything I need to know.”

I sigh deeply. “You’re impossible. And even if I did like him, it doesn’t matter. It would never work out between us. We’re from totally different worlds. And then there’s the press… if they dig too deep…. I don’t want you to get hurt…”

“Gemma.” Mom reaches out a hand and places it on top of mine. “This isn’t about me — it’s about you.”

“I know that. But it really doesn’t matter, Mom. It just… isn’t going to work out.”

“Do you really think that? Or are you just looking for an excuse to push him away, because you know he’s not like the other men you’ve dated? Because you know