Winning my Best Friend's Girl - Piper Rayne Page 0,62
me.” She looks around her messy art studio as if to prove her point. The way all the different sizes of paintbrushes are in one bin always annoyed me. Her paints aren’t arranged according to color. They’re just huddled together in one big group. “Your father agreed. I’m not laughing at you, sweetheart. I’m laughing because if your father was alive, he would’ve already seen what I didn’t. Kingston is a risk and you don’t take risks.”
“I’ve never thought of Kingston as a risk. I know how he feels about me. He’s never been shy about communicating that, at least after Owen and I started dating.”
She huffs. “That boy has always worn his heart on the outside for all to see. It’s what I always found sweet about him. But he’s a risk to you. You value control and you can’t control a man like that. It’s a risk to let yourself love someone fully because what if you lose them? A risk because he thrives in areas that are outside of your comfort zone.”
I pick up another paintbrush and run it along my palm. My med school peers used to get a kick out of all my highlighting and notecards, the color-coding process I used to help me organize my thoughts, how I had to study my notes in a particular order. Even for a med student, I was neurotic.
“If someone would’ve told me that your dad was going to die so young, do you think I would’ve said ‘oh, forget him’? Forget the brilliant daughter we’d make?” She pats my knee. “Because that’s what you’re doing. There’s no way of knowing what will ever happen. I can see how Kingston’s way of living is scary to someone who lost her father much too young. I always hated that you bore that loss. But he might land on both feet time and time again.” She raises her hands. “I’m just your mom, but do you think that it’s not the big stuff Kingston does, but more how he lives his life with the small decisions? That he won’t fit in that perfect box you’ve designated for your husband?”
“What? No.” I shake my head, but she tilts hers with a “think about it” expression.
“You two will face a lot of challenges. Not just because you value control and he likes a little bit of chaos, but because you’d be an interracial couple.”
I give her a ‘duh’ look. “I know, Mom.”
“I know you know, Stella, but it’s going to mean that you both need to be stronger than most if you’re in it for the long haul. Not everyone will be as accepting of your relationship as you want them to be.”
I shake my head at her. “I can deal with all that.”
“Then it’s the fact that a man like Kingston isn’t going to let you sit on the sidelines and let life pass you by. He’s going to push you to live life to its fullest. I think that’s what you’re most afraid of. But another thing I know about you is that you love a challenge. Kingston is the first challenge I’ve ever seen you run away from.” My mom stands, patting my knee one more time. “Think it over, and remember, you can respect Kingston’s wishes, but you don’t have to agree with them. You can make an argument back.” She smiles and leaves the room.
Yeah, she’s still the smartest woman I’ve ever met. I see why my dad snatched her off the market.
My phone dings in my pocket.
Allie: Okay, I’m in downtown Lake Starlight. Where do I find Grandma Dori?
You’ve got to be kidding me.
Me: Why are you in Lake Starlight?
Allie: Last night Lou was razzing me about how great she is, and I want to meet her so I figured I could spot her downtown. I went to Bailey Timber but they wouldn’t let me in the offices.
She’s certifiably crazy.
Me: I’ll meet you at Lard Have Mercy. It’s a diner at Main and Chestnut. I need your help with something.
Allie: Okay but if I help you, you help me, right?
I laugh, my thumbs poised over the screen.
Me: Sure, you help me and I’ll introduce you to Grandma Dori.
Allie: I’ll grab a booth!
I pocket my phone and walk out of my mom’s studio. She’s busy making tea and putting cookies out for the guests.