What would be nice is if my parents showed as much interest in my career as they do in my love life. “I can take care of myself.”
“Yes, but if you put half as much effort into meeting someone as you do your schoolwork, you wouldn’t have to.”
“Maybe, but then I’d be failing.” I bite the inside of my cheek to stop myself from laughing. “Imagine what the people back home would say then.”
I love my mother, but her antiquated views on marriage and gender roles are insulting. She might be happy tending house and raising children, but I want more. I want a career and a partner who sees me as his equal. Someone who supports and challenges me. Someone who loves me and encourages me to be the best version of myself.
“Fine,” Mama says, pulling a face. “But your father and I won’t be around forever, and we want to meet our grandbabies before we meet our maker.”
This time I allow myself a smile. “I don’t think we need to worry about that quite yet.”
Beside me, Sofia mimes taking a shot.
At this rate, I’m going to need an entire damn bottle of tequila.
“Listen, Mama. I have to go, but I’ll congratulate Hannah when I get home, okay?”
“Fine. But don’t you go sending her some impersonal text message.” She pins me with a stern look, one that says she means business. “You send her a proper card like a lady.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“A fancy Hallmark one, not one of those cheap thin cards they sell at discount stores.”
Heaven forbid.
“I’ll get the biggest card I can find. One with lots of sparkles.”
After all, everything’s bigger and shinier in Texas, even the greeting cards.
We say our goodbyes and I disconnect before she can drop another metric ton of guilt on my shoulders. I shove the phone back in my pocket and climb to my feet, stretching as a cool breeze ruffles my hair.
Sofia stands, following my lead, and we head toward the smoothie bar. “Mierda. That was brutal.”
“No kidding. With any luck, Hannah’s impending nuptials will keep the family occupied for the next few months and I’ll get a reprieve until the wedding.” My roommate shoots me a skeptical look and I shrug. “A girl can dream.”
“Bless your heart,” Sofia says, affecting my mother’s slow drawl. “I thought my mamá and her Catholic guilt were rough, but your mom just played the death card.”
“Right?” I shove my hands in the front pocket of my sweatshirt. “It’s not her fault. She’s a product of her upbringing.”
“Her upbringing sucked.”
“Truth. Can you imagine being forty-six and desperate to be a grandma? It’s ridiculous.”
Sofia flashes me a wicked grin. “You can bet your ass when I’m forty-six, I’m going to be living my best life, not planning my own demise…Clarabelle.”
I throw my head back and groan. “Can we just pretend you didn’t hear that?”
“Not a chance.” She laughs and slings an arm around my shoulders. “Now tell me more about this meeting with Nick Hart. I want all the juicy details.”
Chapter Ten
Nick
I’m attempting to review the year-end numbers when Miles enters the boardroom, looking like he doesn’t have a care in the world. Nothing new there. He’s never been one to let other people’s opinions—favorable or otherwise—get under his skin. If my brother has any fucks to give, they’re well hidden.
The irony isn’t lost on me.
After all, I’m the one who’s supposed to be heartless.
