Page 116 of Bless My Body

enough for him.”

“Excuse me?” Mom’s eyes look like they are about to pop out of her head. “She thinks my

daughter isn’t good enough for her son? I don’t think so. Who does she think she is?”

“What if she’s right? What if I’m not good enough for him?”

Mom’s brows crinkle together. “Why would you think that? Anyone would be lucky to have you.”

“You have to say that. You’re my mom,” I say with a grin to lighten the mood, but she doesn’t think

it’s funny. Her face is serious. “I just… I don’t know. It’s what? A week before graduation, and I’m

just now thinking about possible options for my life after college? I run from any form of commitment.

Just the thought of having a boyfriend makes me want to choke. I’m a mess. I’m a freaking mess. And

he deserves someone who can pull themselves together and be a grown-up.”

“Celine, I think you’re being a little too hard on yourself. You’re barely twenty-two. I wouldn’t

say you’re an adult yet at all. This is the time you’re supposed to be figuring out what you want. And

as far as the relationship, you might find that you actually like having a boyfriend. Especially if it’s

someone you trust and care about. You can always be upfront and set boundaries so he knows what

you expect and need. Things like a certain amount of nights to yourself, not to spend the night at each

other’s houses too often if at all, and one standing girls’ night a week. Things like that until you feel

more comfortable.”

“What if we start dating and end up ruining our friendship?”

“Oh, honey. I’m pretty sure you ruined your friendship when you hopped into bed with him.”

Hearing that truth bomb from my mother’s mouth makes me burst out laughing. She just shrugs. “It’s

true.”

“You’re probably right.”

“Did you tell Ezra what his mother said to you?”

“No. He would’ve been pissed. I didn’t want to do that, and I was so confused.” She nods in

understanding.

“I think you should talk to him. Tell him what you’re feeling. I’m sure he’d like to hear it.” She’s

right. Of course, she is. Ezra probably assumes our friendship is over anyway because I haven’t tried

to talk to him at all since he told me he loves me. I keep doing this. I keep running away from my

problems instead of just facing them head-on.

Visions of Ezra’s piercing blue eyes pop into my mind. The way he looks at me like I’m the only