Page 120 of Falling for the Grumpy Bad Boy

“People like your father? Or people like Clementine?”

“That’s different.”

“How?”

I couldn’t answer that. Because the truth was, it wasn’t different at all. I was walking away from both of them for the same reason—because caring about people meant getting hurt. Because letting people in meant giving them the power to disappoint you.

“I’ll think about it,” I said.

“That’s all I ask.” She smiled and reached for the wine bottle. “Now, tell me more about this girl. Because if she’s got you this torn up, she must be very special indeed.”

“You met her, Mama.”

“I did. I liked her. But son?” She shook her head. I felt the lecture coming. “Why? Did I not teach you better than that?”

“She doesn’t want to be involved with me. I respect that. It’s too complicated.”

She scoffed. “Nonsense.”

“It’s not just that she doesn’t want to be involved,” I said, swirling the wine in my glass. “She shouldn’t be. Not with me. Not right now.”

My mother raised an eyebrow but stayed quiet, letting me work through it.

“You know how brutal this industry is, Ma. How hard it is to make a name for yourself, especially as a woman. Clem’s got real talent. More than talent. She’s got this pure love for food, for bringing people together. It’s beautiful to watch.” I paused, remembering the way her face lit up when she talked about family dinners and feeding people who needed it most. “But she’s twenty-four. She’s just starting out. If she gets tangled up with me and my reputation?”

“Your reputation isn’t who you are.”

“Doesn’t matter. Perception is reality in this business. You know that.” I finished the wine in my glass. “The media will tear her apart. They’ll always write about her connection to me instead of about her cooking. Every review, every opportunity, it’ll all be filtered through who she’s sleeping with. That’s not fair to her.”

My mother was quiet for a long time. “And how do you feel about that?”

I laughed. “I feel like I should be lying on a couch.”

“You don’t fool me, son. I know. I see.”

I sighed. “I don’t like it but I know it’s for the best. I won’t sully her reputation. It’s not fair to her.”

“I don’t like it either.”

“I know.”

“You need a good woman. I need grandchildren.”

I laughed. “I have to go. I’ve heard this part before. I’m working on it.” I stood and bent down to kiss her cheek. “Goodbye.”