Page 44 of Never Pucking Ending

“You’re gross,” I cut her off, watching her smile at me in amusement. “My bowel habits are perfectly fine, thank you. And there’s nothing to say about Dane. We went out a couple of times. When I get these plans approved, I’ll hire him for the job.”

I really need to text him. Has he texted me? It’s been days. Maybe a week. Or longer? I’m not even sure when the last time I heard from him was. It may have been when I apologized for leaving our meetup early and explained I had a horrible migraine. He’d told me to feel better and reach out whenever I felt okay.

And…I didn’t.

I’m the worst. This is why I’m single.

Mom’s shoulders dip with the weight of disappointment. “That’s it? When are you seeing him again? Where did you go out? I thought you’d give me more details.”

I grip the pencil in my fingers a little tighter as I turn my chair toward her. “We had dinner the first time and drinks the second. But I had to cut drinks short because I had a migraine. We haven’t seen each other since, and we don’t have any plans to.”

Her shoulders slump further. “Oh no. Did you talk to your doctor about trying that new medication I sent you the link of? The trials seemed to have worked for other people. I really thought the piercing was working its magic since you got it.”

The daith piercing was a last-ditch effort when I saw it go viral for migraine relief. I had it done a year ago. Has it helped? Maybe. I think I’ve had fewer migraine attacks, but it’s obviously not perfect.

“I haven’t looked into the meds you sent me,” I admit, rubbing my eyes. “I’ve been busy. But I’m okay. I promise.”

She doesn’t seem convinced, but she lets it go for now. “Do you want to see Dane again? His mother made it seem like you two hit it off. He’s been talking about you.”

It takes everything in me not to blush. “Oh,” I say weakly, trying to smile. What can I say? I think Dane is cute and considerate. He’s talented and driven. I like him. I just don’t know how much I like him. “I really don’t know, Mom. I’ll have to think about it. He’s nice.”

Her reaction makes it seem like I told her I thought he murdered puppies for fun. “Can I ask you something, sweetie?”

You’re going to anyway, aren’t you? “Sure.”

She hesitates, adjusting Dobby in her hold when he gets squirmy in her arms and then lets him down on the floor. He starts playing with some toys I bought him earlier this week. “Is there somebody else you’re interested in?”

It’s an innocent enough question, isn’t it? I wish the answer was as simple. “No.”

All she does is stare.

“No,” I repeat more firmly. “There isn’t. I’m not dating anybody. All I want is to focus on the bookstore. There’s so much to do.”

Her sigh feels heavy and full of unspoken words. “Oh, Belle…”

I know that tone. It’s the chiding one she uses on me and makes me feel bad for disappointing her. Not that she’d ever tell me she felt that way.

I drop my pencil, realizing I’m not going to finish this anytime soon with her visiting. She’s here to meet Dobby and go to dinner with me and Jesse, where his father will meet us after his work meeting is done.

“What?” I ask accusingly. She has something to say and I’d rather she just say it. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

“I’m not looking at you anyway,” she replies lightly, but it’s an obvious lie. “I’m simply thinking. That’s all.”

Is she really going to make me fish for answers? “Fine. What are you thinking about? Why did you ‘oh, Belle’ me?”

She rubs her lips together thoughtfully, weighing her options. The longer she waits, the more anxious I get. “Sometimes I think that you will always have an excuse not to live your life.”

I…

What?

I gape at her. “What does that mean?”

It’s hard to fight the offense in my tone. I’ve done a lot with my life. How could she think I’m not living it? I’ve owned my own club. I’m about to open a bookstore. I’ve made a lot of money and will be financially set for a long time as long as this new adventure gets the same support Belle’s Place did.

“Don’t be offended,” Mom tells me cautiously. “I only mean that you put off certain things and always use work or moving as the reason why. When are you going to truly settle down?”

I should have known this was coming. It’s been a while since we’ve had this conversation so we’re due for it. “I am settling down. We just moved here and I’m establishing a new business after selling my old one. There’s so much that I have to do before I’m ready to settle down the way you did with Frank. Times are different now, Mom. Nobody gets married and has kids early. Statistically, more women are having babies in their thirties after establishing careers first.”