Page 5 of Reeling in Love

“Ah, that bimbo, Paula, or whoever. She’s not good for you.”

“I don’t need you to tell me who’s good for me. Jesus! Is this for real?”

“In any case, it’s been almost six months since you started dating her, so I believe you’re close to dumping her.”

I’ve been having thoughts, but there’s no six-month-rule that she’s trying to portray here. True, I’ve never had a girlfriend for over six months, but maybe it’s my bad luck, or the fact that I’ve never dated the right girl. Who knows?

“I’m not meeting anyone for a date or dinner till I have a girlfriend, Maman. You know I don’t do that. And seriously, please stop trying to run my life.”

“Why? I’m your mother. I think about your future and happiness. You can’t spend your entire life flitting from flower to flower. And I’ve met Sophia and so has your Mamie. In fact, it was she who suggested you two might, y’know, be good for each other. Just imagine how much she thinks about you all the time. Anyway, Sophia’s lovely, not to mention she’ll inherit the entire Martin business. You’ll like her, I’m sure. At least, give it a shot, eh? Not as a date. Meet her for dinner, as a daughter of my friend. Hmm? You can do that for your Maman?”

I know she won’t get off my case with ‘no’ as an answer. Plus, I can always make some excuse later on and not go home when Sophia comes. Big whoop.

“Okay. I’ll meet her once. But that’s it. I don’t—”

“Super! She’s in Boston today. I’ve told her you’ll pick her up from her hotel at seven tonight. I’ll text you the hotel details and the restaurant where you’ll take her. Reservations are already done, so don’t bother. Love you.”

I stare at my phone as she hangs up and shake my head. I can’t believe this woman. Always playing games, always pulling strings to get what she wants.

I dial Nora. I really need to vent and calm down.

“Hey,” she says. “How’re you feeling after all the love you got in your favorite country?”

“Stop it. Not now.”

“Sorry. Too early for jokes? So the investor really got under your skin. C’mon, you can’t let it affect you.”

“Yeah. Whatever. It hurts because what he said was true.”

She pauses for a bit. “You wanna meet up for dinner? It’ll be good to chat face to face.”

“Nah. Busy.”

“Paula?”

“No. Sophia.”

“You and Paula broke up? And who’s Sophia? Why haven’t I heard of her?”

“Some girl Mom wants me to meet for dinner. Nothing more.”

“Oooh. Paula okay with that?”

“Shit! I dunno. Haven’t spoken to her about it. You think I should tell her before I go?”

I hear a scoff and I can imagine her rolling her eyes.

“You’re joking, right? She’s jealous of you talking to me. Of course, she won’t take it well if you go for dinner with some Sophia without telling her. Or is this your plan to break up with her? You’re almost at your six-month mark.”

“Jesus Christ! Will everyone just stop with this six-month thing already? I like Paula. For all you know, she’s the one for me.”

Right then I hear a ping on my phone and see Paula’s name on the screen. “Ugh. Talk about the devil. Paula’s on the line. My life sucks.”

“Take the call. For all you know, she’s the one for you,” Nora chuckles a little.

I swear I want to beat her up right now. I don’t care that she’s a girl. She’s beaten me up plenty as a kid.

“You thinking of beating me? You know you can’t, right?” She laughs again.

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