Page 64 of Getting Over You

“It’s not about what we do,” I tell her, surprised at my own willingness to divulge this. “It’s about how. My mom—Greta—is walking sunshine.”The anti-you,I think. “She makes me feel amazing, like she’s elated that my sister and I exist at all times. She loves us so much.”

Belinda swallows.

I expect a ‘Don’t I?’Or even a ‘You know I’m happy you exist. Being your mother is my greatest joy.’

She watches my face and doesn’t say a word.

“With Mom, there aren’t any diets, or suggestions that I dye my hair, or lose a few pounds. Ever. She wouldn’t dare.” Belinda flinches, but I charge on. “She thinks I’m beautiful, no matter what. That’s the difference.”

“I didn’t intend to make you feelugly,” my mother says. “I don’t think you’re ugly, sugar.”

“It’s not ugly so much as…” I can’t believe I’m saying this. To my mother. “Unattractive? Unwanted?”

Am I projecting? This feels like projecting.

“I wasn’t trying to do that, either.” She sighs. “I just want you to look your best.”

“I’m happy as I am,” I say.

She considers this. “You are beautiful as you are. You are my daughter, after all.”

It’s a backhanded positive resolution, but it’s a positive outcome, nonetheless.

“What can I do to say I’m sorry?” Belinda asks.

I don’t even need to take the time to think about it.

“Ice cream.”

“You want… ice cream?”

“Yep.”

“Oh-kay. But you’re driving—all this wine is making my head spin.”

Chapter twenty-two

Gigi seemed fine after I kissed her. With Gigi, I’ve learned not to believe her when she tells me nothing’s wrong. You can’t believe any girl who saysI’m fineorit’s nothingafter you ask why they’re acting so fucking weird. Gigi Knox is no exception to the rule.

And because I felt like such an ass after the kiss, I’m going to resign myself to not pissing her off anymore. It’s fun to push her buttons, but even if Gigi says she’s fine, I don’t want to risk it.

I like hanging out with her.

I like her, period. It was a no-brainer for me to volunteer to do the shopping for EJ’s party—the minute she offered I knew I was going to take her place. That girl gives and gives and gives to everyone around her—between humoring me on my stupid attempts to spend time with her disguised as helping me learn how to date and helping Belinda at the diner, even though she’s not getting compensated properly, and now, beingwilling to grocery shop for my stupid ass brother so he wouldn’t inconvenience her friend.

She won’t even raise an issue.

That’s the kind of girl Gigi is.

I want to go on these stupid little things withher.It’s fun to watch her smile and roll her eyes at me and enjoy herself when she takes me on dates.

It’s cute that she thinksshe’stakingmeon these dates, really. I drive us every time, and I would be more than willing to pay for every cent, if Gigi wasn’t so Gigi, insisting on handling things herself.

She doesn’t need me. And that’s what I like about her.

“You’re sure you got this?” EJ asks for the tenth time, at least.

“Do you think I’ve never grocery shopped on my own before, dumbass?”

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