Page 59 of Surviving Love
I grimaced. “More like she’d insist on coming along. Needless to say, it was less embarrassing to just not go anywhere.” I laughed gruffly, rubbing the back of my neck. “Nothing crushes the mood at a school dance like your mom watching you like a hawk when anyone dares to speak to you.”
“Yeah, that sounds like a bit much.”
I sighed. “She loves me. It wasn’t malicious.”
“I’m sure it wasn’t, but it also doesn’t sound healthy.”
I could feel him watching me. “She was getting a little better as I got older. She had to accept that I was going to live my life, such as it was. Then my accident happened, and she got bad again.”
“Her worst nightmare almost came true.”
I glanced up. “That’s exactly what Tony said.”
“Tony?”
I winced. “My ex.”
“Ahhh.”
“Tony was very good at sizing up other people’s problems but couldn’t see his own.” I sighed. “I guess we’re all kind of like that.”
“What were his problems?”
“I don’t know.”
He chuffed. “You don’t know?”
“Come on, Jack, you don’t seriously want to hear about me and my ex-boyfriend’s problems, I’m sure.”
“I do.” He shrugged. “We have nothing but time. Besides, I like getting to know more about you.”
“Why?”
“It can’t hurt to know more about my final three partners, right?” His smile was charming. He didn’t usually waste those warm smiles on me. Sherry had gotten her fair share, but not me.
What was he up to?
“You probably want to know more so you can use it against me,” I said softly.
He didn’t respond; he simply watched me silently.
I sighed. “Tony was controlling. Maybe I felt comfortable with that because of how I grew up.”
“You gave up your mom’s control for his?”
“Possibly.”
“Why’d you split up?”
I dropped my gaze, heat creeping up my throat. “Take a guess.”
He hesitated. “The accident?”
I nodded. “Yeah.”
Jack scowled. “I’d think that would make him more protective of you.”
I almost laughed. “He couldn’t handle the idea of me maybe losing my arm.”
