Page 66 of Four Weddings to Fall in Love
I’ve heard people say that you should pay attention to how a man treats his mother.A man who loves his mom and takes care of her is supposed to be a good sign.But in my experience, a man who’s close to his mother has always been a terrible sign, one that he didn’t have space for another woman in his life.
Except Maxshouldcare more about his mom than me, whom he hasn’t known for long.And she visits him one Sunday morning a month—there’s nothing wrong with that.I’m seeing red flags where there aren’t any.Surely a man can have a close relationship with his mother without them being excessively co-dependent and lacking any boundaries.Just because I haven’t encountered that in a partner doesn’t mean it can’t exist.
But despite that logical reasoning, I still feel wary.My hands are clammy, and the tightness in my chest refuses to loosen.
“Your shirt’s inside out.”Max pulls it off—nothing sexy about him removing my clothing this time—turns it around, and puts it on for me again.
There’s a knock on the door.
“Come out whenever you’re ready.”He presses a kiss to my forehead, turns to walk out of the bedroom, then hesitates.“If it would be easier for you, I suppose I could tell her you’re feeling under the weather.”
“No, I’ll be out soon.”
He leaves the room, and I pop a mint in my mouth and fix my hair.
This is why relationships aren’t worth it.
We talked about some difficult things earlier, but I was managing.I was proud of myself for being able to have those conversations.
I wasn’t ready for this, though.
When I hear muffled voices and footsteps, I release a breath, fix a smile on my face, and walk out.Max is making coffee, and his mother is sitting at the table.Her eyebrows shoot up when she sees me, but when she speaks, her voice is calm.Measured.
“Hi, Kim.Nice to see you again.”It’s hard to get a read on how Lynne actually feels about me.“Max mentioned he had company, but he didn’t say it was you.”
“I was…getting there,” he stammers.The tips of his ears are turning pink, and I’m charmed, despite myself.
“I brought pineapple buns,” she says, taking out a bag, “but I didn’t know there would be three of us, so there’s only two.”
Max turns to me.“You can have mine.”
“No, no, that’s okay.”I hold up a hand.“I should be going.”
“You have to eat something before you leave.”
Hmm.Food and coffeeareappealing…
I sit down, and he brings over a mug of coffee for me, as well as one for his mom.He returns with a small stack of plates plus a mug for himself.
Well, isn’t this a cozy, uncomfortable gathering.
Lynne looks at Max, and I swear her lips twitch.
I can’t help thinking of what he told me not half an hour ago.His mother wasn’t well after his youngest brother was born—though it wasn’t clear whether that was more physical or mental.
I bite into my pineapple bun.“This is really good.”
“Sadly, I can’t take credit for those,” Lynne says.“I bought them at a bakery.”
“Well, uh, good choice of bakery.”
“Your mother said you’re talented in the kitchen?”
“She was exaggerating.”Perhaps I shouldn’t admit that my mom embellished the truth, but sometimes lies come back to bite you in the ass, so it’s best to nip this in the bud.
Besides, I refuse to twist myself in knots to please some man’s family.I won’t be rude, but I won’t attempt to be anyone but myself.
“My cooking skills are subpar,” I say.“They don’t compare to Max’s.And I’ve never attempted to bake anything.”
