Emilio chuckled, although there really wasn’t anything funny about the situation. He knew it was past time to move on, but it hurt too because it meant he had to admit his real fear. “Do you really think that, Mama? I haven’t found anyone who thought I mattered enough to stay. Maybe there isn’t anyone for me.”
“How hard have you looked?” She squeezed his hand and then released it.
“Lately? Not very hard,” Emilio admitted. “Right after we broke up, you know how often I was going into Asheville. I met a lot of men, but no one who wanted more than quick and easy.”
“Perhaps you were looking in the wrong places,” she said. “There must be at least one man out there who would jump at the chance to build a life with you.”
Emilio picked up his glass. “From your lips to heaven’s ears, Mama. Maybe I should put out a personal ad and see who shows up.”
She made a scoffing noise and waved her hand. “Personal ads are so last century! You need to join one of those dating sites.”
That made Emilio chuckle again, more genuinely this time. “Maybe you’re right. I’ll do it in January.” He probably wouldn’t, but if it made his mother feel better to think he would, it was all to the good. “In the meantime, I’ll do what I must to work with Rayne and move on, all right?”
“Good.” His mother smiled at him, her expression fond. “I want you to be happy. I want you to be loved as you deserve.”
“Thank you.” Emilio stood up, going around the table so that he could lean down and wrap his arms around his mother, holding her close. “At least I never have to wonder if you love me.”
His mother slid her arms around him and patted his back gently. “I will always love you, my son.” She tilted her head back, her smile turning mischievous. “Even when you make a scene in the coffee shop and give the town gossips plenty of new fodder.”
Emilio returned the smile. “What is the showbiz saying? The only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about? But I won’t be making any more scenes, I promise.” He’d keep the promise, too. He needed to move on, and that meant letting go. He hadn’t been ready before. Now he realized it had never really been Rayne who had been holding him back, but himself.
