“Fantasy,” Mom answers for me.
My brows hike up my forehead. I wroteonebook with an elf in there, and she’s been hanging on to that genre and completely ignoring the romantic elements.
“Wow. LikeLord of the Rings?” This is the first sign of interest coming from Jacob.
“OrGame of Thrones?” Thomas adds.
“More like...Vampire Diaries.” It’s the first thing that comes to mind.
Every person at the table gives me a blank look. I’m not sure whether it’s because they have never heard of it or they’re mortified by the admission in general.
“A mix of all of that, right, Jasmina?” Mom quickly adds, giving me the look that says,Shut up and nod.
“I’m more...” I clear my throat. Mom’s gaze burns into me.Bury me in a hole.“I do a mix of different genres... likethat, and contemporary.”
A genuine, heartwarming, honest smile splits across Thomas’s face. “I’d love to read it sometime.”
Absolutely fucking not.“No, that’s not?—”
“Let me buy a book, and you can sign it. I can tell everyone I know a famous author.” Agnes winks at me, wriggling her shoulders.
I glance at Mom, expecting her to downplay it, but for once she’s nodding like she might actually agree. I scoff internally. Of course. We have guests. She knows she has a penny of a daughter, and she’s going to build me up as if I’m the Empire State Building.
“I’m not famous.”
Agnes tsks, waving me off. “Shush. I remember hearing all about how many hours people waited to see you.” That was almost two years ago. Things change. “Imagine that, Jacob. We’ll get to say that our daughter-in-law is a celebrity.”
Thomas blanches and gives me an apologetic look on his mom’s behalf. All I can offer is a tight-lipped smile before staring down at my half-eaten plate as I wonder what my life would look like if I had a family even half as supportive as Agnes.
Would I be questioning my career path? Looking at going back to school because I’m struggling to pay bills? Obsessing over a fucking man who doesn’t know who I really am?
Maybe... maybe I should give this whole set-up thing a go. I mean, would it be so bad? I’d get to have Agnes as a mother-in-law, and I don’t really know what Leo’s mom is like as a person. What if she’s just like mine?
What if I never get anywhere with Leo? I’m going to need to move on with my life. What if I stop writing and have to go back to school? Do I want to be alone forever?
No, I don’t.
So at the end of the night, when we’re walking them to the door and Thomas asks for my number, I give it to him. And in the morning, when he texts, I reply.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Mina
Thomas: I think you need to put yourself in your mom’s shoes. She only wants the best for you, and they’re usually always right. I’m just saying that maybe you shouldn’t be so harsh on her.
Istare at his message in the darkness, rereading it, and stare blankly some more. We’ve been exchanging messages all day, and I stupidly let him in on my issues. Is he right? Are my parents right? Am I really the problem?
I mean, Mom has been right about everything so far. Thishobbyof mine will end eventually, and I need to think more seriously about my future. But that’s not completely true—my preorders are going well. I have a real shot of making it... I think.
And then what?
What if it flops after release?
What if I try putting out another book and slip right back to where I am, questioning whether to move on?
Mom’s voice is still ringing in my ears from her call to me a couple hours ago. Part of me saw it coming. It’s why I didn’t leave her apartment last night feeling optimistic and pleased about how the dinner turned out.
She was going to find something wrong. She always does.
