Chapter23
Belle
Maverick was upset with me.When I'd walked away from Maverick with my mother, I had a pit in my stomach.
Mom had seen me embrace Maverick, and she knew that he was my boyfriend.She'd had a lot to say about our relationship, and none of it was good.
I had a feeling I should have stood up for Maverick or invited him to lunch with us.At the very least, I should have told my mom she couldn't pop in anytime she wanted and demand I take her to lunch.I had a business to run and customers relying on me.And I hated the way I felt when I spent time with her.
But as usual, I went along with her wishes rather than stand up for what felt right to me.If I'd said no, she would have said I wasted her time, even though I hadn't invited her to come at all.She was infuriating.
And now I was worried that I'd broken whatever tenuous ties Maverick and I had built together.And there would be no getting them back or talking him out of however he was feeling.
He hadn't stopped by after work.We didn't discuss it, but I had a feeling that we were over.That when he came out of whatever funk he was in, he'd tell me that himself.
But for now, he was staying away.And I hadn't told him how I felt about him.It was never the right time, and now it was too late.I had a feeling he was closing himself off.Much like he had when we were teens.He'd made the unilateral decision that we were done.
I assumed it had something to do with how I handled my mother.Why would I subject Maverick to her?It was bad enough that I had to deal with her.
Was I supposed to cut my mother out of my life entirely?I couldn't see doing that.She was the only family I had, besides my father.And if I cut her out, how could I maintain a relationship with him?
This was a situation I wasn't going to win.If Maverick wanted me to choose him over my family, that didn't seem fair.I would never expect that from him.
Of course, his family was great, whereas mine was slowly chipping away at my confidence.I knew they weren't great for me.After spending time with my mother, I felt worse than I did otherwise.I doubted myself more; I wondered if the bookstore would fail.
I liked how I felt when it was just me, and no one was draining my energy.In that respect, it would be a good idea to limit their contact in my life.But I wasn't sure how that would work.And I didn't like the idea that a guy could tell me how to run my life.
Not that he was.I hadn't heard from him at all.I'd texted to see why he hadn't stopped by, and he'd given me an excuse.He was tired.He was always tired after work, so that wasn't the real reason.He was upset with me, and until he talked to me about it, it probably wasn't a good idea to guess what was going on.
Tonight, I was going out with the girls.They mentioned meeting at a bar down the street.I hadn't been there yet.But it would be a good idea to be seen around town, not always tucked away in my store.
I needed to get to know the other residents and shop owners.After I closed the store, I went upstairs to change into the outfit I'd worn on my date with Maverick at his house.It was the nicest outfit I owned, unless I wanted to wear a dress, which I didn't.
He hadn't officially broken things off, even though it was looking worse every day that went by without contact.He needed to make the next move.
I held my head high, opening the door to the bar.It was crowded, but my friends were at a long table along the back wall.
Clara waved me over, and I followed, not interested in anyone who was turning to see who'd just walked in.I wasn't here to get anyone's attention.
Clara hugged me, and I greeted everyone else before sitting.
Reina poured me a glass of beer I had no intention of drinking.I wasn't in the mood to let loose.I was just here to forget about Maverick for a few hours.
At home, I dwelled on how I might have messed up and the what-ifs.Here, I could let go for a bit.
"What's going on with you?"Meg asked.
"The patio in the back is done.We're just installing the fountain next."The surrounding stone wall had been installed.Maverick had been focused on the fountain as his crew worked on the addition.
He was known for elaborate outdoor spaces, fireplaces, kitchens, walls, and fountains.But I'd asked for a simple design.I didn't want to detract from the rest of the space.
"That's so exciting," Reina said.
"I can't wait until it's done," Meg said."We'll have to move our meetings outside in the summer by the fountain.
"That will be nice."I was so grateful for this group of women who were supportive and didn't tear each other down.
"The Sterling brothers are at the bar," Clara said."You didn't want to say hi to Maverick?"
