My heart skipped a beat at that information, and I followed her gaze to the bar where the five Sterling brothers were seated along with Cooper.They were drinking, talking, and watching whatever sporting event was on the TVs."I didn't realize they were here."
Clara raised a brow."He didn't tell you."
"Maverick's been distant this week.I'm not sure what's going on with him."
"Did you two break up?"Reina asked.
"Not officially.But I think that's where it's headed."My chest ached, but it felt like it was out of my hands at this point.If the man didn't tell you what was going on, how were you supposed to figure it out?
"What happened?"Clara asked gently.
"I'm not sure.My mother stopped by unannounced for lunch the other day.She saw us hugging and had some things to say about me dating my contractor.
I was excited about the completion of the patio and starting construction of the fountain and the four-seasons room, but she made me feel like I was doing something wrong with an employee.But I introduced him as my boyfriend."
Meg's brow furrowed."Why would that have upset him?"
Reina tipped her head to the side."Unless he didn't want to be your boyfriend?"
I shook my head."We discussed the fact that we were girlfriend and boyfriend.So I don't think it was that."
"How did you leave it?"Clara prodded.
"I went to lunch with Mom, and he didn't come over at night like he usually did.He said he was tired.But he hasn't reached out since."I kept my gaze on the nicked edge of the table in front of me.I wouldn't look at the bar.I wouldn't have come if I'd known he was here.
Clara chewed her lip thoughtfully."You didn't invite him to lunch?"
I scoffed."And subject him to my mother?I was protecting him from her."
Reina frowned."Is that how he sees it?"
I bit my lip."I don't really know.We haven't discussed it."
"To be fair, you can't fix something if you don't even know what the problem is," Clara said dryly.
I wondered if she was talking about her last relationship that ended after dating for years.She didn't talk about it much, other than to say she was taking a break from dating."It doesn't stop my brain from conjuring up all sorts of scenarios, and they all end with us breaking up.He has these underlying insecurities where he believes that we're too different.I think it has something to do with his job and me going to college.It doesn't help that my mom turned her nose up at him."
"He should tell you how he's feeling.Otherwise, how are you supposed to know what he's thinking?"Clara asked.
Reina nodded in agreement.
And now we were sitting across from each other and not talking to each other.It was awkward, and I wasn't sure how to handle the situation."Should I go over there?"
Clara shuddered."And interrupt him with his brothers when he hasn't talked to you?I don't think so."
Reina shook her head."That's probably a bad idea."
"He can come over here if he wants to talk.And he should; otherwise, he looks like a douchebag," Meg said.
Reina burst out laughing."Tell us how you really feel, Meg."
"I don't have time for a boyfriend.But if I did, I wouldn't put up with being ghosted.He should man up and tell you what's going on," Meg said.
"I'm the one who screwed up.I don't think he likes the way my mother treats me or how she makes me feel."
"How is that your fault?"Clara sipped her beer.
"I think he wants me to limit contact or cut her from my life entirely," I said.
