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“Mom! Listen to me. I’ve been working as a matchmaker for six months. I love it. It’s hard work, but it’s great bringing people together.”
Her mom laughed. “Matchmaking lonely people. Anybody can do that. With your winning smile and friendly nature, you should find a husband easily enough. Why don’t you pick one of the handsome chaps on your matchmaking database?”
Sinead swallowed. “Talking of handsome chaps, I could do with advice about something.”
“You’re not pregnant?”
“No!”
“Thank goodness.” She pushed her sunglasses up her nose. “I love you, but having a child is a major turnoff. A lot of guys worry everything downstairs will be ruined after a baby. I’m thankful I had a C-section and a quick tummy tuck at the same time. You can barely see the scar.”
Sinead ignored the stab of pain in her gut. Mom was always so quick to say how much she regretted having her. “It’s not that.”
“Oh, darling. Have you finally met somebody who wants you?”
“You could say that. It’s tricky. He wants us to get serious. We don’t know each other that well, and I’m not sure it’s the right thing to do.”
“Is he wealthy?”
“I don’t think he’s poor. He has his own ship.”
“Make sure he has enough money to take good care of you. You don’t want to marry someone gorgeous but poor. I did that with my first husband, and it got me exactly nowhere. Check out his bank balance before you go any further.”
Sinead’s nose wrinkled. “He’s very intense.”
“He’s not pressuring you into doing inappropriate things?”
“Oh, no, nothing like that. He’s sweet. He’s not pushy or into kinky stuff.”
“You need a man who knows his own mind and goes after things he wants. You can’t have one of these emotionally led guys who talks about his feelings. That gets boring. It’s like you’re dating a girlfriend. The novelty wears off. Is he attractive?”
“I think so. He’s got lovely eyes.”
“That’s a good start. Although, looks fade. Remember that old guy I married?”
“Liam, of course I do. He was lovely.”
“He was also twenty years older than me. At the beginning of the relationship, he looked refined and dignified. A year later, when everything started to sag and he couldn’t get a hard-on, it felt like I’d picked my husband from an old folks’ home. It was embarrassing.”
“Mom! It wasn’t that bad. Liam cared for you.”
“All I cared about was getting a decent settlement in the divorce. Just you remember, guys’ looks fade as well as yours. You don’t want to date someone old enough to be your father.”
“That’s not a problem. We’re about the same age. I can’t see his looks fading any time soon.”
“I don’t see the problem. He’s got assets, and he’s attractive.”
“You always tell me never to settle.”
“That’s right. If you doubt his intentions, or you’re not sure about him, move on as fast as you can.”
“I’ve no doubt about his intentions. I’m not sure I’m ready to commit to one person forever.”
Her mom shook her head. “I wonder if there’s nothing but air in that skull of yours. You don’t need to commit to one person. You try him out. That’s what I do with my husbands. When we marry, I never promise it’ll be forever. I go in with an open mind and an open purse. If things don’t work out, I fill my purse and leave. I find someone else. You do exactly the same with this guy. Promise him nothing and see what you can get out of the relationship. If it’s not for you, take what you can and leave.”
“I won’t want anything from him if the relationship doesn’t work.”
“Didn’t you say he has a ship?”
