“He’s too old money. Too rich. And too set in his ways.”
She raises both of her eyebrows in her classic Mama doesn’t believe you expression. “Is that a problem?”
“Yes.”
“How come? You work with lots of rich people. Actually, all of your clients are wealthy. And pretty stubborn, too, from what you’ve said.”
Put that way, what I’m saying now just sounds like whining. I push my hair out of my face and sigh. “It’s not the money, really. It’s simply that I’ve always wanted what you and Papa have, and I’ve always imagined it’d come with a nice suburban home with a two-ca
r garage, a couple of kids and…maybe a dog.”
Mama smiles. “That sounds so lovely. So what’s wrong with Edgar’s money?”
“He wants a mansion…or at least a really expensive penthouse,” I say with utter bewilderment. “A place like that was never what I visualized for my future. And I just never thought I’d marry somebody like him.”
Something that looks suspiciously like amusement sparks in Mama’s eyes. “Do you think you can still be happy in a mansion rather than a suburban home?”
I think about that for a moment, then clear my throat. “Well, uh… Yeah. I guess…?”
“And is there something wrong with Edgar’s personality? Other than being set in his ways, that is?”
“Not that I can see. I mean, he’s too serious, but…” I shrug helplessly.
“Being too serious isn’t really a flaw, unless he takes himself too seriously. Does he?”
“No. He takes his promises and duties seriously.” As I say it, I realize with abrupt clarity that Edgar would rather not commit to anything than to break his word. Holy shit. That means his insistence we ought to get married is a much bigger deal than I thought.
“That’s a very desirable trait in a man,” Mama says, interrupting my thoughts.
I nod slowly. “Yeah, it is.” But if he’s vowing to marry me and be a good dad to our child… “The thing is, Edgar says he doesn’t love me.” The admission is a little embarrassing, but more than that, I’m confused. How can he want to commit to a woman he doesn’t love? It doesn’t make any sense. In my world, people ought to marry for nothing less than love.
“It’s still very early in the relationship. You said you didn’t love him either, but it looks like you care for him.”
My breath shudders out of me as uncertainty and fear grow bigger. “Yeah. I think I do. And that’s what’s so scary.”
Mama pulls me close and kisses me on the forehead. “Jo, you’re a lovely young woman. Why would he insist on doing the right thing if he didn’t feel anything for you? Marriage isn’t the only option these days. He could’ve just offered to pay you and the child some money and been done with it. Seems like he’s got enough.
“You have to be open to possibilities if you want this relationship to evolve into something beautiful. It might surprise you. Besides, based on what I saw of Edgar at the restaurant, he seems overly in control of his emotions. Maybe he doesn’t even realize what he’s feeling for you. Some men are like that, you know.”
I know exactly what Mama means. Some men are just clueless about what’s going on in their own hearts. It’s possible Edgar is like that.
In fact, it’s even likely. I already know he isn’t hung up on some other woman. Maybe he’s never experienced love and doesn’t know how to recognize it even if it’s smacking him in the face.
“If this is what you want, you have to go for it,” Mama says. “Otherwise, you’ll regret it for the rest of your life.”
She’s right. If I tell Edgar no and end it now, I’m going to regret it. And so what if my man-picking track record sucks? My luck’s got to change sometime, right? Besides, Edgar is nothing like any of my exes. He’s stable, solid and responsible. And he makes my pulse flutter, my heart beat faster. He pops into my head when I least expect it, and he’s proven himself capable and caring.
He could be the one. I just have to be open to more.
I hug her. “Thanks, Mama! You’re the best.”
Chapter Thirty
Jo
After I come home, I send a quick email to Hugo. I need his SUV and his strong back, and he’s the easiest to coerce and cajole into doing what I want. I could ask my brothers for help, but they’d insist on a wedding ceremony first. They can be so modern when it comes to dating, except when it involves me. Then all of a sudden it’s like we’re back in Camelot or something.
That done, I text my friends about my decision to move in with Edgar. It isn’t something I can hide. Besides, I’d rather talk about that than the Aaron thing.