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“No, the moment we step out through those doors, we are back to not having sex and being just friends.”
I let out a low groan. “Whatever you say.”
“Oh, don’t be like that. I’m sure there are several other women out there who would be willing to take my place and warm your bed.”
“None of them are like you. There is only one you, and you are the one I want.”
She chuckles like I just said something really funny. “Does that line always work for you?”
I decide to play along, even though I am hurt that she doesn’t believe me. “Isn’t it working?”
“No, it isn’t.”
“I need to work on my game then,” I groan.
“Yes, you do. So tell me, how did you grow up?”
“Like a normal kid, I lost my dad when I finished college, and so I had to step up as the man of the house.”
“I’m so sorry to hear that.”
“Thanks,” I reply with a nod. “It was tough, but we managed.”
We fall into a comfortable silence; the only sound filling the cabin is the gentle patter of rain against the windows. Despite the circumstances that brought us here, I feel a sense of peace wash over me, knowing that I have Jessy here with me.
“What about your mom? Are you two close?”
I take a deep breath, deciding to open up a little more to her. “My mom is still around, but I rarely visit her, and whenever I do, I don’t stay for long,” I confess, feeling a pang of guilt as I speak. “We have a complicated relationship.”
“Complicated how?” I can hear the curiosity in her voice.
I run a hand through my hair, trying to find the right words to explain. “Well, she’s always been... overbearing, I guess you could say. Ever since my dad passed away, she’s been on my case about settling down, getting married, all that stuff.”
“Really? But you’re...you know…I would think you’d have women lining up to marry you.”
I chuckle softly, though there’s a hint of bitterness in my tone. “Now you sound like my mom. She’s constantly setting me up on blind dates, nagging me about finding ‘the one’ and settling down. It gets exhausting after a while.”
Jessy nods sympathetically. “That sounds tough. But why don’t you just tell her to back off?”
I shrug, feeling a weight lift off my shoulders as I share my concerns with her. “I’ve tried, believe me. But she’s...persistent, to say the least. And I don’t want to hurt her feelings.”
“I get that,” she replies, reaching out to place a comforting hand on my arm. “But you shouldn’t avoid her because of that, Ethan,” she says, her tone soft but resolute. “She’s still your mom, and no matter what, she’ll always be there for you. You can’t let something like this come between you.”
“You’re right,” I admit. “I shouldn’t avoid her just because of that. She’s still my mom, after all.”
“Exactly,” she agrees, her eyes meeting mine with a reassuring gaze. “And you never know how much time you have left with her. You don’t want to have any regrets.”
“Yeah, you are right. I will go and visit her after this trip. It’s not that I don’t visit her, but I don’t spend much time with her because I’m trying to avoid the marriage conversation with her.”
“Our parents can be a little overbearing at times, but they mean the best.”
We both fall silent for a while. Then, breaking the quiet, Jessy speaks up, her voice carrying a reflective tone.
“You know, when I first met you, I thought you were one of the most arrogant people I’d ever encountered,” she admits, her gaze thoughtful as she looks at me.
I can’t help but chuckle at her candid remark, a wry smile tugging at the corners of my lips. “Really? And what changed your mind?” I ask, genuinely curious to hear her perspective.
She pauses as if considering her words carefully before responding. “I guess...getting to know you better,” she says, her expression softening with sincerity. “I realized there’s more to you than meets the eye. You’re not just some cold, unapproachable boss. You’re...human.”
