“Juliette, honey what are you thinking?” The disappointed tone cut her deep. “This isn’t you.”
“Mom, you’re not even giving him a chance.”
“I can’t help but believe you knew I wouldn’t approve. That’s why you kept it from me for so long. Is he dangerous?”
The weary look in her mother’s eyes twisted her guts into tangled yarn. If she worried about that now, seeing him in the flesh would only exacerbate the feeling.
“Not to me.”
“That wasn’t what I asked you.” The stern tone stiffened Juliette’s spine. She knew a ‘don’t test me’ voice when she heard it. “I don’t like this, Juliette. After months of not dating, this is the man you get involved with? It’s not you.” Her mother shook her head. “Is this really the type of man you should be getting involved with? You’re too old to be thinking with your lady parts.”
“Mom, it’s not like that.”
“Then tell me what it is because the picture you painted isn’t a pretty one.”
“I knew you’d be like this.” Juliette shook her head. “This is why I kept it to myself. He’s a warrior, an honorable man who lives by his own code. Unhampered by the rules of society, he protects those he cares about and lives simply.” Pride swelled in her chest. The thought made her insides quiver and her heart beat faster. A warm glow of happiness surrounded her, easing the sting of her mother’s negative response.
Her mother crossed her arms and frowned.
“Is that a romantic way of saying he’s flat broke but you plan on sticking with him anyway?”
Juliette rolled her eyes, biting her tongue to prevent a blowout between them. Their minds just didn’t work the same about some things. “No, Mom.”
“What? I want to make sure he can take care of you.”
“One, we’re dating not married and two, I take care of myself just fine, thank you.”
“I know that, honey. But you shouldn’t have to do everything by yourself all the time.”
They were back to the same played-out argument. Her mother seemed to think having a man would fix everything. Juliette disagreed. She had to be able to know she could make it on her own before she threw in with someone else. Or she’d always wonder about why she was with them, and hesitate and stay when she should walk away.
“I prefer it that way, actually.”
Her mother sighed. “You’re getting older and by now I’m sure you’ve figured out love is fleeting. What matters is security, the kind that ensures your world’s not going to come crashing down about your ears at any moment. You had that with Peter.”
The hair on the back of her neck stood on end. Her mother hadn’t mentioned him since Juliette explained the breakup had been messy, one-sided and told her she didn’t want to talk about it. “He was never what he portrayed himself to be.”
“No man is. He had power and wealth. Being easy on the eyes was an additional bonus. You’d be set for the rest of your life.”
“And completely miserable. Why are you bringing him up now after all this time?” Mentally holding her breath, she waited for an answer.
“I always assumed you were pining for him.” She shrugged. “Usually when someone doesn’t want to talk about a situation it’s because their heart is still in it.”
“Trust me, that’s not the case at all.” Juliette frowned.
“It’s never too late to reconnect. Maybe what you need is closure. Don’t use this new man as a distraction. ”
“I lost his number on purpose, Mother. When I said I’d be miserable with him, it wasn’t the dramatic ramblings of a girl who had her heart broken by her first love. Peter’s bad news with a capital B. He uses his wealth and power to hide behind, and Shooter could never be anyone’s replacement.”
“What do you mean, baby?” Her mother tilted her head.
“I really don’t want to talk about this. Just take my word. I’m much better off with Shooter.”
Apprehension flashed in her mother’s eyes.
“Is there something you want to tell me?” Juliette asked.
“I ran into Peter a few days ago, unexpectedly. He asked about you and asked me to put in a good word for him.”