Read Online The Troublemaker Next Door by Marie Harte - Free Book Online
Authors: Marie Harte
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Her mother had a definite knack for instilling remorse, deserved or not. “Sorry, but I’ve been busy with work and trying to keep Abby and Vanessa from killing each other. Abby’s got deadlines, and you know that’s always a rough time to get through.”
Her mother laughed. “I love that girl. So creative. And how is your cousin, anyway? Still trying to boss everyone around?”
“When isn’t she? She’s Aunt Loretta’s daughter, go figure.”
“Poor kid.”
Maddie snorted, thinking the same. She made small talk with her mother, wanting to but not quite having the courage to mention her new venture as an entrepreneur. She wanted to prove to herself she could succeed before telling her mother.
For a few minutes, they discussed the diner, her mother’s new neighbor, and life on the East Coast versus Maddie’s cooler summer out West. Finally a conversation that didn’t veer into Maddie’s personal life, of which her mother never seemed to approve.
“And what about your doctor? You haven’t said anything about Ben.”
Crap. Might as well get it over with. “Ah, we’re no longer together.”
“Good. I never liked him. Though I did get worried that he lasted longer than the others you’ve dated.”
Maddie hadn’t expected her mother to be pleased she’d once again broken up with someone. “What? Why?”
“He was too stifling.”
She thought her mother had liked Ben. A doctor with a decent background, and he’d always paid when they’d gone out. Maddie had never talked bad about him. So what wasn’t to like? “You never even met him.”
“I didn’t need to.” Her mother sniffed. “Everything you described about him sounded just like all the others you’ve dated. Dull. Not a challenge, and not what you need, honey.”
They’d had this conversation more times than Maddie liked to count. Maddie tried to change the subject. “You know, Mom, it’s surprising how nice it is today. The sun is shining, the birds are chirping. And for once, Starbucks isn’t overcrowded.”
“I know I made mistakes with you.” Her mother talked right over her. “I showed you how to be strong. You’re one of the hardest workers I know. But sometimes, in a relationship especially, you have to give and take. I never had that with your father because we were so damn young. I spent my youth trying to prove myself to my parents, who only ever saw what they wanted to see. But honey, I see your successes. I know you’re smart.”
Would she still think that if she knew Maddie had quit her job?
“When it comes to business, you have a terrific head on your shoulders. But your heart? Not so much. Don’t do what I did. Don’t bury yourself in work and forget about living. If you don’t trust, you won’t get hurt. But you won’t live either.” She could almost see her mother making that stern face and shaking a bony finger at her. “I know what Ben and those others gave you. Sex may be necessary at times, but it won’t fill your holidays and special moments with joy. It won’t hold your hand and walk with you to the movies. And it won’t make you less lonely either. You need to find a man who fulfills who you really are.”
God, not this again. She wanted to crawl under a rock when her mother mentioned s-e-x. Though they always spoke openly with one another, Maddie at times wished they had more secrets. “Okay, Mom. I’m hearing you.” Way too clearly.
As if her mother had conjured him with talk of sex and fulfillment, Maddie watched a way-too-familiar face round the corner onto Queen Anne. Dressed in jeans and a green T-shirt that clung to every ridge and divot of muscle, Flynn McCauley strutted down the sidewalk like he owned it. He nodded to several people along the way, the hottie obviously a mainstay in the Queen Anne district. Drawing closer, he approached the coffee shop as if pulled by invisible strings.
Despite trying not to look directly at him, she knew the second he saw her because his
Her mother laughed. “I love that girl. So creative. And how is your cousin, anyway? Still trying to boss everyone around?”
“When isn’t she? She’s Aunt Loretta’s daughter, go figure.”
“Poor kid.”
Maddie snorted, thinking the same. She made small talk with her mother, wanting to but not quite having the courage to mention her new venture as an entrepreneur. She wanted to prove to herself she could succeed before telling her mother.
For a few minutes, they discussed the diner, her mother’s new neighbor, and life on the East Coast versus Maddie’s cooler summer out West. Finally a conversation that didn’t veer into Maddie’s personal life, of which her mother never seemed to approve.
“And what about your doctor? You haven’t said anything about Ben.”
Crap. Might as well get it over with. “Ah, we’re no longer together.”
“Good. I never liked him. Though I did get worried that he lasted longer than the others you’ve dated.”
Maddie hadn’t expected her mother to be pleased she’d once again broken up with someone. “What? Why?”
“He was too stifling.”
She thought her mother had liked Ben. A doctor with a decent background, and he’d always paid when they’d gone out. Maddie had never talked bad about him. So what wasn’t to like? “You never even met him.”
“I didn’t need to.” Her mother sniffed. “Everything you described about him sounded just like all the others you’ve dated. Dull. Not a challenge, and not what you need, honey.”
They’d had this conversation more times than Maddie liked to count. Maddie tried to change the subject. “You know, Mom, it’s surprising how nice it is today. The sun is shining, the birds are chirping. And for once, Starbucks isn’t overcrowded.”
“I know I made mistakes with you.” Her mother talked right over her. “I showed you how to be strong. You’re one of the hardest workers I know. But sometimes, in a relationship especially, you have to give and take. I never had that with your father because we were so damn young. I spent my youth trying to prove myself to my parents, who only ever saw what they wanted to see. But honey, I see your successes. I know you’re smart.”
Would she still think that if she knew Maddie had quit her job?
“When it comes to business, you have a terrific head on your shoulders. But your heart? Not so much. Don’t do what I did. Don’t bury yourself in work and forget about living. If you don’t trust, you won’t get hurt. But you won’t live either.” She could almost see her mother making that stern face and shaking a bony finger at her. “I know what Ben and those others gave you. Sex may be necessary at times, but it won’t fill your holidays and special moments with joy. It won’t hold your hand and walk with you to the movies. And it won’t make you less lonely either. You need to find a man who fulfills who you really are.”
God, not this again. She wanted to crawl under a rock when her mother mentioned s-e-x. Though they always spoke openly with one another, Maddie at times wished they had more secrets. “Okay, Mom. I’m hearing you.” Way too clearly.
As if her mother had conjured him with talk of sex and fulfillment, Maddie watched a way-too-familiar face round the corner onto Queen Anne. Dressed in jeans and a green T-shirt that clung to every ridge and divot of muscle, Flynn McCauley strutted down the sidewalk like he owned it. He nodded to several people along the way, the hottie obviously a mainstay in the Queen Anne district. Drawing closer, he approached the coffee shop as if pulled by invisible strings.
Despite trying not to look directly at him, she knew the second he saw her because his
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