“Good.” I couldn’t say the same. My grandmother had been absolutely furious when I’d left California and moved to Boston. She didn’t speak to me for a year, and still resented that I hadn’t returned when she’d demanded it. “Having family support is very important.”
“What about your parents?”
“I believe that they would be proud of what I’m doing. They both died in a car accident when I was three. My grandmother raised me.”
I rarely discussed my family. So it was a bit surprising that I’d answered his question without even thinking about it.
“The two of you don’t get along.”
I jerked and raised one eyebrow at him. “What?”
“The moment you mentioned her, your whole body tensed up. It’s my job to read people and their reactions.” He leaned back against the couch and picked up his water. “You didn’t live up to her expectations?”
“She wanted a doll.” I sighed. “As I child and well into my teen years she picked out my clothes and basically ran my life from the moment I woke up to the moment I went to sleep. She would have structured my dreams if she could’ve. My mother hadn’t done what she’d wanted. She’d married the wrong man, had the wrong child, lived the wrong life, and died the wrong death. My grandmother was never abusive, but she cut herself off after the loss of my mother.”
“So, she had your life all planned out?”
“Oh, yes, even picked out a man.” I rolled my eyes. “If you could call him that. He was a mama’s boy through and through. He didn’t cross the room without asking his parents if it was okay. Have you ever met a grown man that allowed himself to be called ‘Scooter’?”
He laughed softly. “No, saw a few on TV.”
“Right.” I shook my head. “It’s disgusting, and I could just imagine what kind of life I’d have with him. She thought she could control me all of my life, but the day I turned twenty-one I inherited the money my parents had put in a trust for me.”
“And you came to Boston?”
“I finished my degree and yes, moved to Boston.” I put down the chopsticks and grabbed my water. “She was unhappy at first, now she’s just bitter. I guess she figured she could keep me under her thumb with her money. But, I want to think that even without my parents’ money I would have come here and started the career that I wanted.”
I’d been telling myself that for years and I still wasn’t even sure I bought it. It was certain that I resented her dominant presence in my life, but would I’ve come across the country to escape her without any money? Dwelling on it would only lead to a sleepless night, so I pushed it aside.
“And now?”
“We exchange cards on the holidays and talk once a month.”
“It’s a shame.”
“You’re close to your family?”
“Yeah, we’re a big rowdy bunch but it’s fun. The holidays are always loud.”
It sounded almost foreign. In my grandmother’s house, I hadn’t even been allowed to speak at a function without being addressed. She was of that school of thought that children should be seen but never heard. Honestly, I’m surprised I came out of it at least halfway normal.
“So you’ve broken up?”
The casual tone of the question caught me off guard and I paused to consider my words. “We want different things. I want to make a life, have children, and grow old with someone. He’s more interested in the world and exploring all it has to offer. I doubt he’ll stay in Boston another year. I thought in the beginning that I could make him want those things, with me. If he wants to marry one day and have children, it became very obvious that he didn’t consider me the one.” I shrugged and glanced around my apartment. “I guess eventually I might want a house outside the city, but maybe not. Nature is sort of overrated.”
He laughed and shook his head. “So, no walks in Boston Common for you?”
“Maybe when Harvey comes back from the vet.”
“I wondered where the little pug I saw earlier in the month went.” He inclined his head. “And his name is Harvey?
“Yeah.” I pursed my lips and then laughed. “When I first brought him home he slid around the floor a lot because it was so slick. He hit walls a lot.”
“Harvey Wallbanger.”
“Yeah.”
He chuckled. “Cute.”
I liked his face and his smile. It was way too soon to be thinking about another man in my life. I glanced around the table at our mess and then stood up. “Well, we made a mess.”
Shawn stood as well and helped me gather the boxes and plates. “I’m going to have a home security system put in tomorrow when the guys are here setting up the security door. Would you like one installed as well?”
“Yes, that would be great. Can you call me when they are here so I can come home?”
“Not a problem.”
I snagged my purse from the countertop and rummaged through it to find a card. I pulled out the little silver case and flipped it open. “This has my cell phone number on it in case I’m not at my desk.”
He tucked the card into his front pocket and nodded. “So why is Harvey at the vet?”
“I’m getting him fixed.”
Wincing, he shoved his hands into his pocket and sighed. “That’s horrible.”
I laughed. “Not really. It’s important to keep unwanted births down and he has gotten out a few times to try and visit the people across the street. Of course, they have a female Great Dane.”
“He’s ambitious.”
“Indeed.”
Shawn checked his watch and sighed. “I gotta run. I need to go in early in the morning so I can take the afternoon off.”
I followed him to the door, resisting the urge to find another conversation to have that would keep him with me. Foolish thoughts flitted around in my head. “Thank you for handling this security thing. I really appreciate it.”
“It’s no problem. I’d feel better about you being here alone once we have the security door set up.”
“I can take care of myself.”
“I’m sure.” He reached out and almost touched my face before he apparently thought better of it. “But why should you have to?”
Great question. I had no answer, so I smiled. “Next time you see your mom, you tell her she raised a nearly perfect man.”
“Nearly?” Shawn asked and tried to glare.
“Yeah, I’m pretty sure there is something wrong with you; I just haven’t figured it out yet.” I inclined my head and looked him over. There had to be something wrong with him.
“Let me know when you do.” He glanced toward the front door of the building and then focused on me. “Make sure to put your chain on.”
I nodded, but frowned. “We’ve never really had problems with crime in this neighborhood. I mean, some jerk tried to take your grandmother’s purse about two years ago, but she laid him out with her walker.”
His eyes widened. “You’re shittin’ me, right?”
“No.” I laughed. “It was a sight to behold. The guy was begging for the cops to take him away by the time they got over here. He tried to get in the cop car before he was even handcuffed