Page 34 of 27 Kisses

She takes a sip of her coffee and studies me. Shit.

“I have a few last-minute things to take care of,” I say as I stand. “Business?—”

“Sit, Garrett.”

And I do. Which is probably for the best. There’s no way to stop her once she gets something in her head. I might as well get it over with. I gulp down half my vitamin water and prepare for what’s to come. She gives me a disapproving look. Is that for downing my drink? Or my life in general?

“You’re not getting any younger, dear.”

Fuck. It’s this conversation. “That’s generally how it works.”

“Don’t be snide.” She turns so we’re facing each other. Or we would be if I weren’t staring straight ahead. “Garrett, look at me.”

“Yes, Mother.” I obey her command. Barely. Why do I feel like I’m thirteen and in trouble because Jane got into Mother’s makeup? Jane was only two at the time and my responsibility.

And where the hell did my father go?

“You’re almost forty, dear,” she says, patting my hand. “It’s time for you to settle down.”

I grit my teeth. For fuck’s sake. “I’m settled. I moved back to Mule Creek. I started a business.”And it’s fairly successful. Thank you for asking.But my snark would only prolong this torture.

“What about a family?”

What would she do if I told her the truth? That I desperately want a family with Aidyn and Lanie. Except they’re already my family. But I want more. Would it shock her to know I’m in love with my brother-in-law?

But I know the answer. It would be scandalous.

I have no idea what to say. Why wasn’t I more prepared for this conversation?

“This isn’t New York, but there are plenty of single women in Mule Creek.”

I stare at her. Never mind the whole coming out at seventeen thing that happened. Did she forget the conversation we just had last week? How many times do I need to come out to one person? “Mother, I’m gay.”

Her brows inch up her face. “Still?”

My mouth drops open, but God, I don’t have any words. So I repeat hers back. “Still?” I shift on the couch so I’m facing her. And giving her exactly what she wants. “Being gay isn’t something that goes away. You can’t choose to be straight one week and gay the next.” I end my rant with a frustrated sound in the back of my throat.

“Don’t be ridiculous, Garrett,” she says in a snippy voice. I’m being ridiculous? “I’m aware that you can’t change”—she gestures toward me—“that. But since you’re bisexual—that’s a thing, right?—and going on forty?—”

“I’m thirty-eight, Mother.”

She sniffs. “Don’t interrupt. It’s rude.”

So is everything she just said to me. But again, I don’t say that. This conversation needs to be over. It needed to be over five minutes ago.

“You’ve had your fun. Now it’s time to find a nice, respectable woman and start a family.”

I shake my head, and once I start, I’m unable to stop. “No.”

“No?”

I stand, my hands clenched by my side. “I’m not bisexual, Mother. I’m gay. If and when I’m ready to start a family, it will be with a man.” She scoffs, but I ignore it. “And I’m done with this conversation.”

She rises slowly from the couch. “There is no need for that tone, Garrett Bishop. I’m only trying to help. And do what’s best for my family.”

When have you done what is best for this family? Was there ever a time? I stuff the words down, but instead of staying put, they spread like a virus, eating away at my self-control.

Impudent. That’s how I feel. And it doesn’t matter that I was featured in Forbes. Or that I turned a rundown farm into a successful business.