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That wave of pride he’d felt earlier now hit him so hard it knocked him on his metaphorical ass. Yeah, pride was the wrong thing to feel in this spot.

He still wasn’t good enough for Michelle’s kind. And now his mama knew it, too.

He’d gotten to spend all night and this morning with Michelle in his world. But somehow, everything had shifted, and the silent way his mother pointed out how different Michelle was from him had a bad feeling rising in his gut.

Michelle wasn’t so bad. Wasn’t like the other women he’d gotten involved with before. Part of him really thought she was different. Sure, she was high class and rich and a city girl, but that wasn’t all she was.

Or maybe he was making excuses to delude himself. Cruel as his mother was, it’s not like she was wrong. He’d tried mixing with girls from the other side of the tracks. It never worked out longer than a heated couple of days.

“It’s just coming off the one hinge down here is all,” he called to his mother. “I have a screwdriver in my truck, easy fix.”

“Thanks so much, son.” His mother returned her attention to Michelle. At least now he was close enough to hear it.

“So you’re new in town?” his mama asked her.

“Yes,” Michelle said. “I opened a boutique on Main Street a few months ago.”

“A boutique.” His mother repeated the word like it tasted sour. “Sounds fancy.”

Michelle’s shoulders slumped. What the hell? He hadn’t seen her this nervous before, even when she’d been facing a wilderness. She was the epitome of stubborn courage. But his mama was enough to send Michelle over the edge of insecurity. He hadn’t thought through what would happen here. And it was looking to bite him in the ass.

So much for getting in and out without a scratch.

“Well, I’m glad some people around here can afford to shop at the boutique,” his mother said. “And is that how you know Dex? Is he your handyman?”

Dex closed his eyes for a moment and worked on the door. He’d snapped at Michelle that very thing at her shop several days ago. He’d told her he wasn’t her handyman. Apparently he and his mama thought that was all he was good for.

He worked on the door faster. He needed to finish this up and leave. His mom loved him; he knew that. But she was a realist, and yeah, he knew a woman like Michelle and a guy like him looked ridiculous together. Especially after what his mother had gone through with his father. A wealthier man slumming it with a local only to knock her up and ditch her. That was his mama’s life. One she’d told him about over and over throughout his entire upbringing. His mother prided herself on being working class. Nothing wrong with that. But she had a judgment for those with white collars, and Michelle clearly wasn’t on her happy list.

But that wasn’t Michelle’s fault.

Didn’t mean his mother wasn’t justified in her thoughts, though. Dex knew better himself. How many times would he chase the same kind of skirt and expect different results before he got it? Before it really sank in that women like Michelle weren’t for him?

“No, Dex is not my handyman,” Michelle said sharply. Almost like she was defending him. “In fact, Dex and I are…”

His head snapped up, and he met Michelle’s eyes.

We’re what, princess?

He waited on whatever word she’d give. It was going to be a heavy word.

We’re friends? We’re more? We’re…together?

He was hoping for too much and he knew it, but his chest stilled with the waiting…

“We’re business acquaintances of sorts,” Michelle finally finished.

Dex’s ribs felt like they took a hit from a sledgehammer. Which was stupid, because Michelle wasn’t wrong.

“I see,” his mother said. “Well, I think it’s nice you’re acquaintances.”

His mother laughed in a fake way she reserved for situations she didn’t like. Dex just needed to get Michelle and himself out of there.

“All fixed,” he said. He started to head to the truck, but his mother stopped him.

“Why don’t I take your tools back to the truck?” Michelle offered quickly, and she grabbed the screwdriver from Dex’s hand. “So nice to meet you,” she said to his mama before all but bolting away.

“You too, dear.”