As I was scrubbing dishes in the kitchen, Mariah stood right next to me, still grilling me. “So, which one <b>of </b>those guys is actually your boyfriend? Don’t mess this up, okay? I know all three are great, but let’s be honest -you’re not exactly in their league, not when ites to ability or family background.”


    I let out a halfugh, half–groan. “Mom, aren’t I supposed to be the best daughter in the world to you? Why do you always have to roast me like this?”


    Mariah just crossed her arms, totally serious. “I’m just telling it like it is.”


    I shot her a look, protesting, “There’s no scorecard for love, you know. Plenty of regr girls end up marrying presidents. So what’s so impossible about


    impossible about my situation?”


    Mariah cracked up, giving me a yful smack on the back just like when I was a kid. “Nice try, but don’t dodge the question. Spill it.”


    “Mom, rtionships are just… you know, I’m just going with the flow, taking it day by day. Who knows how things will turn out?” I kept dodging her questions.


    “What about Ryan? He’s from Beijing, right? Already a star in the Foreign Ministry at such a young age–his family must be full of high achievers, and they’ve pinned all their hopes on him. Vic, don’t try to aim too high with him. Honestly, I think Nathan’s a better bet. His mom remarried and moved to Shariport, so if you end up with him, you’d be thedy of the house, no drama, noplications.” Mariah started listing her son–in-w requirements again.


    I let out a wry smile. “Mom, I already broke up with him. He really is a good guy, but… there’s a lot of businessplications mixed in. It’s way messier than you think.”


    Mariah really couldn’t imagine how I got myself tangled up with these three guys, and honestly, I wasn’t about toy it all out for her–she’d totally freak.


    “Well then, maybe you should think about Jared. I’ve always liked him. He even admitted at dinner that he messed up, and said he’s working on changing…” Mariah suggested.


    “Mom, you actually buy that?” I gave a quiet, snarky little scoff.


    “When you’re dating, go for someone you like. But when ites to marriage, find someone who’s a good fit. Don’t overthink it or get stuck on the details,” Mariah said, giving me her seasoned advice.


    “Nope, I’m stubborn. I overthink everything and I don’t let things go,” I shot back defiantly.


    “You…” Mariah looked ready to explode, realizing she just couldn’t get through to me.


    “Mom, why don’t you go take care of Dad? Make sure he sleeps in the bedroom, not on the couch. I’ll handle the cleaning up,” I said, eager to dodge any more of her questions as I ushered her out of the kitchen.


    Tonight was honestly a mess. Nathan was busy talking to my dad about his job and family, Jared kept saying he’d change and put the kids first, and Ryan just quietly sat next to me, piling food onto my te and telling


    me to eat up.


    <b>10:49 </b><b>Fri</b><b>, </b><b>Sep </b><b>5 </b>


    I still have no clue how this dinner lineup even came together, but I swear, next time I’m putting a stop <b>to </b><b>it</b>. I really don’t need Mariah thinking I’m some kind of yer.


    The next morning, I was up before Mariah, whipping up a big breakfast spread.


    After a good night’s sleep, my dad was back to his usual self.


    At the breakfast table, Mariah grumbled, “Why’d you get up so carly? You could’ve let Yvonne sleep in a bit longer. I could’ve made breakfast.”


    I justughed. “Mom, I invited you here to rx, not to cook.”


    Yvonne was sitting nearby, listening in, blinking her eyes as she took it all in.


    I’m not really teaching her anymore–just leading by example. Whatever she picks up, that’s up to her.


    Mariah’s face broke into a relieved smile. “You’re such a good daughter. If you could just settle your big life decisions soon, your dad and I would finally be able to rx.”


    My dad looked at me seriously. “Vic, honestly, I thought all three of those guysst night were great<i>. </i>But what about you?”


    My spoon nearly slipped from my hand as I blurted out, “Dad, Ryan’s my boyfriend.”


    “Yeah, that kid’s going ces. Just look at him–he’s got the kind of face that would’ve made him <i>a </i>prince or <i>a </i>lord back in the day,” my dad boasted shamelessly.


    Mariah gave him a yful shove. “Come on, don’t say that. Ryan’s just too young for Vic, he’s not the right match.”


    Yvonne rested her chin in her hand, gazing at me. “Mom, when I grow up, will I be like you?”


    I turned to her. “Like me in what way?”


    Yvonne squinted her eyes with a cheeky grin. “If I’m as pretty as you, I’ll never have to worry about finding <i>a </i>boyfriend.”


    AD


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