“I’m telling you, if you’re going to get my son’s head out of his ass, you’re going to have to bring out the big guns,” Ida Sue says and I throw my head back against the seat of my car and close my eyes. She’s been calling me for days.

Days!

And that’s because Black hasn’t. I haven’t heard from Black in a week. I gave him a week and I’m tired of waiting. I don’t feel like I need to chase after Black. He’s made his decision. I know he had the night off. Petal and Luka both told me.

He lied.

I don’t have a lot of experience with men, but I know enough to know that if they lie to you to get out of a date, then you’re not wanted. Which is fine. It really is. It hurt like hell the last week, but I think I’m getting better. The last thing I want to do is listen to Ida Sue and Petal on how to make Black jealous.

“I love you, Ida Sue, I truly do. But, I’m not going to try and get Black’s attention and I’m definitely not going to try and make him jealous.”

“You’re not?” she asks, and her voice is strange, almost as if she’s studying me. It makes me uncomfortable for a minute before I shrug it off as my imagination.

“Absolutely not. Besides he’s the one that pushed me away, I doubt very seriously I could make him jealous.”

“I see…”

“What do you see?” I ask, just as I see the realtor pull up.

“You’re afraid. I can understand that, Orchid. I just thought you were made of stronger stuff.”

“Now you’re just being crazy! I’m not scared. I just refuse to throw myself at someone who doesn’t want me!”

“I see,” she says again and those two words are really beginning to piss me off.

“I don’t think you do and just so you know I don’t think your son deserves me. I’m a good person and a good woman! I don’t need someone to make me feel like I’m not worth his time!”

“You should tell him that,” she says helpfully, sounding cheerful.

“I might, but I doubt I will ever talk to him again. Now if you excuse me I need to go. The Realtor is standing out by the building waiting for me.”

“You found a place?”

“Yeah over on North Street.”

“Oh that’s—”

“Don’t bother telling me I shouldn’t live there. There’s not a lot of places in Mason, at least in my budget and I’ve heard it all from my own father. If I didn’t listen to him, I don’t see me listening to you.”

“I wasn’t going to say that dear.”

“You weren’t?” I asked and I’m surprised to say the least.

“No, of course not. Actually, I think it’s good you’re not willing to play games to get Black’s attention. To be honest I’m not sure you two are well matched,” she says and I should be glad she’s given up, but instead I feel sick to my stomach.

“You don’t?” I ask, and I really wish my voice would have come out stronger.

“No. You’re obviously two very different people. Anyway! Happy apartment looking. I hope you find one you love!”

“I really don’t care at this point. It will just be nice not to live in a hotel—especially since my dad has decided to build a new house.”

“I understand that! Well bye, Orchid! I have some things I need to do.”

Just like that she’s gone. I stare at my phone in shock. Ida Sue has been calling me every day for almost a week and not just once a day, but sometimes as many as three times a day. When she’s not calling, Petal or CC is. Heck even Luka and Gray called once. Then, almost as if by magic, Ida Sue just hangs up and gives up.

I don’t get it.

It doesn’t matter. She’s finally realized what I have come to realize this week. There is no possible relationship between me and Black. It’s time I move on.

And that starts with getting my own place.