Mamie had already decided this meeting was a lost cause, but for her mom’s sake, she was determined to get through the meal with her dignity intact.
She didn’t bother responding to his earlier comment. “Did you already order?”
“Yeah, I figured out what you might like and ordered for you too.”
Mamie just stared at him in silence.
Arguing felt pointless. She glanced out the window, noticing how elegant the restaurant was. Honestly, it was the perfect place for a date or a blind date, if only the company was better.
“Mamie, my mom mentioned you almost got married before. Do you mind if I ask why you broke things off with your ex-fiancé?”
Mamie’s eyes cooled. “Lewis, that’s a pretty personal question, so I’m not answering.”
“Oh? So it didn’t end well, I guess. Was it because of your job? I’ve heard people say women in finance have a tough time finding someone.”
Mamie wondered if he was stuck in another century. “Lewis, are all PhDs as small-minded and judgmental as you? Working in finance doesn’t mean I’m petty or manipulative. It’s about being precise, objective, and good with numbers.”
Lewis clearly hadn’t expected her to snap back like that. He stiffened, looking annoyed. “Mamie, you’re being a bit too sensitive.”
He tried to brush it off. “Anyway, to be honest, I have high standards for my wife. I want her to make me her priority. My work keeps me busy, so I need someone who can adjust her life around my schedule. Think you can do that?”
Mamie smiled, but her words were sharp. “Absolutely not. I have my own career, and I definitely don’t want a husband as self-centered as you.”
“You!” Lewis finally lost his cool. “Mamie, I only agreed to this out of respect for your mom. With your situation, you wouldn’t even make it through my first round of picks. Plus, you’ve already had one failed relationship. You’re twenty-eight. Getting married at all might be a problem for you, so I’d suggest not being so picky.”
Mamie was about to fire back when a shadow fell over their table.
“Mamie, is this a friend of yours?”
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