It’s always been your favorite, because it never gets old. Besides, you’re still fighting the butterflies Bravos gave you just by sending a text. In a way, you’ve always held your romances up to theirs. For the first time, it feels like you have something that can stand its ground, because for once you’re actually in love with someone who feels worthy.

Father laughs. “Well, I was in my room, going through my morning routine.”

“Late for class,” Mother corrects. “He was in a dorm that should have been empty. I volunteered that year to help with the gardens around the property. One of them was just outside the men’s dormitory. Some of the windows…looked into the baths.”

You love how Mother always blushes at this part and how loud Father always laughs.

“A fact that’s always made me curious,” he says.

Mother raises a single, perfect eyebrow. “It helped clarify the claims of hopeful suitors.”

You groan at that confession. “Mother.”

She laughs, which makes you laugh. You don’t ask what needed clarification.

“So there I was,” Father says. “Wearing only my long underwear and my riding cap. Shirtless and shaving in front of a mirror. I’d gone to the sink nearest the window, because it was just so stuffy that day. I opened it a tick and started. Wanted to look fresh for class.”

“To make up for how late you were?” Mother asks.

“Exactly,” he replies. “And then I heard this noise. I swear, the blade almost slipped across my neck and ended me, then and there. I turned, though, and there was this beautiful woman at the window. It was so unexpected. I couldn’t think of anything to say. So instead, I turned to her, tipped my cap in that old-fashioned way, and went back to shaving.

“And though this next part is unproven, I believe your mother stood there and stared a little longer, because she liked what she was seeing. Certainly, accounts of the event differ.”

Mother shakes her head. “I ran, Marcos. You know I ran.”

“But you couldn’t run forever,” he adds, smiling. “When I submitted my name for the Races, she was the clerk working the Empire Board’s front office. I handed her my papers and when I realized who she was, I just sort of went speechless in front of her.”

“You should have seen his reaction.” Mother laughs. “It was adorable.”

“I asked her on a date. You know what she said, Pippa?”

Of course you know, because this is your favorite story.

“She said she didn’t date riders.”