And then she does such a turn-around that it makes my head spin. “You know what? Fuck them. Let them say their worst. We’re your family even if some narrow-minded arseholes get all pissy about it.”

I’m not sure what else to say. “I love you.”

“I love you, too. And I know we’ve still got to work everything out, but nothing is going to stop us all from being together. One way or another.”

“You’re so hot when you’re angry.”

“I’m hormonal because it’s that time of the month, and I’m in bed with a hot water bottle. But still, fuck them.”

I grin. “You’re the best. I’m not sure what my parents are going to say. I haven’t told them about us yet. Or Amelia. I wanted to be us for a while before I did that.”

“Well, if they’re not happy with me or your daughter or both of us, fuck them, too.”

All I can do is laugh. “What would make you feel better?”

“A large block of chocolate and no arseholes putting my daughter in the media.”

“I can help with one of those. Trying to stop the other.”

She lets out another loud sigh. “You can only do your best.”

“That’s what I’m trying to do. I’ll go order a shipment of chocolate for you and call my mother.”

“Let me know how it goes. Love you.”

“Love you, too.”

* * *

After sending the biggest bouquet of red roses with a gift basket full of chocolate, I dial my mother. I try not to call her constantly with updates. And with so many things changing in my life, there are a few I need to catch her up on.

“Hello?”

“Hi, Mom.”

“Joshua. It’s so good to hear from you.” There’s a touch of sarcasm in her voice, and I know it’s because I haven’t been in touch as regularly as she’d like.

“Sorry I haven’t called. I’ve got something I need to tell you about. I wanted to tell you this in person when I got back to the States, but the media have hold of it, and I don’t want you to find out via the tabloids.”

She laughs softly. “Is this about the girl you’re seeing? She looks lovely.”

I close my eyes. “Do you remember right before I got my first big film that there was a girl I was really interested in?”

“The one who disappeared?”

“Yeah.”

She huffs. “I do. She nearly derailed the opportunity that launched your career with that little stunt.”

Shit. She’s right. I was a confused mess between getting what I always wanted, and losing the person I thought I’d share it with. I’d moped for weeks.

“Well, that’s Delaney. The woman I’m with now.”

“Oh, Josh.”