I actually didn’t want to confirm it for her, feeling like she might figure out it was all some kind of scam and stop it before we even started.

“It is.”

“Interesting,” she deadpanned.

“And why is that interesting?” I refocused back on my computer, avoiding her gaze.

“Because I remember your last encounter with one another. It didn’t go well.” She laughed. My mom actually laughed.

I wondered how much of that interaction she’d truly seen that night.

“That’s in the past. It was all a misunderstanding,” I lied and hoped that she’d buy it.

“Mmhmm.”

“Mom, can we talk about this later? I’m really busy.”

“I’m just saying,” she started, “I remember seeing a flame very close to your nether regions that evening.”

“Mom!” I shouted, wanting this conversation to end.

“I’m only wondering why you didn’t mention her before now, is all. How long has this been going on?”

Exhaling a loud, annoyed breath, I looked at her once more before figuring out what to say that she’d believe. “It’s new.”

“And you’ve forgiven her for trying to light you on fire?” she pushed.

I grew more than a little anxious, thinking she had some sort of mom-like superpowers that she could wield at any moment and see through my bullshit.

“I told you,” I breathed out again, “it was a misunderstanding.”

She made a clicking sound with her tongue. “Don’t try to fool me, Joseph. If this thing between you two isn’t real, I’ll know,” she warned as she opened my door and stepped out of it just as Kayla threw herself in.

“Not you too,” I groaned, and Kayla shushed me.

“We need to make some kind of statement,” she said quietly, and I folded my hands on top of my desk and stared at her.

“What do you mean?”

“You two went public last night. You haven’t done that since college.” She gave me a pointed look.

I hadn’t needed the reminder. “I know that, Kayla.”

“She’s already getting harassed,” she breathed out.

I felt my back stiffen and my protective nature burn to life.

“Tell me everything,” I demanded.

“I don’t know much, but she said there were paparazzi outside of the hospital this morning when she went in. Her emails are filled with media requests, and they have been calling her work nonstop.”

I didn’t need to hear any more to know how bad this was. How annoyed Sutton would be that her personal life was interfering with her work. She’d filled me in on her job last night, her face lighting up whenever she talked about all the people she wanted to help. It gave her control in a world filled with chaos. I recognized her passion. And I respected it.

“She’s going to bail on me before we get started,” I said, suddenly concerned that I’d lose this woman before I even had her.

Wait. Lose her? She’s not mine, I reminded myself.

“That’s why I was thinking that we should make some kind of statement. We confirm the relationship but ask that the media please refrain from stalking your girlfriend at her place of employment,” Kayla suggested.