“It’s not true, Mom,” Starling says, her voice imploring.

“Oh, sweetheart, you don’t need to pretend. I’ve met him now, he’s a lovely boy and his family was so kind and gracious to me last night. I don’t know why you thought you had to hide him from me, you know you can tell me anything.”

Starling tips her head back and groans. “It’s all bullshit, the first time I ever spoke to him was yesterday, I haven’t hidden anything from you, because there’s nothing to hide. He’s an asshole and he’s playing you; he’s playing everyone as part of some fucked-up, malicious game.”

“Baby,” I coo, stepping out of my spot outside the door and into Cassidy’s office, sliding my arm around Starling’s waist. “There’s no need to be embarrassed. I’m your boyfriend, your mom understands young love, and we agreed now summer’s over we need your mom to get to know me, so we can spend as much time together as we can now that we’re back at school.”

Starling’s mouth gapes open like a fish, but I don’t give her a second, pressing a kiss to her cheek as I stare lovingly at her for a moment, then look to her mom. “Cassidy, Starling has been so worried to tell you about us. I told her you wouldn’t be mad, I know I’m a little older than her, but I was raised to respect women and I promise I’ll only ever behave appropriately toward your daughter. I love her, she’s my world and I just want to be with her. Please give us your blessing, I know it would mean the world to Starling.”

Cassidy’s eyes soften and she smiles at us wistfully, like she’s remembering what it’s like to be young and in love. “Starling, baby, you should have just told me, I only ever want you to be happy and loved and I think it’s obvious to anyone who looks at the two of you together how much Sebastian loves you. You’re young, it’s the time to love big, so of course you have my blessing. Enjoy one another, just not too much, doors stay open, because I don’t want to be a nana until you’re at least thirty.”

“Mom,” Starling gasps. “How”

Before she can say anything, I interrupt. “Don’t worry, Cassidy, I promise to take the very best care of her. Thank you so much for being so wonderful about this. My parents are having a pool party this weekend, of course Starling will be coming, but we’d love for you to come too. Family is so important to my parents and they don’t just want to get to know Starling, they want you to feel comfortable with them too.”

“Oh that would be so lovely, your parents made me feel so welcome last night, I’d love to join you. Your mom and I exchanged cell numbers, so please have her call me with the details.”

“Perfect,” I smile. “We are going to order pizza for dinner, are you joining us? Is there anything specific you like?” I ask her, while Starling just gapes at me.