“Well, it’s not a one-night stand anymore, so it’s a relationship of some kind.” She twisted so she could look up at him. “Where do you see this going?”

He stared out over the porch rail. The sun was setting behind them, sending a looming shadow down the hill toward town.

“I don’t have any experience at building a relationship that lasts more than a few nights.” He looked down at her. “I like having you and Hudson here. It makes me feel good. Makes me feel like I want it to keep going. Can’t we do that—just...keep it going?”

She looked over to Hudson again. “If it was you and me, sure. Taking things a day at a time would work. But it’s not just the two of us. He already adores you.”

“And that’s a problem?” There was a defensive edge to his voice.

“Only if he thinks we’re becoming an insta-family. You and I agreed to have fun while it lasts, but he’ll be hurt if...” She hated to think about it. “If things change. Right now we’re here in our little bubble, but that can’t last. People are going to know, and some will have opinions.”

Her mother would definitely have a few to share. But there was nothing left for her to take from Andrea, other than a mother’s love, which had never really been part of their relationship anyway. She realized Zayne had gone very quiet.

“Hey, are you okay?”

“I’ve never been a fan of other people’s opinions.”

She cupped his cheek with her hand. “I know. You’ve heard more than your share of them through the years. But we don’t have to listen...”

“Then why bring it up?” A tiny muscle pulsed in his cheek.

“I honestly was thinking of myself. My mother. Other people who think they have the right to judge my choices with Hudson or anything else.” She gave a little shrug. “You’re not the only one who gets judged in this town.”

“You think people won’t want you with a Rutledge.” He stated it as a fact, not a question, and she bristled.

“Oh, please. You’re not a Rutledge. You’re the man I care about. The man my son cares about. The man who makes me very happy.” He was the man she was falling for...like, head-over-heels falling for. “I’m sorry I mentioned opinions. I’m trying very hard to not be my mother, but I stumble once in a while.”

“She doesn’t know about us?”

“No one knows about us yet.”

He frowned. “Are you ashamed—”