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“You’re shaking.”

Kenzie takes in a deep breath. “Casualty of being an ex-athlete. Being late usually meant–”

“Punishment,” we both say together.

“What was your least favorite punishment?”

She lets out a deep laugh. “Lines. I still have nightmares about the red line every once in a while.”

“You played hockey?”

Another laugh and a nod. “Why do you think I like hockey so much? I played in college.”

I can’t believe I didn’t pick up that information sooner. “I should’ve known that.”

“Well, you’re still playing and you earn money from it. Some of us mere mortals have to resort to the rec league and do other things to live.” She leans over and gives me a quick nudge with her elbow, probably the first time she’s initiated contact with me since we’ve hung out/interviewed for her position.

“I can only imagine how hard it is. I heard you work for a guy who stores his clothes in boxes in the kitchen.”

She feigns exasperation but then bursts out laughing once she looks back at me. “I still can’t believe you did that. Did you ever change the load of clothes to the dryer?”

I give her a frown. “Maybe. I threw a bunch of clothes in together and didn’t see my red shirt in the pile. I only have pink socks now.” I lift up my pant leg to show her.

“That is the best thing I’ve seen today. Too bad you’re not wearing shorts so you could show those bad boys off.”

I nod, trying to keep a straight face but crack when I say, “I’ll take that under advisement.”

Her phone rings and she glances around surveying the room before she picks it up and walks out the door. “Hey Mom,” is all I hear before the door closes.

She’s mentioned her father a lot, but I haven’t heard anything about her mom. Instead, I get a text from my own.

Mom:I saw Sandra Taylor at the store. Her daughter is still waiting for you to give her a call back after your date a few months ago.

Me:Mom, I told you to let me be. If I wanted to go out with what’s-her-face, I would’ve called already.

Mom:Gotcha. Well, I’m going to the store later. Do you need me to pick up some food?

And now I’m embarrassed. I’ve been working so hard to figure things out on my own and act grown up. As easy as it would be to have my mom go grocery shopping for me, there are some things I need to learn as an adult man with an overprotective mother.

Me:I’m planning to go on the way home.

Mom:Where are you now?

I let the screen turn black and put the phone back into my pocket. Answering Mom is going to have to wait until I can come up with a concise statement as to what I’m doing.

It’s been a while and the first group of daters hasn’t finished in the computer room. We’re going to be here forever.

Kenzie comes back when the second group rotates in to take their test. “What did I miss?”

“Not a whole lot yet,” I say, still irritated that my mom is prying into my love life even after I asked her not to.

Meg waves us over and shows us several spots where we have to sign. Kenzie takes a pen and starts scribbling her signature across the pages like she’s used to signing autographs for people. I’m wondering if I need to wait and have Miles or Dave look at the contract.

“I already sent them to your agent, Trey,” Meg says, with a grin. “He made a few marks on what needed to change, so we’ll be good to go.” She points out a couple minor differences from the regular contract and I breathe a sigh of relief.

“Who knew there was this much paperwork to sign?” Kenzie says, rubbing around her wrist.

“That’s why I’m all for the digital signing. Then I don’t have to have the paper copy sitting around.”