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“Jesus, Dad, you need to tell her the truth. Things always come out in the end.”

“He should know,” I say with a grin, then shrink back when Allen turns his eyes on me like he’s just noticed I’m in the room.

Jackson smiles my way though, that reassuring smile that says he’s here and he’ll protect me from anything. And besides, it seems like Allen is more worried about the business deal going south than he is about the two of us getting a little closer while they were away.

That’s a win, right?

“Everything okay in here?” Jackson says, looking from Mom to me, then back again. “Jennifer, are we still good?”

She narrows her eyes. “Okay, two things, Jackson. First of all, I’m still your mom. I loved it when you started calling me that,and I hope that isn’t going to change. I love you and in my eyes you’ve been my son since I first met you. We’re notstill good, that’s for acquaintances. We’re family.And second, you need to promise me you’re going to take things slowly with your… Well, withmy…and your father’s…” She blushes. “What I’m trying to say is, I don’t want you rushing Mina into anything she isn’t comfortable with.”

He looks at me. “You haven’t told her, have you?”

“I was just getting to it,” I say, glancing at Mom. “I was trying to tell you when they came in. It’s probably easier…”

I bring my hand out from behind my back, where I’ve managed to keep it hidden this whole time, and with a flourish, I flash the massive diamond that’s been on my finger ever since Jackson put it there on a rooftop in New York three weeks ago.

When Mom doesn’t say anything, I grin sheepishly. “Surprise…”

“That’s not all, is it?” Jackson sounds stern. “You want me to tell them?”

I shake my head. This is best coming from me. I draw a deep breath, hold it for just a second, then rip the band aid off. “You want Granny and Grandad at the wedding, don’t you, little one?” I ask, rubbing a hand over my belly and glancing down.

Jackson chuckles. Allen starts to say something, then stops. Then tries again but gets as far as “Well…” before he shuts down.

“So much for taking things slowly,” Mom says with a sigh, but before I can come back with any sort of comment, she’s already pulled me in for a hug, holding me tight like she’s never going to let me go.

“Well, that could have been worse,” I say to Jackson as we retreat. Mom and Allen need time to process, I get that. We’re going toget someburrrrrr-itos.Turns out, I actually do like them even when I’m Mina.

He nods as he pulls the door closed behind us. “I’m proud of you, baby. That took courage.”

“Channelling my inner Tina,” I say. “What’s going to happen about Dad’s business problems?”

“Do you mean, how is he going to solve them, or how is he going to survive Mom’s wrath when he finishes telling her all about it?”

I think for a moment. “The first one. I think Mom’s too shell shocked to make much of a fuss.”

“That’s true. Well, Harson has said he’ll scupper my chances with any other team, and God knows he has the contacts to do it. But I don’t think it will do as much damage as he thinks. I’m a good player, I know that and they all know that. Someone will sign me, a little cheaper than I would have been but I’ll get there. I’ll do what I can to help Dad out with his business, but he might have to face facts…”

He trails off, staring behind me, and when I turn I have to blink twice to check I really am seeing what I think I’m seeing.

A silver Bentley convertible.

Cindy’ssilver Bentley convertible.

On the wrong side of the lake. Coming down our drive.

What the fudge?

“What’s she doing here?” I ask, and he squeezes my arm.

“Don’t worry, baby, I’ll handle her. If she’s come here to gloat…”

Cindy skids to a halt beside Jackson’s Mustang, and sticks her hand up out of her roof, waving it our way. “Hey, you two!”

She sounds…friendly?

Like, genuinely friendly. Not sarcastic. Like we’re old pals or something.