said. “Can you be quiet for a few minutes?” I asked. His mom chuckled and kept turning the pages. When we got to his time in high school, his handsome features really came in. He lost all his baby fat and was nothing but hardness. Slight facial hair was on his face. He wasn’t as tall as he is now, but he was still gigantic. Then she turned the page to his military days. There were pictures of him in his uniform when he was sworn in, and other times when he was visiting. I’d never been a fan of the uniform but Ash looked really hot in it. “So handsome,” his mom said. “Strong man.” I leaned toward him and lowered my voice. “You really fill out that uniform…” That stupid grin stretched across his face. “Maybe I’ll put it on for you when we get back.” That’d be nice. His mom finally put the album away. “We have such a handsome boy. We’re very lucky.” She patted his shoulder affectionately. “Thanks, Mom.” He sipped his wine and kept his arm around me. “Alessandra and I were talking about me going back to school.” We were? His mom sat back down again. “Really?” She couldn’t hide the happy surprise in her eyes. “Alessandra says I’m really good with sketching, so she thinks I should pursue a degree in art history, maybe become a professor or something.” I couldn’t picture Ash ever doing that. “That sounds like a great idea,” his dad said. “An admirable goal.” Why couldn’t they just accept him for exactly who he was? “You’re really rubbing off on him,” his mom said. “But in a good way.” “She’s pretty amazing,” Ash said. “I’m lucky she puts up with me.” Sitting there and lying to his family felt so deceitful. Ash shouldn’t have to pretend to be someone else. It simply wasn’t fair. “Let’s move into the living room for coffee and dessert,” his mother said. “Great idea.” His dad rose from the table. I turned to Ash and gave him an accusatory look. He knew what it meant. “I just have to get through this. Then I can tell them where to go.” *** Ash walked me to my door. “Thanks for putting up with my family tonight.” “They really aren’t that bad. It’s obvious how much they love you.” “They love me so much that they want to change me?” “I admit that isn’t fair…but they mean well. At least, they think they do.” “Whatever.” He leaned against the door panel with his hands in his pockets. “So…you like a man in uniform, huh?” “Well, you looked really hot in it.” “I look hot in everything—and nothing.” He gave me that smartass wink. “You’d be the perfect man if you were a little more humble.” “I don’t want to be perfect,” he said. “Then I’d never be able to shake the stalkers.” “There you go again…” I got my keys out of my clutch. “You didn’t lose them this time?” he teased. “I wouldn’t want to be stuck with you for the night.” “Sure…” He wiggled his eyebrows. I got the door unlocked then walked inside. Uninvited, Ash entered behind me. “So, what do you want to do?” “I want you to go home,” I said. “Our date is over.” He eyed his watch. “It’s not midnight yet. I still get two hours of your time.” Damn, I forgot. “Want to watch TV?” “Sure.” He moved to the couch then plopped down. “This is pretty comfy.” “Thanks.” I sat beside him and grabbed the remote. “Where’d you get it?” “Macy’s.” “I’ll keep that in mind when I decorate my house.” “What house?” I asked. “The house in the mountains. You know, the one I told you about.” “Oh yeah.” “I think we’re making progress with my parents. They should give me the money soon.” “What if they want you to get married first?” “Uh…I sincerely hope not. That’s a little ridiculous.” “I wouldn’t put it past them.” “What would we do if that situation came up?” “I can pose as your