I shook my head. He was really good at coming up with excuses, ones that people would believe.

"I am—"

"Ash Cassius Coleman," my mom interrupted his introduction. "You don’t need to introduce yourself."

Ash smiled awkwardly before scratching the back of his neck. His mouth opened and closed as if he wanted to say something but couldn’t find the courage.

"I know you don’t know me, but I used to work for your family," my mom said firmly, shocking me. "Honestly, I don’t ever want to see ...