I stood quietly as my mother’s eyes darted between John and me, searching for an explanation. Her brows knitted in concern.

“Nothing’s wrong,” John said easily, his tone too controlled to be casual. “I was giving her some fatherly advice about her chosen. Zayne.”

My mother relaxed a little, though her eyes didn’t lose that suspiciousness. “Want to see me, darling?” John asked and walked up to her, placing a tender kiss on her jaw. “You look so beautiful this morning.”

My ...