131

“Hey, Mom. I won’t be home tonight, and Arianna, of course. She’s with me,” I say on the phone, with Brandon watching me while standing by his bedroom window.

“Even without your sister, I know you’d be there,” she points, then puffs a sharp breath. “Darling, I know you like that man, but I’d like you to be extra careful.”

I look up at Brandon’s dead serious expression. “I understand where you’re coming from, but I’m okay. More than okay. Can you trust me?”

“I trust you, of course. I’m just being cautious,” she mumbles.

“Mom, he’s not the guy you should be concerned about,” Jason speaks from the other line. “You should be more concerned about me.” He chuckles pleasantly. “But seriously, give them a chance. Laynie knows more of what she’s doing than the rest of us. Plus, Brandon Lucien is super-rich.”

“Jason! You know I don’t care about any of those as long as she is happy!” Mom scolds.

“I am happy,” I declare without hesitation. “That’s all that matters, right?”

I see a little gleam in