She gave me a blank look. “I had to keep your father distracted for about an hour. Not that I’m complaining.”

“Mom!” I couldn’t believe she just told me that.

“How did you think you and Joe got here?”

“Yeah, but I don’t want to hear about it.” The idea made me shiver. “Ugh!”

“And that’s how your father feels about someone being with you.”

“Oh.” I hadn’t considered that. It must be as gross for him as it had been for me listening to Joe was going through a what’s-her-name a week. “So does that mean I can stay with Sam?” I asked, still holding out hope.

“I’ll talk...