Aspen's mouth fell open in shock at his mother's statement, and he blurted out.

 “What?” 

 His mother laughed softly and stole a glance at her husband. 

 “You see? I told you that our boy had gone ahead and fallen in love. It's true.”

 “Hmm.” His father exhaled weakly and gave Aspen a scrutinizing look. One that made Aspen worried that perhaps his face was revealing too much. 

 How had they known about Dulce?

 Did someone tell them about her?

 Derek, perhaps?

 No, it couldn't have been Derek. His friend was many things, but being loose-lipped was not one of them, especially not around his parents. 

 If it was not Derek,...