When Mervyn found out they had indeed not canceled their weekend plans, he was furious. He tried to change Jack’s mind, but failed.

“Mervyn, I am not changing my mind. We’ll be fine there. The cabin is secluded. Becky still wants to go, so we’re going. Stop calling me and just do your job.” He punched the end button on his phone.

A dislike for Mervyn was starting to build.

Both Jack and Becky acquiesced and made a handful of slight changes to their plans.

Mervyn and Mona would concoct a distraction for the media, so that Rebecca, Cass, and the kids could leave for Lake Tahoe. They’d meet nearby and drive up together. If all went according to plan—and if everyone privy to the goings-on kept their mouths shut—the vacation would go off without a hitch.

His mother invited him to dinner one night, because his father was back in the city after some time at their cabin. He accepted and turned up with shrimp canapés and a mid-shelf bottle of Syrah. Once they settled around the table, he cringed when he discovered that his own family was obsessed with Rebecca Finlay’s mystery man.

“People magazine thinks it’s Paul Weaver, ‘since the two were seen together at the notoriously exclusive Boathouse restaurant,’” April read out loud from her phone in an amused voice.

His mom squealed at the mention of the Boathouse.

“The whole world, including you two”—he jutted his chin out at April and his mother—“needs to take a chill pill.”

His mother acted like she hadn’t heard him. “You should thank her for coming to the Boathouse that night. Such publicity!”

“Maybe you should,” he countered. “I’m sure you have her on speed dial by now.”

“I want to meet this Rebecca woman,” his father stated.

“Dad, you are the only sane person in this family. Please, don’t get sucked into the Rebecca Finlay frenzy.”

“Jack, she is such a darling. We’re just curious, is all.”

The man in the photo is me, Mother, he wanted to say, but he just met her animated gaze with a resigned expression.

“What?” she asked.

“Absolutely nothing. I think it’s stupid when people make a fuss over celebrities’ lives.”

“Well, I think it’s newsworthy that she finally has someone again.”

“She’s a human being,” he ground out through clenched teeth.

He was a tad disgusted that they were so obsessed. If he thought it would help, he’d unmask himself as the mystery man, but it wouldn’t. His mother would just reel in his two other sisters, Deborah and Maddison, and April would gloat to all her friends. The rest of his family would follow suit. Which would screw with his plans to stay out of the limelight, to say the least.

“Why do you care, Jack?” April asked. “It’s not like the Boathouse is getting burned. Your phone must be ringing off the hook.”

“I wouldn’t know. I delegate the bookings.”

April rolled her eyes. “My point exactly. Shut up and thank Rebecca Finlay for gracing the Boathouse with her presence.”

“I like that Paul man,” April added. “He’s quite handsome.”

His sister’s taste in men had one thing going for it, it was consistent. Consistently bad. “Yeah? Try serving him. He is a grade-A asshole.”

“He can’t be that horrible.”

“He is. I feel sorry for her if it’s him.”

April was unconvinced. “The press think it’s him.”

“The press is wrong a lot.”

“Oh? And you’ve dealt with them enough times to make you some kind of expert?”

“No.” A laugh escaped him. “Obviously not. But you can’t believe everything you read, April. For all we know, the man in the photo is, I dunno, her brother.”

“No woman kisses her brother like that.”

He was annoyed, but tried to keep his expression to nothing but arrogant boredom. “Can we talk about something other than Rebecca Finlay’s life, please?”

“Oh, you like her, too. Admit it.” His mother, as predicted, didn’t miss a thing. “I saw how you flirted with her at the book signing.”

“Mom, the woman has two teenagers, for goodness’ sake.” He felt bad just saying it out loud, but he needed to change the subject before he let something slip.

“There’s nothing wrong with that, Jack.”

“I only went because you forced me.” This lie popped out in self-defense, though he winced the minute it left his mouth.

“I didn’t force you,” she said primly. “I asked nicely.”

Across the table, his father, who had been watching the repartee as if it were a tennis match, laughed. “Face it, son. Your mother is intense when it comes to certain subjects. Rebecca Finlay tops that list.”

“So I see.”

They finally changed the subject and Jack sighed in relief.

Until he realized that the new topic put him firmly in the spotlight.

“So, when are we going to meet the new girl in your life?” His mother wiggled her eyebrows in an altogether uncharacteristic gesture.

“Fucking never.” He popped a bite of steak into his mouth.

She smacked his arm. “Not at the table! Watch your language.”

“I’m a grown man, Mother.”

“Still. We give thanks around this table. Mind your manners and show some respect.”

“Sorry. But that doesn’t change my answer.”

“Oh, c’mon.”

“I’m sorry, none of you are ready to meet any woman in my life.”

“I know MJ.”

“Only because she’s like my sister.”

April almost choked on her food. “She’s far from your sister. Everyone at this table knows that.”

“April!” his mother scolded.

Jack shrugged. “MJ is on the same level as the rest of you, case closed. I won’t bring by semi-normal women.”

His mother looked pensive. “So, she isn’t that special.” This was delivered as a declarative sentence, but he knew it was a question.

“Oh, no…she is.” He couldn’t help himself once he got started with taunting them. “Maybe I’ll invite you to our wedding.”

“Jack Priestley, I demand to meet this girl.”

“She’s no girl. She’s all woman.”

“Mmm, she has her claws deep into you, that’s for sure,” April noted. “Mentioning marriage, even in jest, is a step in a new direction for you, Jack. Just make sure she isn’t a gold digger.”

Jack roared with laughter. “She couldn’t be farther from a gold digger.”

“We’ll only know that for sure once we meet,” his mother said smoothly, eyes bright. “Bring her over. We aren’t that bad.”

“Oh, but you are. Besides, my time with her is limited. I’m not going to share her with The Croods.”

His father laughed.

“We are not The Croods.” She turned to her husband and implored, “John, darling, say something.”

“But I agree with Jack, my love.”

She slapped him playfully. “Fine. If that’s how it’s going to be. I will meet her, even if it means I have to stalk you.”

“Mom,” Jack cried in exasperation. His mother would have a joy-induced heart attack if she realized he was dating Rebecca.

She laughed. “All right, I won’t. But I must meet her, Jack.”

“If we reach the six-month mark, you will, okay? Maybe you will be presentable by then.”

His father chuckled.

The weekend grew nearer and nearer. His flight to Reno departed Thursday.

From there, he’d rent an SUV and pick Rebecca and the twins up at their hotel.

They had an elaborate plan to get them into the SUV. All these diversions just to spend a weekend with her.

Luckily, nobody knew about her travel arrangements yet. Her team was exceptional at arranging everything, about dropping false leads, and keeping real details under wraps.

Would all future travel arrangements be like this?

He hadn’t told anyone where he was going, just that he was going away for the weekend, and had even managed to evade all the curious questioning sent his way.

The six-hour flight was a tense one, but he relaxed once the plane landed. From there, he drove to the cabin, and after ensuring the cupboards were fully stocked and no one was lurking about, he collapsed on the bed.

He worried about Zach and Chloë’s privacy if anyone spotted Rebecca. She would never forgive him if the next big gossip news piece contained their photos.

Waking early on Friday morning, he took a jog around the property, and after a lengthy shower, scarfed down some breakfast. Just as he finished cleaning up, his phone rang.

Mervyn.

“We are at the hotel. So far so good. Minimal press. She’ll be ready in three hours. Be at the drop-off zone, Jack. Don’t be late. We’ll divert anyone who tries to sniff her out her with a decoy.”

“Did you have any problems getting there?”

“No, clear so far, but they can lurk around every corner.”

“You want them to lurk, Mervyn.”

“You know I don’t. I’ve cared for her longer than you have, Jack.”

The line went dead.

Jack had a feeling Mervyn was waiting for him to fuck up, just so he could rub it in Rebecca’s face. He pushed the thought away. In no way could he afford to let Mervyn mess with his head three short hours before meeting Rebecca’s kids. He’d also be meeting her assistant, Cass, who apparently went wherever the kids went.

He figured if Cass liked him—of course, he’d only met her in the virtual sense, but she seemed nice—he was set for life, since Becky spent more time with her than with Mona or Mervyn. And they’d all be a part of his life if their relationship progressed. Fancy Pants, too.

Jack was half-convinced he was possessed. He didn’t even know Rebecca all that well, yet he was thinking about a lifelong relationship with her. But that’s what he wanted.

Once he arrived at the hotel, he waited patiently in the car, until his phone buzzed with a text saying they were on the move.

He saw Cass, her mane of curly red hair unmistakable even after just a couple of Skype calls.

The two backpack-burdened people hurrying along behind her had to be Zach and Chloë. They didn’t seem happy to be carrying their own luggage. Jack laughed. They were probably spoiled brats who were waited on hand and foot at home, even more so because of Becky’s misplaced guilt.

He switched on the hazards as they approached the SUV.

Becky would follow them in a minute. They had separated to ensure that Cass and the kids would be safe inside if anyone recognized her and made a fuss.

His instructions were not to get out, so he pulled the lever to open the rear door, allowing them access to the big open compartment behind the backseat where they could toss in their belongings.

“Sorry about all this,” Zach said, slinging his backpack inside with an extra helping of melodrama; there was no way it weighed as much as he was making it seem.

Cass hissed, “What did I tell you, young man?”

“Not a word.”

“Exactly. Now keep your mouth shut until we are in the vehicle.” Once the bags were in the rear cargo space and arranged to her liking, she slammed the hatchback door closed.

Jack smiled. Zach hauled himself into the backseat behind Jack and scooted across the leather seat, allowing Chloë and Cass to slide in after him.

Cass shut the door, after which Jack hit locking system.

“Finally.” Cass reached out and Jack shook her hand awkwardly from the front seat.

“Can we talk now?” Zach asked peevishly.

Cass glared at him. “Yes.”

“Hey, nice to finally meet you.” Zach reached out a hand, and Jack shifted in his seat to shake it.

“My pleasure. Hi, Chloë.”

“Hi, liar,” she replied, without looking up from her tablet.

Jack snaked his arm over and slapped the tablet from underneath. It popped out of her hand and landed unharmed in her lap.

“Ugh, you are so immature.”

Zach laughed.

Jack made a show of batting his eyelashes. “Nothing wrong with a little fun.”

“Maybe that stick will find its way out of your ass this weekend,” Cass added, making everyone laugh.

“You are all so hilarious,” Chloë said, rolling her eyes. “When is the drama queen coming?”

“She’s not a drama queen,” Cass chastised. “Stop being rude. We need to drive through the drop-off zone when Mervyn calls.”

“In the meantime,” Jack put in, “what do you want to do this weekend?”

“We’re going to a cabin in the middle of nowhere. Is there even Wi-Fi?” Chloë asked.

“Is there…what now?” Jack asked.

“Just my fudging luck.”

“Chloë,” Cass scolded.

“What? I said fudging.”

Cass’ phone rang. “Go.”

“Does anyone know she’s here?”

“Local newspapers sort of, but no, the idiots followed our diversion when we left.”

“There was nobody there,” Zach sneered.

“Because of the diversion, Zach. You both got a taste of the madhouse the last few days. Don’t pretend it was nothing.”

“Dude,” Zach said to Jack, “just get it over with and pose for the cameras so our lives can go back to normal.”

“Sorry about that.”

“Why do we have to suffer so you guys can keep your secret?” Chloë complained.

“Someone got up on the wrong side of bed,” Jack remarked.

“Whatever.”

Jack turned the hazards on, unlocked the doors, and idled the SUV directly in front of the entrance.

A woman with dark hair opened the passenger door and jumped in.

“Go,” she said.

“Who are you?” Jack queried.

“Very funny. Drive before someone recognizes me.”

He chuckled and sped away.

During their ‘getaway’, Jack kept checking his rearview mirror, proud of himself. His idea was working beautifully.

“Sorry to have doubted you, Jack,” he said to himself in a cheery and somewhat high-pitched voice. “Your plan worked out great.” Dropping a couple of octaves, he replied with, “You’re welcome, buttercup. Glad I could help.”

Becky stared at him, her expression dispassionate.

“Oh, you are such a genius, Jack.” He mimicked Rebecca’s voice.

The occupants in the backseat cracked up.

“Less is sometimes better,” Becky interrupted.

“Duh, Becks. Aren’t you gonna give me a proper hello?”

“Not with my kids in the car. Drive. Keep your eyes on the road.”

He chuckled, but did as he was told. “Did an angry bird swim in mini-Rebecca’s cereal this morning?” He jerked his chin in Chloë’s direction. “I detect some hostile vibes emanating from her.”

“Ha-ha,” Chloë laughed mockingly. “You’re a riot, Frank.”

Jack snorted with laughter.

“We had some words. She’s missing a sleepover this weekend.”

“Sleepover?” Jack looked at Chloë in his mirror. “Is that what you call it these days?”

She stared at his reflection.

“Booyah!” Zach yelled.

“Shut up.” She hit him.

“No fighting,” Cass said firmly. “You’re like two-year-olds.”

“He acts like one.”

Becky offered him a weary smile. “Welcome to my life.”

He grabbed her hand and kissed her knuckles.

“Get a rooooom,” the twins complained in unison.

Jack laughed. “Oh, man, this is not even close to—”

Becky sucker punched him in the stomach.

“Ouch! I was only joking.”

Chloë made a face. “Ewww, my mom is, like, ancient.”

“You’d better hope you look half as good as she does when you reach her age.”

“Can you two please knock it off?” Becky interjected. “I’m sitting right here.”

“Whatever.”

“Chloë, are you going to be like this the entire weekend?” Becky asked.

“Let her,” Jack said. “She’s upset. She needs to get all that frustration out.”

“You will change your tune by tomorrow morning, mister,” Becky warned.

In the rearview mirror, he watched Chloë put on earbuds to listen to her music. Out of all the weekends of the year, she had to choose this one to be upset.

At least Zach was excited and kidding around with Jack.

Their laughter finally coaxed Chloë to put her earbuds away and join the conversation, albeit with a surly edge.

Becky blew him a kiss. Thank you, she mouthed.

He winked as he took the exit ramp onto the country road toward the cabin.