Page 133 of Protecting Love

The old him would have done that.

The new him said he had to trust his son’s judgment.

“It’s fine,” he said. “As long as I have the address and names of this kid and his parents, you can go.”

“Really?” Ian asked. “Just like that?”

“You’re going to be seventeen in a few months. You’ve got a good head on your shoulders.” Ian beamed. “Is this a co-ed party?”

Now his son flushed. That was answer enough, but Ian said, “Yes. But they aren’t staying the night.”

“Got it,” he said.

“So,” Ian said. “That hot blonde that was talking with you.”

He kept his expression neutral. “What about her?”

“That’s who you’ve been spending time with, right? You’ve said it’s work and she’s in the building, so that is work, right?”

He didn’t want his son to think he’d been lying. “Her name is Paris Westerly.”

“Paris?”

“Yes. She’s West’s cousin. She and her twin, London, own Westerly Consultants.”

“Paris and London?” Ian asked. His kid would find humor in this.

“There are a lot of kids in her family and all have city names.”

“And you know this because you’re dating? You can tell me. You can be honest.”

“I’m not lying. I’ve been spending time with her for work. She’s needed some extra... protection for something, but that’s over with.”

“Oh,” Ian said, his smile dropping. “I just thought maybe you were doing something else.”

“Would you be upset if I was?”

“No. I know you’re old.”

“I’m not old,” he said firmer than he wanted.

Ian grinned. “Older than her I’m sure. But even if it’s not her, anyone. Like you should.”

“I am,” he said, letting the truth out. Because he really couldn’t hide it anymore.

It wasn’t right to even consider it.

He and Paris had just talked about secrets. They’d just talked about letting it be known.

That meant the most important person in his life had to be privy to the fact that he was dating someone.

“You’re what? Dating her or someone else?”

“I’m dating Paris.”

“Why didn’t you introduce us?” Ian asked.

“I was going to before you called out her scent.”