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I lean back.

“I’m not doing this tonight.”

“Okay,” she says.

“And before you say it, I know the boys would never need anything from him.”

“That is not why I bring it up,” she says.

I give her a look. She sees it.

“All right,” she says. “I’ll leave it alone.”

“Thank you.”

She turns her head.

“Wells, your mom’s on the phone.”

A few seconds later, he appears beside her.

“Hey, Mom.”

My entire mood shifts.

“Hi, baby.”

“You look tired, Mom.”

“Apparently everybody agrees.”

He smiles.

“How’s London?”

“Busy.”

“Did you see anything cool?”

“A few things.”

“Like what?”

“I’ll show you pictures later.”

He nods.

I hate the next part.

“I have to tell you something.”

His expression changes.

“What?”

“I’m going to be here longer than I thought.”

“How much longer?”