I don’t know whether I’m more relieved or more disappointed that Jason’s parents never showed to Aly’s party. I was nervous, of course, but there was a growing part of me that was just ready to get it over with. I’m going to have to meet them eventually, and maybe once I do, I’ll feel more inclined to go with him to his family dinners. He doesn’t talk much about them, but every time they’re even mentioned, I can tell it’s something that is really hard for him. I suspect that a lot of that has to do with having to go there alone, when all his parents want is for him to be mated. But if I’m being totally honest with myself, the biggest reason why I wanted to meet his parents is to show them I exist so that maybe they’ll back off about trying to fix him up with other people. Though I can’t

