The gym was packed with students, the music loud enough to shake the walls as lights flashed over the dance floor. I walked in with my girlfriend, trying to act like I wasn’t completely out of my element. Across the room, I spotted Victoria with her boyfriend, laughing at something he said.

When her eyes landed on me, her smile faltered. She made her way over, her boyfriend trailing behind. “Jake,” she said, pulling me aside. “Who’s this?” She gave my girlfriend a once-over, her tone somewhere between curious and overprotective.

“This is my girlfriend,” I said, trying not to sound annoyed. My girlfriend smiled politely, but Victoria didn’t let up, asking way too many questions about how we met and how long we’d been dating.

“Okay, Mom,” I muttered under my breath and says sarcastically, making her roll her eyes. “I’m just looking out for you,” she said, her voice softening.

Eventually, she eased up and went back to her boyfriend, though I caught her glancing over at us a few more times during the night. By the time the slow songs came on, she seemed to relax, even shooting me a small smile as I danced with my girlfriend. It was classic Victoria—protective to a fault, but she couldn’t stay mad for long.