My Daughter’s Prom Date Was the Boy Every Girl Wanted – But When He Brought Her Home, He Said, ‘You Have 5 Minutes to Tell Her the Truth, or I Will’

He was pale.

Iris dropped her shoes by the stairs. “Ryan’s stepdad showed up at prom.”

My stomach tightened.

“Okay. And?”

“He surprised Ryan. He flew back early from work because he wanted to see him in his tux before the night ended. It was sweet at first. Ryan introduced me, and his stepdad froze. Like, completely froze. He kept asking my name. Then he asked about you. Well, about my parents.”

My fingers curled around the doorframe.

“What was his name?”

Iris frowned. “Tony.”

The room narrowed.

“Mom?” Iris said.

“Sorry. I swallowed wrong.”

“No, you didn’t,” Ryan said, looking at me.

Iris glanced between us. “Ryan, do you want water? You have barely spoken since we left.”