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“Back here.” Dad points to the office/stockroom. “Now.” He calls for Curtis in the back room to watch the register.

Nathan and I share a horror-struck look before following him. My thoughts swirl a thousand miles a minute trying to decide what we’re going to tell him. Technically, I don’t think I’ve broken any rules from my grounding. My parents only said I needed an after-school job, not that I couldn’t make friends or date someone at said job.

Not that Nathan and I are actually dating.

Dad gestures to a few folding chairs. “Sit down.”

We both sit and put our hands in our laps.

He paces in front of us. “I have to say, I already had my suspicions as soon as you all started playing D&D together. In my experience, that game brings people together like nothing else. And then I saw whatever was going on between you two at school today, and now—” He shakes his head. “Iwish you would’ve told me rather than having me learn this way.”

“Dad—”

He holds up a hand. “This job is supposed to be a punishment, Riley. And this is a workplace. It’s not exactly appropriate to have employees dating each other.”

My eyes flick over to Nathan, but he’s staring down at his hands.

“ButI can’t deny how happy I am at the idea of you two being together. I can’t think of a better couple.”

The words jolt me, and in my peripheral vision Nathan sits up straighter. Dad rests his hands on his round stomach with such a joyous expression I can barely comprehend it.

“Riley, it’s always been one of my greatest dreams that you would come around to gaming. And now, to see you making friends and playing here…”

Oh my God, his eyes are actually shining with tears. Is he about tocrybecause I’m hanging out with Nathan?

“And, Nathan…,” Dad continues.

Nathan freezes.

“I’ve watched you grow up at the store these last few years, and I know I can trust you with anything. Including my daughter’s life.”

“Dad, no!”

He chuckles and puts up a hand again to stop me. He’s clearly enjoying messing with us, but I’m so overwhelmed with stress that my body is tying itself in knots. I have no idea how Nathan is holding it together. I’m surprised he’s still upright in his chair, but he’s likely in too much shock to respond yet.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry!” Dad continues. “I know I’m not about to walk you down the aisle or anything—I’m just excited! Though I’m not sure your mother will feel the same, Riley. I’ll see if I can bring her around.”

“Oh my God,” I whisper, and cover my face with my hands. I peek through them at Nathan. He’s so pale you’d think he just donated enough blood to take care of all of Ohio. “Dad, please, you’ve got to calm down. It’sreallynot like that. Nathan and I are only friends.”

Dad holds up his hands in surrender. “Okay, fine, whatever you kids are calling it these days.” He winks like we’re all in on a big joke. “All right, I guess I’ve tortured you enough. Get back out there. Just be professional around the customers.” He waves us toward the door.

Gingerly, I stand. I’m so rattled I can barely walk. We both go back to the checkout counter in silence. I’m relieved that he didn’t just chew us out, but I feel weirdly…guiltyabout the whole exchange. It’s no secret that Dad likes Nathan a lot, and now Nathan and I feel like one more piece of my life that makes Dad proud while also being a huge lie.

“What…just…happened?” Nathan whispers after a moment.

I shake my head.

“Your dad was about two seconds away from securing a church for our wedding.”

We stare at each other with a dumbfounded look, and then a manic laugh bubbles up in me. “No, no, a church would be too conventional. He’ll want the wedding here. And we’ll have the reception in the back room.”

“Ha, good point.” Nathan’s shoulders relax slightly fromtheir position up by his ears. “Soda and chips as appetizers. And we can push the game tables out of the way for dancing.” He grins and the sight makes me laugh again.

“Ooh, we’re dancing? I didn’t think you’d be up for it. Which song should we choose for our first dance?”

He doesn’t even hesitate. “Anything by Weird Al, of course.”

“Obviously. Oh, and a Pop-Tart cake!” I clap with excitement. “We can stack them in a pyramid like people do with playing cards.”