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“So your father is playing matchmaker over there,” she replies dryly. “It figures that I’d agree to have you work there so he can keep an eye on you and instead he tries setting you up with an employee.”

I hesitate. I don’t want to explain why Dad thinks we’re dating, but I also don’t want to throw Dad under the bus and pretend like this situation is all in his head. I’ll admit that in the past, if Mom made an annoyed or passive-aggressive comment about Dad, then I was always quick to agree with her…but that doesn’t feel right anymore. And I certainly can’t blame Dad for his assumptions given how Nathan and I are acting around each other.

“In Dad’s defense, Nathan is a pretty great guy. I can see why he’d be happy if I was dating him.”

She sniffs.

“What if we give it a trial run tonight? I could ask Nathan to drive me home and we’ll see how it goes? If you still feel comfortable after tonight, we could talk about him driving me here after school too.” I try not to sound desperate or overly excited about the idea. If she knows how much I want to ride with Nathan, then she definitely won’t agree. Of course, assuming Nathan agrees to this at all.

“Can I trust him? Teenage boys are notoriously bad drivers.”

“He’s very responsible.” Although he does somehow get to the store before Dad and me every day, which probably involves some level of speeding. But he gets here in one piece.

Voices shout in the background on her end. “I need to go.” She sighs. “All right, you can ride with Nathan tonight if your dad thinks it’s okay. I don’t love it, but youhavedone a good job at the store so far. Maybe it’s time to start giving you more flexibility.”

“Yeah? Great!”

“Butbe safe.And make sure you’re home no later than nine-thirty.”

“Okay. Thanks, Mom! See you tonight!”

I end the call. My pulse quickens at the idea of spending more time with Nathan, but then I remember that Sophia is still chatting with him. I press my lips together. I don’t know if he’ll be up for this if it means leaving her.

Although, on the other hand, Iamsupposed to be flirting with him and I’ve done a horrible job of it today. This might be the perfect way to show her I’m still in the picture.

I take a deep breath and walk back to Nathan. “Hey.”

Both Sophia and Nathan stop talking and turn to me. Sophia looks none too pleased that I’m interrupting, but I can’t read Nathan’s expression.

“Sorry, that was my mom. She can’t drive me home today and she mentioned that maybe you could drive me. If that’s all right?”

He blinks. He’s probably trying to figure out if this is real or another weird way to flirt with him.

“I guess Dad mentioned something to her,” I add. I give him a meaningful look to hopefully get across the idea about what Dad told Mom.

Nathan’s eyes widen. Still, he hesitates, and I don’t want to admit that it hurts. I’ve got to do a better job of reminding myself why we’re doing this to begin with. I agreed to flirt with Nathan to help him get Sophia,notme.

I shake my head. “Actually, never mi—”

“I can do it,” he interrupts. He turns to Sophia. “Sorry, maybe we can get ice cream next time?”

Her eyes narrow slightly but she smiles. “Of course. Can’t wait.”

She walks off without a backward glance. After she’s gone, Nathan looks at me with a cynical expression. “Well, that certainly got her attention.”

“I’m sorry if I ruined something there—this isn’t part of the flirting. Mom can’t come tonight and I convinced her it would be okay for you to drop me off. Unless it’s too much? I’m sure Dad can do it.”

“Seriously? Of course I’ll drive you if you need a ride.”

“Awesome, thank you.”

We head to the back room to tell Dad. He’s talking with Lucas’s dad and a few of the older guys who come in after work. They all wave and say hello like I’m family.

Dad nods when we ask about driving together. “Sure. I’m glad your mom came around.”

I study him. He’s red in the face and his expression is pinched like he’s in pain. “Are you okay, Dad?”

He waves me off. “I’m fine. Just tried to pick up too many boxes at once, so I’m taking a break. I’m getting old.”