Page 89 of Sweetheart

"I know it's hard, Kent. But try your best to resist."

"You are so full of yourself," I said which caused him to smile.

"I amtheSam Bishop," he replied.

Leaning forward, he lowered his voice and spoke directly into my ear, making me shiver.

"I'll meet you tonight for our first pretend date."

"Okay," I murmured, "but…"

He stood back up, so he could see my face.

"My dad wants to meet you," I said, trying not to wince. "He's going to give you the talkwhich I've heard is terror-induing, and I apologize in advance."

"No problem," he said. "It's been a while, but I've met your dad before.He liked me."

"Yeah, but you weren't my boyfriend then."

"I'm sure it'll be fine."

#

It wasn't fine.

It so wasn't.

When I got home and told Dad I had a friend coming over, he didn't bat an eye."Okay, I'll make extra spaghetti," he'd said.Then I mentioned—quickly and quietly—that the person was my boyfriend, and suddenly, my father was wide awake.He had an unending stream of questions.Understandable. I'd expected nothing less, since this was the first time I'dever used the b-word.

But finally he asked the question, the one I'd been avoiding all along.

"Does he have a name?" he asked.

"What?"

"Either you're so excited for us to meet that you forgot his name, or you're intentionally trying to avoid telling me.Both are a bit concerning."

"He could also be imaginary," I said.

Dad squinted at me. "Is he?"

"No."

"That leaves forgetfulness or avoidance.So, which is it, Scarlett?"

"Neither," I said. "I just wasn't sure you'd want to know."

"The name of my daughter's boyfriend?" he said with a laugh. "Yeah, I think I want to know."

"Oh, okay then."

"That will make it so much easier to run the background check."

"Dad."

He nodded for me to continue.

Deep breath, Scarlett.

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