Dating and Dragons (Dungeons and Drama, #2) (84)
Thank you to the many amazing fellow writers in my life! Debbi Michiko Florence, thank you for the daily encouragement and commiserating—you help keep me sane through the ups and downs! Thank you, Kathryn Powers, Annette Hashitate, Diane Mungovan, and Becky Gehrisch for being incredible friends and writing pals. Huge thanks as well to Keely Parrack, Brieanna Wilkoff, Laurence King, Debbie Rigaud, Carrie Allen, and Sabrina Lotfi for everything.
Another huge thank-you goes to all my family for supporting me through the years, especially Mom and Dad; my mother-in-law, Gail; and aunts Linda, Mary, Marsha, and Lisa. My grandmothers are no longer with us, but I am certain they would be absolutely delighted to know that I’ve become a published author. Although Quinn’s grandmother is very different from my own grandmothers (who never played pickleball or got into car accidents!), the bond between these characters was inspired by my own bond with both of my grandmothers. I love you, Grandma Pachuta and Grandma Bryan.
I’m also so grateful to have many wonderful friends, including Beth, David, Anna, Kristin, Kristy, Courtney, Melissa, and Rosalee. A very special shout-out to Maggie Stevenson and Emmett Williams for being the best friends (and past D&D players) a person could ask for.
Liam, I love you very much. Thank you for being my travel, reading, and sushi buddy. Mike, my life is infinitely better because you’re in it. I write romance because of you.
Roll the dice on love….
Turn the Page for a Sneak Peek
Chapter One
Of all the punishments my parents could have chosen, I can’t believe they went with this one.
“Riley,” Mom says from the driver’s seat of our SUV, “I don’t want to see you sulking today. You brought this on yourself, and part of the agreement is that you’re going to have a good attitude.”
I sink farther into my seat, the memory of myself and my best friend, Hoshiko, in these very seats still strong in my mind. Only a few days ago we were blasting the original Broadway cast recording of Waitress, laughing and debating whether the actors would come out for autographs after the show. And now…
“Are you sure we can’t rethink this, Mom?”
“No.” She glances at me and back at the road. “I still don’t think you’re understanding what a dangerous decision you made Friday night. How are your father and I supposed to trust you at home alone after this?”
Okay, it wasn’t the best decision to take Mom’s car without her permission while she was out of town on business. And yes, I drove multiple hours on the highway at night to get to Columbus, with Hoshiko…and without a driver’s license. But we didn’t get pulled over or get in an accident! In fact, you could argue that I should’ve driven faster because then I would’ve beaten Mom home and I wouldn’t be getting this lecture right now. I don’t think I’m going to use that argument on her any time soon, though.
“But working at Dad’s store?” I whisper.
She presses her lips together like she wants to sympathize but is fighting it. “Your father suggested you spend the afternoons with him since I’m too busy at work to be home after school with you. It’s not my fault he’s so attached to this store of his.”
The tinge of bitterness when she mentions Dad’s store only adds to my frustration. Mom has never liked the store. It was one of the main reasons for their divorce, and I’ve always been firmly on Mom’s side about the whole thing. It never even occurred to me that she’d agree to have me work there as a punishment. I really figured Mom would understand about my love for musical theater outweighing my logical decision-making (and state driving laws). Where Sara Bareilles is concerned, there is no line I’m unwilling to cross.
I’m about to argue more when she pulls into the parking lot. We both sit for a second, taking in the store. It’s not a particularly pleasant sight, despite the blue skies and sunny September weather. His store is in a run-down shopping plaza in Scottsville, my rural Ohio hometown, which has more than its fair share of run-down plazas. Quite a few of the other storefronts here are empty, though there is a local pizza place next door, and some of the letters have fallen off the signage. It’s not inspiring me to be in a better mood.
“Your father’s waiting,” she says.
I haven’t been in this parking lot since we drove by five years ago when Dad first scouted the location and they were still married. A dark, sinking feeling falls over me as my feet hit the concrete.
“Shannon.” Dad nods to her as she steps onto the sidewalk.
She nods back, though she keeps more of a distance than is strictly necessary. “Hey, Joel.”
They couldn’t be more different. Mom is as stylish as ever, with her blond hair pulled back in a low bun, wearing a blouse, wide-legged trousers, and heels that are too high for most people to pull off. Dad, on the other hand, has on ill-fitting jeans and a T-shirt with Deadpool riding a unicorn. I have no idea what brought them together to begin with, but it certainly wasn’t a similarity in looks—or interests either.
“And how’s my pumpkin?” Dad asks, his big smile reserved for me.
Hesitantly, I walk over and give him a hug. “Hey, Dad.”
“Ready for your first day as the newest employee at Sword and Board Games?”