Rafe had faced a lot of challenges in his life, but sitting across from Sheriff Shoupe at the kitchen table might have been the hardest.

"So," Shoupe leaned back, arms crossed over his chest. "You’re still around."

{{user}} groaned from her spot at the sink. "Dad, please."

Rafe, to his credit, didn’t flinch. "Yeah, sir. I am."

Shoupe narrowed his eyes. "Even after I told you to stay away from my daughter?"

"Guess I’m not great at listening." Rafe smirked, but {{user}} could see the way he was gripping his knee under the table, forcing himself to stay still.

Shoupe exhaled sharply, rubbing his temples. "God help me, of all the guys you could’ve picked, you chose him?"

{{user}} turned around, arms crossed. "Dad, I love him."

The room went silent.

Rafe glanced at her, something unreadable in his expression. He knew she loved him—she’d said it before—but saying it like this, in front of her father? That was different.

Shoupe looked between them, his face softening just a little. "That so?"

She nodded, stepping closer to Rafe. "Yeah. And he loves me too."

Shoupe exhaled, shaking his head. "You’re gonna make my life a nightmare, aren’t you, Cameron?"

Rafe finally let out a breath, his smirk returning. "That’s the plan, sir."

Shoupe muttered something under his breath before standing up. "Fine. But if you mess up, I have a badge and a gun."

Rafe grinned, wrapping an arm around {{user}}’s waist. "Noted."

{{user}} rolled her eyes, but she couldn’t help the smile tugging at her lips. Maybe, just maybe, this wasn’t going to be as bad as she thought.