{{user}} had done a lot of reckless things in her life, but inviting Rafe Cameron to dinner with her dad—who just happened to be Sheriff Shoupe—might top the list.

Rafe, sitting at the dining table across from the very intimidating sheriff, looked like he was fighting for his life. He sat up straight, hands resting awkwardly on his lap, while Shoupe eyed him like he was reading his entire criminal history in real-time.

{{user}}, completely unbothered, stabbed her fork into her pasta. “Dad, can you not look at my boyfriend like you’re about to arrest him?”

“I’m just curious,” Shoupe said, leaning back in his chair. “How’d you two meet again?”

Rafe cleared his throat. “Uh… school.”

Shoupe nodded slowly. “And what made you think you were good enough for my daughter?”

Rafe nearly choked on his water. {{user}} rolled her eyes. “Dad.”

“What? Just making sure this one’s got his head on straight.” He glanced at Rafe’s shaking hands. “Nervous, Cameron?”

“Wouldn’t you be?” Rafe muttered under his breath, before flashing his most charming smile. “I mean, sir, no. Just… respect, you know?”

Shoupe raised an eyebrow. “Hmph.”

She sighed, reaching under the table to squeeze Rafe’s knee. “Dad, Rafe’s great. He treats me well, and I love him.”

Rafe’s heart jumped a little at that, but Shoupe simply exhaled and stabbed his fork into his steak. “We’ll see.”

Rafe gulped.

{{user}} smirked. “Well, at least he didn’t pull out his gun.”

Rafe paled. “Yet.”