Page 24 of The First Play

“Oh shit,” I squeak, lurching out of the hug.

“Stop.” Mom gives me a firm look, but her eyes are beaming as she cups my face again. “You have absolutely nothing to be nervous about. You are a catch, Sienna Beth Erling. Any guy is lucky to go out with you… and don’t you forget it.”

“Thanks, Mom.” I smile back at her, nerves fluttering through me as Dad answers the door with his usual boom.

“Mr. Quarterback!” He stretches his arms wide as if he’s going to hug poor Zander, and I can see the look of panic crossing my date’s face.

“Uh, Dad.” I move toward them, trying for an interception. If I can just get between them…

“Hello, sir.”

“Psssh.” Dad swipes his hand through the air. “Call me Al, remember?”

Mom starts humming the tune for “Call Me Al,” and I can feel the heat creeping into my cheeks. It’s rude to tell your parents to shut up, right?

“Zander.” Mom prances forward like an excited pony. Did she just skip up to Zander Donohue?

He’s going to think we’re the weirdest familyever.

“Hello, Mrs. Erling.”

“Please, call me Bethany… or Beth. I’ll answer to both.” She tucks her hair behind her ear, letting out this girlish giggle like she’s trying to be fourteen again.

“Mom,” I softly plead, grabbing the handbag she’s lending me for the night and checking that my wallet and phone are in there. I know Zander invited me out, but I don’t want to assume he’ll pay for everything. It’s such a long date, I’m gonna have to insist that he at least let me pay for dessert or something.

Not that he eats any sugar, according to Olivia.

Oh crap, is he going to buy dessert for just me and then sit there watching me eat it?

That would be so embarrassing and?—

“Don’t spiral,” Dad whispers in my ear before kissing my cheek and giving me a sideways hug.

Meanwhile, Mom is still flirting up a storm with my date.

I move in beside her, giving him an apologetic wince.

His lips curl into the lopsided grin I love so much, and my insides flutter.

“You look amazing,” he tells me when Mom finally gives him a second to speak.

Holy shit, he actually means that.

I bite my bottom lip, unable to contain my smile.

Mom swoons, then starts kissing my cheek. “She always looks amazing.”

“Mom.” I lightly elbow her in an attempt to get her off me.

She gives me one more loud kiss on the cheek, then giggles again.

Oh my gosh, what is up with her?

I send a silent SOS to my date, and he steps forward, clearing his throat and looking between the world’s most embarrassing human beings. “I won’t keep her out too late.”

“Oh, that’s okay.” Mom brushes her hand through the air. “Sienna can just text us updates if plans change for you guys. Whatever time is fine.”

“YOLO!” Dad raises his hands in the air. “Have the best night, you two!”

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