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imagine ever doing that if my dad were to get married again. Then again, I guess you don’t know until you’re there.
    “Ben Grayson,” his dad says. “And my wife Liz.”
    “Kori Walsh.” I shake his hand in an attempt to be polite. “It’s nice to meet you.”
    “Likewise,” Stepmom says, and I notice she’s all decked out in our school colors of green and black. “So how long—” she starts to ask, and I figure it’s the inevitable question of how long we’ve been dating. I even envision a matchmaker glint in her eyes, but she’s wearing sunglasses, so I can’t tell for sure. The question is cut off, though, when Landon shakes his head.
    I give him a grateful glance. He may have put me on the spot by summoning me to meet them, but he saved me a little there.
    “Kori and I have a class together,” he says, “and I’m trying to turn her into a baseball fan.”
    “I’ve been watching practices,” I explain. “This was my first game. I enjoyed it.” I’m not sure whether I say that more for Landon’s benefit or theirs. It’s true, though. The game was probably the most fun I’ve had in a while. Granted, that bar’s set pretty low, but still... I didn’t hate the afternoon.
    “Baseball is big in our family,” Landon’s dad says, and I nod.
    “Yeah, Landon’s told me. It’s cool that you come to his games.”
    “We wouldn’t miss them,” the stepmother says. “We’re about to take Landon out for dinner. Why don’t you join us?” she asks, and I envision the matchmaker glint again.
    “Are you sure?” I’m torn on how to respond. If I say ‘no,’ does that seem rude? But if I accept, am I making Landon uncomfortable? I look at him, silently asking for a little guidance.
    After a few seconds, he shrugs. “Yeah, come along, Kori,” he says. “If you don’t have other plans, that is.”
    He’s giving me an out, and I debate whether to take it, but the only ‘other plans’ I have would involve eating by myself in the dining hall followed by sitting by myself in my dorm room. It suddenly sounds depressing to me, and I find myself craving something a little more sociable and normal. “No other plans,” I say. “I’d be happy to join you. I do need to go back to the dorm first, though, so can I meet you at the restaurant?”
    I wonder if it’s obvious to Landon what I’m doing—giving myself an ‘out’ if things get uncomfortable. I’m not stuck waiting for anyone else. I can make my own exit and leave.
    “Sure thing,” is all he says. “We’ll meet you at the Lucky Dog.”

CHAPTER TEN
    ––––––––
    ~Kori~
    S ince I made the excuse about going back to my room first in order to be able to drive myself to the restaurant, I decide to take a few minutes and change clothes. I tell myself it’s stupid, that this isn’t a date. Even though Landon insists Amanda isn’t really his girlfriend, I’m sure she’s much more his type than I am.
    Nonetheless, I change out of my Plymouth State sweatshirt into a white button down shirt paired with a red sweater. I remember what Landon told me about looking pretty with my hair back, so I pull it back into a simple ponytail. I’m about ready to leave when I stop and do something I haven’t done in a long time. I put makeup on. Okay, it’s not much, just a little eye shadow and some lip gloss, but it’s more than I usually do.
    The Lucky Dog Tavern and Grill isn’t far from campus, and when I get there, I find that Landon’s already seated in one of the wooden booths with his family. “Hi. Sorry to keep you waiting,” I say, as I slide in next to him.
    “You changed,” he observes.
    I shrug. “Yeah. Just felt like it.” I don’t want him to know that I actually fussed over my appearance. “So did you.” He’s wearing dark blue jeans now, paired with a striped shirt that’s untucked and the sleeves rolled up.
    “I kind of had to,” he says with a grin. “Nobody would want to sit beside me in my