They sure are. Even though we’ve made out a few times now, somehow the mythical good-night kiss feels like a way bigger step, and I wouldn’t assume it was guaranteed, or even on her mind. But apparently … “Sorry, man,” I say to Malcolm. “I’m happy to be a weenie if that’s what it gets me.”

“Well, I don’t know if I wanna date a weenie.” Amber taps her cheek thoughtfully, and I stick out my tongue at her.

“You’re cruel, Loud McCloud.” Miguel ruffles her hair, and she laughs. “And for the record,” he says to Malcolm, “I will absolutely still kiss you goodnight.”

“Awww,” Malcolm and I chorus, while Amber pretends to vomit. If we were in another town, here’s where the boys would probably kiss, but they settle for a quick hand squeeze on the table that makes them both smile.

We stick around for a while, finishing our food and playing on the ancient arcade games, until finally Malcolm announces his curfew is approaching, and he and Miguel go return their shoes while I finish letting Amber beat me at air hockey just because she looks so cute when she does a victory dance after each goal.

We don’t leave until almost an hour after the boys do. There’s just too much to play with, too many ridiculous pictures to take, and no parents waiting for us at home—Amber’s mom is on the night shift, and my parents are on another date. They decided to end this one at the Atherton Inn for the night. When you only see each other once a week at best, I guess sharing a small one-bedroom with your daughter sleeping on the other side of the wall isn’t ideal.

I’m trying not to think about it.

“It’s nice to see kids back in here,” the big mustached guy behind the counter says as he takes our bowling shoes. I haven’t seen him before; a skinny redhead, no older than college-age, gave us our shoes earlier. But this guy is maybe fifty, a bunch of salt in the pepper of his hair, and has an air of “I was born in this alley and I will die here.” The manager, maybe, or the owner. “It’s been a few months since we had anyone from the high school.”

A few months? Amber seemed confident no one from Atherton ever came here. Judging from the look on her face, she’s just as surprised.

“Other Atherton kids came here?” she asks, keeping her voice casual.