Page 71 of The (Fake) Dating Game

Pat saves us for last, chatting with the other teams before making his way to us. After reading off a brief bio and showing a highlight clip reel of us from last season, he flashes his Emmy-winning smile at us and asks, “So, tell me. Last time we saw you, you two were considering a real relationship. Can you showing up here this season mean what we think it means?”

I take Leo’s whole hand in mine and hold it up. “Does this tell you anything, Pat?”

The crowd cheers, including Mrs. Min and Mr. Park who are seated over to the left wearing big smiles right next to Dad who holds up a small GO, HOLDEN AND LEO pennant he made himself.

“Young love! Warms my aging heart,” Pat says sincerely. “Leo, what would a second hundred grand mean for the two of you? What would you do with the prize money?”

“Well, Pat, we’ve been a bicoastal couple for the last year doing long distance. Airplanes are expensive and the relationship has gotten significantly more serious. Wouldn’t you say, Holden?”

I nod excitedly. “One hundred thousand dollars would help us to relocate to a more permanent place that we can share.” Leo kisses the back of my hand. My heart flutters for all to see.

Pat opens his arms to the audience as if saying: Could these guys be any cuter? “We wish you luck. We wish all of our teams immense luck as they gear up to play America’s favorite grocery-themed game show—say it with me now—Madcap Market!”

As the lights dim, I kiss Leo and then whisper alongside Pat, “Let the games begin.”