Page 11 of Tutored in Love
Ivy sees through my lame attempt at excitement. “His name is Dave Sapir, and he’s very nice, so stop looking at me like I’m an alien.”
I wipe the shock off my face and try to imagine Dave as someone I would be excited about dating. “So how did this come about? I didn’t think you knew each other.”
“Well, yesterday after lunch, I ran into him at the bookstore and told him how much I enjoyed his insights on Sunday, and we talked for a bit. And then he said he had to get going and I told him I was going home, too, so we walked together. He lives in the Moore Apartments—”
“As in ‘Lessis Moore’?”
She completely ignores the reference to our running slight on the extremely rundown complex that borders ours. She’s also refusing to look at me as she hastily clears her meal. Interesting.
“I mentioned having to attend the musical Friday,” she continues, “and he seemed interested, so I asked him if he’d like to come.”
Ivy throws away her trash and leans against the counter, drawing some much-needed air and meeting my eyes with what appears to be a request for approval. From me? This is new. As picky as she is about guys, anyone she’s this interested in must be amazing. Far be it for me to object.
“That’s great! I’m assuming he accepted?”
She nods, smiles bigger.
Very interesting.
Chapter 4
Swing
The next day I’m stuffingmy notebook back into Trusty after another incomprehensible math lecture when Ivy’s text buzzes.
Ivy:Help!
Me:What’s up?
Ivy:This date is freaking me out. Double me?
Good grief.I hate musicals, I remind her.
My phone buzzes with an incoming call as I’m walking out of the lecture hall. I’m expecting Ivy, but it’s my mom. Maybe she can save me.
“Hey, Mom!” I say, exiting the building and finding a bit of shade under a cluster of aspens.
“Gracie, darlin’,” she says, the lilt of her Southern accent bringing a smile to my face. “How are you? Did I catch you at a bad time?”
“I have a minute,” I say. “What’s up?”
She gives me a rundown on my brothers and Claire, including my three-year-old niece, Ava’s, latest antics with her new baby brother.
“Maybe I’ll come home this weekend,” I say, thinking that would be a great way to avoid Ivy’s musical setup torture.
“I’d love that,” she says, “but we’re headed to Durango for Kaden’s football game—you know how Zach loves to go and watch. Another weekend?”
“That works. How’s Kaden doing?” I ask.
“Oh, you know,” she says, “he doesn’t play much, but he enjoys it while he’s waiting for basketball season.”
“Good friends?” I ask, the question loaded. I really should reach out to him more.
“He’s doin’ just fine.” Her gentle tone reassures me more than her words, and I blink away the sting in my eyes. I hear my dad calling to her in the background. “Looks like your dad’s home for lunch. You want to say hi?”
“Nah, I need to get to class,” I say, “but give him a hug for me.”
Another text from Ivy buzzes in as we say goodbye, and I gladly trade the worry triggered by Mom’s phone call for irritation with Ivy. It’s not like I have a boyfriend I can hoodwink into being my plus-one for this stupid musical. She’s asking for the moon and she knows it, but I can already feel myself giving in. Still, I open her text with no small amount of annoyance.