Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 75983 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 380(@200wpm)___ 304(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75983 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 380(@200wpm)___ 304(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
“Yes, just waiting on Alexander to finish class and change.” I turned toward Mom. She looked festive in a leaf-print skirt and pumpkin-orange sweater. Seeing her looking spry did my heart good, but I needed her to worry less about me and more about her own schedule. “Are you ready for your coffee date?”
“Of course. It’s just Elaine.” She laughed, another welcome sound. As much as I didn’t like her bustling up behind me, I was glad she was up to coffee with her old friends like Alexander’s mother. The two had a long-standing Monday tradition. Casting a critical eye on herself in the mirror, Mom adjusted her sweater. “And I’m so glad you convinced Alexander to go with you.”
“Just Elaine?” Alexander’s mother swept in on a gust of cold air. She had evidently caught my mother’s reply, but she didn’t seem put out as she wrapped my mother in a quick hug. Snow seemed more likely by the day, and Elaine was bundled in an elegant black wool coat, red hat, and thick gloves. “And who convinced Alexander to do what?”
“Rudy has the most marvelous plan to involve the local schools.” Pride shone through my mother’s voice, and I stood a little taller. This was the tone she usually reserved for bragging on Waylon and Helen, and warmth spread across my chest as she continued, “Today, they’re visiting third and fourth grade classrooms to introduce a unit on ballet and The Nutcracker, which will culminate with all the students coming to a special Friday morning performance the week of the show.”
“Oh, that’s wonderful.” Elaine turned her smile on me. Tall and slim with ash-colored hair and striking blue eyes, she’d gifted Alexander with all her regal genes. “And Alexander is going along? I was under the impression that children gave him hives.”
“It’s not an allergy, Mother.” Alexander groaned as he strode toward us. He’d changed from his usual dance clothes into crisp gray pants and an ivory cashmere sweater he most certainly hadn’t found in the clearance bin at the thrift store down the block. He carried a coat over one arm. “I’m sure these elementary schoolers will be far easier than Isabella’s toddler demons.”
“Isabella has an adorable little family.” My mother was nothing if not loyal to Elaine and her family. “And your mother needs more grandkids.”
“I do.” Elaine seized the opening, bumping my mother’s shoulder with her own. “Margie’s in the lead. Can’t have that.”
Lord save me from my mother’s favorite subject, one Elaine evidently shared. I had no idea of Alexander’s opinion on kids or relationships, for that matter, but I didn’t want to end up with the spotlight on me next.
“We should be going.” I grabbed my coat from a nearby chair. “The school is expecting us.”
“Absolutely.” Alexander gave a charming smile before pulling on his coat and following me to the parking lot on the side of the building. “Thank you for that rescue.”
“No problem. I know the grandkid pressure well.” I unlocked my car, a smaller compact that got decent mileage. Waylon had cut me a deal when I graduated from college. He and Shannon needed something bigger for the kids, and I’d needed anything more reliable than the ancient Civic I’d kept on life support all through college. As Alexander got settled, I cranked the heater to high. “My nieces and nephews are wonderful, but my mom seems to think everyone needs to follow Waylon and Shannon’s lead on repopulating Hollyberry.”
“Exactly.” Alexander shot me a commiserating look that went a long way to easing my awkwardness over having him in my car.
He’d been far friendlier toward me since the other night when we’d played the board game, but I continued to feel weirdly nervous around him. If anything, playing my favorite game with him had only made me that much more jittery. It was one thing to suffer a crush from afar, and another entirely to enjoy spending time with him and to have him riding next to me in my car.
Alexander, however, had no such issues as he kept on chatting as he buckled up. “It’s gotten to the point where I never mention dating to my mother, or else I start getting forwarded wedding planning emails.”
“Does ballet even leave you time to date?” Acting was hardly my strong suit, but I kept my tone casually disinterested. Despite my long-standing crush on the guy, I didn’t know much about his personal life, and curiosity made my pulse speed up.
“Not really. People do it anyway, of course.” Alexander gave a knowing chuckle as I headed out of the parking lot and toward the elementary school, which sat on the other side of the neighborhood of historic houses rimming downtown. “When I was an apprentice in Boston, I had a messy thing with a fellow company member that led to me swearing off dating dancers and Boston both. Then, somehow, after a few years in Seattle, I ended up with amnesia and did the same thing with a choreographer.” He groaned and leaned back in his seat, taking all my hopes that he was gay with him. I hadn’t wanted to assume, but I sure had hoped. I kept my expression neutral, though, as Alexander thumped his head against the headrest. “I’m done for real now though. No dating until retirement.”