Page 32 of The ABCs of You & Me

“They say that every year, and then the following year it’s worse,” I scoff as I shoulder my bag and walk slowly toward her. I’m so tired I barely register how stunning she is, even after what I assume was an equally long day for her. She’s got her hair pulled back in a sleek ponytail and she’s wearing slim green pants and a blouse with… “Are those toadstools?” I ask, gesturing at her top.

“Sure are.” She grins. “Are you going to be okay to drive home?” she asks when she sees me fighting off a yawn.

“Yeah, I’ll wake up when I breathe in some fresh air.” I watch as her eyes narrow in disbelief. “Honestly, it’s only a ten-minute drive, I’ll be fine.”

We walk out together, and the minute the cool air hits my face, I sigh. “Waking up?”

“A little… enough, anyway.”

“Don’t feel like you still have to come tomorrow. I am sure I can find someone, or I can go alone. I know most people are resistant to that sort of thing, but I’m an only child and I’m excellent at being by myself. Plus, I’ll be surrounded by rabid Nyx Avalon fans so I’ll just?—”

I put my hand on her arm to both stop her forward motion and her mouth. “I’ve been listening to Nyx Avalon nonstop since Cass asked me. I haven’t been studying to bail on the exam. But don’t hold it against me if I fall asleep.”

“Alright, if you’re sure.”

“I wouldn’t be saying it if I wasn’t.” If it were anyone else, I would have bailed already. In fact, I wouldn’t have agreed to go in the first place, but I’m going to take every single opportunity I can to spend time with this woman.

She walks to my car with me, as if she doesn’t truly believe I can make it there on my own before telling me to drive safe and heading for her own. I watch her walk away in my side mirror and then tip my head back. I am dreading and craving tomorrow night.

Gary demands my attention the minute I walk into my apartment, and I pick him up on the way to the couch. I’m drifting off to the rhythm of Gary making biscuits on my chest when it hits me that tomorrow is our third friend date and we’re going to a concert, something starting with C. Date one was an alumni gala, two was a barbecue. I bet I can convince Sophie to go through the alphabet with me.

I fall asleep with a smile on my face and brainstorming what we could do for D.

SIXTEEN

SOPHIE

Thursday moves at a snail’s pace, but isn’t that always the way when you’re looking forward to something big?

After my final session on Thursday, I quickly change into my concert outfit and head to the staff room to wait for Foster. He’s meeting with one of his students’ parents and said he’d find me here.

“Hey Sophie,” one of the primary teachers says when she walks in. I think her name is Chanel, but I’m terrible with names of people I don’t deal with on a regular basis. “What are you still doing here?”

“Waiting for Foster.” Her eyebrows go up, and a knowing smile crosses her face. “It’s not like that. His sister is my best friend and gave him her ticket for the Nyx concert tonight. He’s being a good friend, stepping in at the last minute.”

“Foster is going to see Nyx… Avalon? Foster Walsh, that Foster?”

“You know another?” I cross my arms and lean against the counter.

“I’m starting to think I don’t know this one,” she jokes. “He’s a staunch classic rock guy, or at least that’s how he’s always presented. Maybe he’s a closeted pop fan.”

I shrug. “No idea. He’s been ‘studying’ Nyx’s backlist, apparently.”

“Please film him so we have evidence,” she begs.

“Will do!”

She washes her mug and sticks it in the drying rack before turning back to me. “He’s a really good guy.”

“Yep.” I nod.

“Like too good, ya know?”

“Can a guy be too good?” Everyone has their faults and their ugly sides, I’m sure even Foster. He sort of used to anyway, although at the time I was drawn to the rebellious side of him.

“Foster’s the kind of guy who goes out of his way to shovel snow from his neighbors driveways, walks old ladies across the road, volunteers at every school event, bakes for every kid’s birthday in his class in case they forget to bring something in…”Agrees to be your fake date to an alumni event so your ex doesn’t think you’re still a little broken.

Foster walks in while she’s still listing things really good people do. I’ve missed most of the list as I escape back into a world where Foster’s thumb slips beneath my dress and gently caresses my skin, comforting me during one of those good guy moments.

---