Page 87 of When Ivy Met Mr. Holiday
“I don’t know. I might have overstepped my bounds.”
Confused, I ran my fingers through her hair, trying to comfort her. “Did you get me a full-body wax or a colonoscopy?” I laughed, thinking of funny things I considered out of bounds. What did she think was out of bounds?
“No, those would be ridiculous,” she giggled.
“So what is it? Did you name a sloth after me? You know how much I dislike them.”
Something about their faces just wasn’t right. While some people found them cute, I found them oddly disturbing, like a science experiment gone wrong.
“No,” she giggled again. “And I’m not going to tell you. That’s not how Christmas presents work.”
“Hey, you two, are you dancing over there?” Drew called out.
Ivy, regrettably and reluctantly, pulled away from me.
“We’re just having a moment,” Ivy sighed, still unsettled.
“Well, have one when you’re alone. There are kids around,” Drew teased.
I guessed I would have to talk to Ivy later about what was bothering her. I had a feeling it was more than her present for me. Ivy was a thoughtful gift-giver, so I wasn’t sure where this angst was coming from. Unless she, like me, was worried about drinking that bubble gum cocoa later.
“You know, speaking of dancing,” Jaquelyn sang while stirring her hot chocolate in what looked like a mini cauldron. “I ran into Eden at the grocery store this morning.”
Shane’s head immediately popped up.
“I told her she and Sophie should stop by. I always loved watching you two dance together.” Jaquelyn smiled at Shane.
“Mom,” Shane gritted through his teeth, pressing his palms flat against the table.
Poppy looked horrified at first. “You dance, Dad? Like, what kind of dancing?”
Shane looked as if he didn’t know what to say.
Jaquelyn was happy to help him out. “Your father is an excellent swing dancer. Award winning, even.”
Sophie’s countenance immediately changed, like she’d finally connected the dots, and this was the best news ever to her. “You used to dance with Sophie’s mom?”
“He sure did,” Jaquelyn said, as if she’d been waiting her entire life to expose that tidbit.
“It was a long time ago.” Shane groaned, obviously uncomfortable.
“Oh, my gosh. I’m going to call Sophie.” She dashed out of the kitchen, breaking the speed of light.
Shane stood there dumbfounded, shaking his head at his mom.
It didn’t faze Jaquelyn one iota. “Don’t look at me like that. It was bound to come out, and it’s silly you’ve never told her.”
“You know I have my reasons, Mom.”
“I have my reasons too.” Jaquelyn winked.
Shane just shook his head.
“Ooh, this is good,” Ivy whispered in my ear.
“Why?” I whispered back.
“My mother is going to play matchmaker.”
