Page 17 of Feel the Rhythm

I nodded. “I promise.”

That evening, we headed over to Hannah and Evan’s new apartment. I felt a little awkward as the fifth wheel. It used to be me and Amy, the single girls who stuck together, while Hannah and Evan were the couple. Now that Lucas was in the picture, I was the odd one out. I didn’t want to make anyone feel uncomfortable, so I was my usual silly, bubbly self. I made sure to get home at a reasonable hour, though, because the next day was Katy’s first day of second grade and the first day of the new season at the dance studio.

Amy and Lucas brought their own car so they could stay a little bit later. I drove home alone and called Scott on the way. My heart fluttered as I waited for him to pick up. Silly high school crushes take forever to die. I thought being friends with him would help me get used to being around him, but my heart never got the memo.

“Hey, there,” he said, his voice a little gravelly.

“Oh, shoot, did I wake you up?” I asked. It was only eight-thirty, but he went to bed really early some nights so he could wake up early for work.

“I fell asleep watching TV on the couch. It’s good. I need to get ready for bed, anyway.”

I zoned out for a second, wondering if he slept with a shirt on or off. After that day at the pool, I sure hoped it was off.

“Ivy?” he said, breaking off my daydreams.

“Huh?”

“You called me. Everything okay?”

I shook my head.Focus, Ivy.“Yep. I was driving home from Hannah and Evan’s and figured I’d say hi.”

“How are they?”

“Great. So happy. Amy and Lucas are still there, catching up. I figured I’d give them some ‘couple time,’ and I needed to get home so I could be ready for Katy’s first day of school tomorrow.”

He was quiet for a moment. “Does Amy seem . . . happy?”

Poor Scott. He loved his sister so much, but didn’t know the right way to show her. “She’s really good. Very happy.”

“Has she said anything about me?”

I cleared my throat, unsure how to respond.

“Ivy,” he said as a warning.

“She’s still upset with you. But she’s willing to talk to you, if you’re willing to apologize.”

“Apologize?” He sounded surprised. “I was trying to protect her.”

“I think she knows that. But you have to admit, you were going about it the wrong way.”

He huffed. “I had her best interests at heart.”

“I know. You care so much about her. But she’s very happy, and she made the best decisions for herself.”

Scott didn’t say anything for a few moments. “I’ll think about it.”

“My mom likes you,” I said, changing the subject.

“Oh, yeah?” I heard the smile in his voice. “What exactly did she say?”

“That you were sweet and you have a good heart.” I hesitated before adding the last part. “And that you’re handsome.”

I cringed, waiting for his response.

“And what did you say?” he asked.

I laughed. “Nothing.”