“Let me try.” He plucked my mug from my hand and sipped it. “That’s good.”
Okay. I clearly could not handle the two of these boys in the same space; I was about to spontaneously combust. “Let’s get you your own! Isaac, I’ll be right back.”
I practically dragged Tyler away, speed walking to the drinks station. “You can’t just drink from my cup.”
“Why not?” He grinned at me.
“I don’t know, germs? False impressions of intimacy?”
“Don’t you ever share drinks with Olivia?”
“That’s not the same and you know it.”
“No?” His eyes danced.
I rolled my eyes at him. “Here’s your drink,” I said, handing him a spiked hot chocolate. “Now let’s get you an intro to my uncle.”
“Oh yeah. That.”
I led us over to where Uncle Arnold and Aunt Shelbie talked to my father. “Hi, Dad,” I said as we approached. “Have you seen Mom? I wanted to check if we have more sour cream.”
He pushed his lips together thoughtfully. “I saw her talking to Melissa Garcia earlier, in the foyer.”
“Okay, thanks.” I waited for his eyes to flick behind me. “You remember Tyler, right? From next door? Tyler, this is my dad, my great-uncle Arnold, and my great-aunt Shelbie.”
“Nice to meet you.” Tyler nodded at the adults.
“Hello, Tyler,” Dad said. “How’s your break going?”
“It’s good, thanks. Hanging out at home, mostly.”
And with me.
“You’re at NYU, right? What are you studying?”
I shot my dad a surprised look. I expectedMomto remember details of neighbors’ lives, but not Dad so much.
Ohno. Did Dad know about Tyler because my family gossiped too much, and Mom had told Dad we were hanging out, and now Dad was paying attention?
Tyler looked equally surprised. “Um, yes, sir. Psychology.” His gaze flicked toward Uncle Arnold. “But I’m also considering a BS in business. I took a Business and Society class last semester, with Professor Rivera.”
“Not Steve Rivera?” Uncle Arnold looked interested. “He’s an old colleague of mine.”
“He’s very complimentary about your work, sir.”
Uncle Arnold snorted. “He thinks I sold out.”
Tyler smiled. “He says he’s only bitter because he’s jealous.”
Uncle Arnold laughed. “What business track are you interested in?”
“Digital and entrepreneurship,” Tyler said promptly. “I’m also taking a media studies class next semester, and I’d like them to intersect.”
“Are you, now,” Uncle Arnold said with a slight smile, clearly familiar with people trying to cozy up to him.
Tyler valiantly plowed ahead. “In fact, I’m trying to find an internship to help me explore it more.”
Uncle Arnold’s eyes gleamed. “Well, we have plenty of internships at Danzigers. You’ll have to send over your résumé.”
