Drew’s too much of a gentleman to say more, but he doesn’t have to. ThatHmmsays everything.
“In case anyone asks,” I tell Drew, “I was still sick this morning. I only started to feel better at lunchtime.”
“Got it,” he nods. “What happened this morning?”
“Hayley’s graduation ceremony.” It’s sure to come up at dinner, so there’s no point in keeping it a secret.
“I see,” he says, as we turn into the parking lot. “You missed it to come to Toronto.”
“I didn’t mind,” I say truthfully.
Nico’s is one of those fancy places with classical music and real tablecloths. The maître d’ leads us to a table in the back, where my parents are sitting with Hayley and Justin. Everyone stands as we approach.
“Alexandra,” my father says stiffly. “This is a surprise.”
I’m not sure if he’s surprised I’ve shown up with a date or that I’ve shown up at all. But either way, it makes me wish I hadn’t come.
“A good one, I hope,” I say lightly. I resolve not to let Dad get to me, and introduce Drew around the table.
“We didn’t know Alexandra was dating anyone,” my mother says, giving Drew a curious look as she shakes his hand. He looks really good tonight, in a charcoal gray jacket and blue tie.
“I guess Ally wanted to keep me a secret,” Drew says dryly. “I’ll try not to read too much into that.”
“Congratulations, Hayley,” I say, reaching into my purse for the card I bought her. I didn’t have any great ideas for a graduation present, so I got her a gift card for her favorite indie bookstore.
“Thanks,” she says, tucking the card into her purse without opening it.
We take our seats, and a waiter named Paolo arrives to take drink orders. Dad loses no time in telling Paolo that we’re celebrating his daughter’s graduation, and Paolo says all the appropriate things. He’s probably used to this.
Paolo disappears, and Dad turns to me. I brace myself for questions about my relationship with Drew, but I get a reprieve.
“It was a shame you missed the graduation ceremony this morning,” Dad says. “Hayley gave a very inspiring valedictory speech.”
“We took a video of it,” my mother puts in, pulling out her phone. “I’ll send it to you, Ally.”
“Thanks.”
“I’m glad you’re feeling better, Ally,” Hayley puts in. “Mom said you had a stomach bug or something?”
“Yep,” I nod. “But I’m much better, thanks.”
“Whatever she had was really miserable, though,” Drew lies shamelessly. “I was starting to get worried about her. But it turned out to be the kind of thing that hits hard, then disappears.”
Drew’s remark implies that he was looking after me, and my father gives him a measuring look.
“So how long have you and Alexandra been dating?” Dad asks.
“About a month and a half,” Drew replies.
“And how did you meet?” my mother asks.
“We both work at the hospital,” Drew says.
Paolo interrupts to take our orders. I’m tempted to order the scallops, but since I’m supposed to be recovering from a stomach bug, I opt for the vegetarian penne.
“Hayley was offered a job at the hospital,” my father puts in. “She did a placement on the internal medicine unit, and they really wanted her to stay, right, Hayley?”
“Well, they didn’t make a job offer, but they asked me to apply,” Hayley says modestly. “But Justin’s family owns a physio clinic, and it felt like a better fit. I’ll have more flexibility, and I’ll get to be my own boss.”
