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“You excited to see your mom?” Henry asked.
“Yeah, I always love when she comes to campus.” I said, flipping to the review quiz at the end of the chapter.
“We had Visitation Day at Brixton, but it was stupid—all the tours and fancy food to show parents where their overpriced tuition was going.”
“Same here.” I nodded.
“You going anywhere over break?” Henry asked, erasing an equation that wasn’t working out.
I handed Henry my pink rectangular eraser and laughed. “Looks like you need a bigger one.” Reaching my hands up over my head to stretch my back, I shook my head. “No, not going anywhere. Just helping my mom around the house and making sure I’m ready for all those final exams in January when we get back.”
“Of course, you’re gonna study over vacation!” Henry teased and tossed my eraser back at me. “You know, you’ll have to keep tutoring me, right? I mean, if I go six weeks without opening a book, I’m gonna forget everything, and we’ll both be screwed.” He laughed.
Happy he sounded like he was going to miss me, too, I smiled. “Alright, but it’s gonna cost you! I better get some good dinners from your fancy chef when we get back!”
“You look amazing, Grace! Pink is way more your color than mine, so I want you to keep it!” Lexi squealed and motioned for me to turn around in a circle. “Princess Grace!” She sighed. “Wait until Henry sees you.”
“Thank you, Lexi. I do love it.” I spun around again, admiring myself in the full-length mirror.” My cheeks were as pink as the dress because she brought up Henry. “It’s not like that with him, though. I told you I don’t have a choice.”
Lexi wheeled around to face me. “Seriously, Grace? You think anybody believes that? You’re inseparable.”
I threw my hands up, pretending to be confused but smiling slyly because Lexi was, after all, my best friend and knew me better than anyone. “Whaddya mean? I’m just his tutor.”
“Yeah, tutor of LOVE!” She giggled. “What kind of lessons do you study for that?”
Smoothing out the front of the dress and admiring the light shade of pink, I answered. “Lexi, we haven’t even kissed, remember? Henry doesn’t like me that, or he would’ve—”
“What?” Lexi glared at me, clearly in disbelief. “I mean, I know you’ve never told me you’ve kissed after that close call that one night, but I figured—”
“No.” I shook my head. “I told you, it’s not like that with him. He’s a freakin’ billionaire’s kid, Lexi. Why would he want to date a girl whose mom cleans hotel rooms?”
“Hey, wait a minute. Your mom works hard, and I know you respect that.” Lexi said, pointing at me with her long index finger. “I do. You’re right. It’s just that they’re probably gonna meet today, and I’m nervous.” “About what? Your mom is great, and you said Henry’s great. It’s gonna be—well—great!” Lexi patted my arm. “Stop worrying. My parents love your mom, and they’ll chat with her if things get awkward.”
“I know. Thanks. They’ve always been so nice to her and to me.”
“Come on, Princess Grace.” Lexi said, holding up her phone to take my picture. “Say cheese then let’s go find your prince!”
I had to laugh because here I was—Grace O’Connell—becoming a main character.
Walking to the Visitation Day reception, Lexi and I passed “Billionaire Block” and seeing Henry’s very serious-looking brick and ivy-covered building, I thought again about him meeting my mom. “Shit. Lexi!” I grabbed her arm, panicking. “If he meets my mom, does that mean I have to meet his parents?”
Lexi took my hand. “Breathe, Grace. The Waltons are regular people—who flew here in their private helicopter and have their name on nearly every building at Brixton.” She giggled. “They’re going to love you. You’re the only reason their delinquent kid is passing, remember?” Lexi smiled. “Stand up straight, or you’ll wrinkle the front of your dress.”
“Crap.” I muttered under my breath. “There’s Henry.” My whole body felt warm seeing him. Don’t blush. Do. Not. Blush. I repeated to myself.
Henry beamed his straight, bright white smile at me and called out, “There you are! I’ve been looking for you!”
“Hi,” I said, feeling uncharacteristically awkward. Figuring it was the dress, I tried to imagine I was in the jeans and sweatshirt he usually saw me in.
“You look nice.” Henry raised his eyebrows and grinned. He nodded at Lexi. “And you look great, too. Riverview’s finest and brightest.” He turned to walk with us. “Well, at least the two of you, anyway.” Pointing toward the jazz band playing under the white tent on the other side of the courtyard, he said, “Guess it’s time to face the music!”
“Such a comedian,” Lexi laughed. “Now I see why Grace hangs out with you so much.”
I glared at her, hoping she heard what I was saying to her with my eyes. I’m only his tutor, Lex.
The jazz music floated around the guests and their glasses of champagne as servers offered crudité and oysters on what appeared to be expensive China.
“There are my parents!” Lexi said, letting go of my hand she’d been holding because I think she was worried I’d either run away from the reception or fall over from nerves. “I’ll meet you two in a bit.”
