"Uh, thanks," Heath called back awkwardly. Drew groaned in embarrassment. Her brother-in-law was a huge MMA fan and talked about Heath as though they knew each other in real life.
"I didn't know my sister knew you," Nik went on, scooting into the passenger seat and leaning out the window. "She never mentioned she had famous friends."
"Nik!" Drew hissed, glaring. "Please!"
"So we'll see you Sunday, then?" Nik went on casually and Drew was truly horrified.
Heath looked confused. "What's Sunday?"
Nik finally acknowledged her sister, shifting her eyes to her in a glare. "You didn't ask him to Sunday dinner? What is wrong with you?"
"Nik, for fuck's sake, what is wrong with you?" Drew demanded, bringing her fingers to her temples. She almost jumped out of her skin when she felt Heath's elbow dig lightly into her ribs.
"What, I'm not invited?" he asked her seriously, though his eyes twinkled with mischief.
She gaped at him. "You-you want to come?" she asked, astonished.
He shrugged. "Sure. Why wouldn't I? Your sister is expecting me."
"The whole family," Nik corrected. "Or, they will be when I tell them about this." She waved a finger. "Not just any random guy off the street is gonna hang around our little Drew without meeting the family. No offense."
"None taken," Heath replied.
"Good. So we'll see you on Sunday," Nik repeated as though Drew weren't sitting there. "I'll let her give you the details later."
"Oh, thank you," Drew said sarcastically.
"Get in here," Nik said finally to Drew. "You didn't bring me any yogurt? Jesus. Good night, Heath," she added, giving him a big smile as she slid into the driver's seat. "See you later."
"Nice meeting you," Heath replied. He rose when Drew stood up. She looked mortified.
"I'm sorry," she said in a low voice. "I'm the baby of the family, they do this. You seriously do not need to come on Sunday. Just ignore her."
"Are you uninviting me to Sunday dinner?" Heath asked.
"N-no! I mean, clearly you can come if you want, but I don't want you to feel obligated or anything…"
"I'd like to come," he said, smiling.
Drew stared up at him doubtfully. "You remember I'm Italian, right?" she demanded. "With a big, crazy loud family? We made ball-busting into an art form. Plus, I repeat, I'm the baby of the family and a girl. You don't know what they'll do to you –"
"Stop," Heath said with a chuckle. "I can handle myself. Plus, it would only make you look bad if I didn't come. Your sister just said she was going to tell your whole family she saw us together."
"She will, too," Drew said, more to herself and sounding slightly panicked as she glanced over at her impatient sister.
"All right then. Just tell me when and where," Heath said. He nodded toward the car. "You better go before she kills you or me or both of us."
Drew sighed. "All right," she said. She gave him another doubtful look. "I—we'll talk later." She tossed her empty yogurt bowl into a nearby trash receptacle and climbed in beside her sister. He grinned to himself as Nik wiggled her fingers in a goodbye wave and Drew gave him an absolutely bewildered stare before pulling off.
The cellphone in his pocket vibrated then, and he pulled it out and glanced down at the screen. It was from a woman named Rose, at the box office he'd called earlier on the way to the Y to see Drew.
"Mr. Riley," the email read. "I just wanted to personally reach out and tell you—good news! We were able to find two tickets for you after all for the Giselle performance next week. There was a mix-up with an online order and we found ourselves with a spare pair. They're in the best section of the house, too. Looks like you lucked out—we are now officially sold out. You can pick up your tickets at the box office the night of the performance. See you next week, and enjoy the show!"
Heath smiled and sent a "Thank you" reply, before tucking the phone back into his pocket and heading for the bus stop to head back to the gym.
Chapter Ten
"I'll take the deposit again tonight, B," Drew called the following evening as she quickly swept behind the counter. She grabbed a rag and wiped down the counter and hurried to the back to begin the dishes.
Bunz eyed her coolly from the counter where she was making lemon curd-filled cupcakes. "Why are we in such a hurry tonight?" she asked. "You don't teach until seven. And it's only five."
"I know, but, like, um…" Drew made a rolling motion with her index fingers, casting about for a suitable lie. "I just have some errands and such to run."