Page 170 of Shy Girls Can't Date Rockstars
I sigh, looking him up and down. Is that boy still in there?
Ryder tilts his head, and the muscle in his jaw flexes. “Alice?”
“Fine.” I turn to the hallway. “It was nice to meet you all.”
As I make my way to the hallway, Ryder quickly says goodbye to his parents and then jogs to catch up to me.
We’re almost at the library door when Miranda appears at the end of the hallway.
“Alice,” she whispers briskly. “Mrs. Rodriguez is here.”
I stop and turn, almost dropping my materials. “Now?”
“See, I told you this wasn’t a good time to tutor him,” Miranda says, flushed in a way I’ve never seen her.
“It’ll be okay,” I whisper back. “Just let me set this stuff down and I’ll join you.”
Miranda glances at Ryder. “Give us thirty minutes.”
Miranda leaves for the front door, and I’m quick to go into the library and abandon my armful of stuff.
Ryder follows me into the library, double-taking over his shoulder and then looking me up and down. The questions written into his expression are obvious. Why are Miranda and I acting like we have each other’s back? Who are we meeting and why?
But right now, I don’t feel like filling him in. He can either wait, or ditch our session like I already suspected he would.
I leave the library without a word and meet up with Miranda as she welcomes Mrs. Rodriguez into the house.
“Alice.” The social worker smiles upon seeing me. “You look well.”
“Thank you.” I reply, following Miranda as she leads us into the sitting room.
“Trish and Gavin,” Miranda calls out. “Do you mind giving us the room? It’s just a private matter.”
“Oh.” Mrs. Hamilton is immediately up. She moves across and helps her husband out of his armchair.
My heart aches as I see the pain in Mr. Hamilton’s steps, and the poor way he grips his wife’s hand.
Poor Ryder. They’re always on his mind.
“Who’s this?” Mrs. Rodriguez asks, raising her clipboard and pen.
“This is Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton,” Miranda says smoothly. “They are our guests and the parents of one of my clients. Ryder. You met him when you brought Alice here.”
Mrs. Rodriguez lowers her clipboard, intrigue in her expression. “Oh, lovely. Do you visit regularly?”
“Afraid not,” Mrs. Hamilton says, arm around her husband. “But our son is playing in a big showcase tomorrow night, and we couldn’t miss it.”
“Oh, how nice for you,” Mrs. Rodriguez says. “I’m Lucia Rodriguez. Alice’s social worker.”
Mrs. Hamilton’s eyes widen. “Oh.”
“Just a routine visit,” Mrs. Rodriguez adds with a cheery smile. “Nothing too serious.”
“Well,” Mr. Hamilton says, reading the room and nodding at his wife. “We’ll leave you to your meeting.”
“Thank you,” Miranda is quick to say as the Hamiltons make their way to the staircase.
“Shall we sit?” Mrs. Rodriguez asks. “I appreciate you making the time for me this morning.”
