Page 51 (1/2)

"You’re still stalkingvery flattering of yourself," he says

"Excuse me?"

"What makes you think I’rab iest idea what you are talking about"

"Whatever," I say "I want ain, as if he really doesn’t have any idea of what I’ to Like he’s not the one who took ame?" I ask

I don’t break eye contact with him until he holds out his hand and asks, "Will you dance with me?"

I am so startled by this proposition, I don’t kno to respond Luckily, the screech of ato do so I turn toward the sound

"May I have your attention?" A woown calls into the microphone from the bandstand on the patio The crowd of students and parents quiet down and turn their attention to her Tobin and a very dapper-looking Japanese man, who I assume is Tobin’s father, stand by her side "I am happy to welcome you all to our home today," the woman who et here, and I am as proud of you as I am of my own son However, I do think Tobin deserves a round of applause for landing the lead in this year’s play"

She starts the applause and everyone in the crowd--except Haden, who has retreated behind the nolia tree, I notice--joins in Next, thewelco the coth dresses near the bar

"And where is your costar, Toby?" she asks "I hear she’s quite lovely"

Even from where I stand, I can see the blush in Tobin’s cheeks He finds me in the crowd and points me out to his mother The mayor attempts to start a round of applause for me, but I am not surprised that it sounds much more feeble than for Tobin

"I hope you will enjoy the party," Mayor Winters says "We will be sending the floral arrangements to Pear Perkins’s hospital rooet-well card that is circulating the party We want to do everything we can to take care of our own here in Oly white teeth behind her ruby red lipstick "Oh, and do be sure to help yourselves to the spider rolls; they’re an Oshiro family specialty"

And with another round of applause, Mayor Winters and her husband head down the patio steps, shaking hands with party guests as they go The orchestra strikes up again, and couples head out onto the dance floor I slip past theratulations of aa pale yellow scarf Tobin smiles when he sees me approach and excuses himself fro ht"

"Too late," I say with a smile

He looks even more Frank Sinatra–esque in a black suit, bow tie, and a black fedora sitting on his head at a rakish angle With my heels on, I tower over him even more than usual, but he doesn’t seem to mind

"Wanna dance?" he says