yoga center, hesitates for just a split second before running over to give Kit the requisite hug.
“How was the date? ”
“It was good.” Kit is cautious, waiting to see if Tracy volunteers that she was giving Robert a private class last night. “How was your evening? ”
Tracy nudges her. “I don’t wanna talk about me! I want to hear about that cute guy! Did you have fun? Did he charm your socks off ? ”
Kit woke this morning bubbling with excitement and a slow smile spreads on her face. She has left three messages for Charlie, enormously frustrated that she can’t get hold of her, and has been dying to talk to someone.
Tracy doesn’t feel like her natural first choice, not after she knows Tracy has kept something from her, but she wants to share, needs to share, and although she’s trying to stay calm, she feels like squealing with happiness.
“He’s really nice,” Kit says.
“Oh come on. Look at you!” Tracy peers closely. “You look like you’re about to burst.”
“No . . . it’s just I had a really nice time. I’d forgotten what it’s like to have a date that goes well.”
“So it did go well? You like him? ”
“I think so. Although who knows what will happen? He seemed to want to do it again.”
She wants to say more, but doesn’t, because things feel strange with Tracy, and until it’s out in the open, Kit can’t confide more in her. She takes a deep breath, hating confrontation, but it seems that Tracy is deliberately keeping this from her, and why would that be? Tracy’s made no secret of wanting to get to know Robert better, so why would she not tell Kit she was at his house last night? Even if it were purely innocent, not saying something immediately throws a shadow of guilt.
“Tracy . . . there’s something I need to talk about with you . . . I know you were at Robert’s last night.”
“What? ” Tracy looks shocked. “I mean, well, yes, I was. I was giving him a yoga lesson.”
“But why didn’t you tell me? ”
“Honestly? I could tell you weren’t happy when I was saying I had kind of a crush on him, and I didn’t want to upset you.”
“But that’s ridiculous. I’m not upset. I’m more upset that you didn’t tell me; it makes me far more suspicious.”
“I’m sorry. I hear you and you’re right. I should have said something, but it was all totally last minute. He called me yesterday and asked me—”
“He called you? ”
“Yes. Why? ”
Kit shakes her head. No need to say it, but she is surprised, would have thought it was the other way round.
“So I really wasn’t planning it, and it was just a yoga lesson. I didn’t think it was a big deal, not worth repeating.”
“Would you just tell me next time? ” Kit says. “Only because it feels weird not to know. I mean, I walked in and saw you both there, my friend and my boss, and no one had said anything which makes me feel . . . I don’t know . . . irrelevant.”
“You walked in?” Now Tracy is surprised. “I thought you were on your date? ”
“I was, but I left my earrings at Robert’s and wanted to pick them up before the date.”
“You’re sure you weren’t spying on me? ” For a second, Tracy’s face hardens, and Kit frowns, trying to figure it out, then Tracy breaks into a smile. “Relax. I was kidding. Do you forgive me? ”
“Of course I forgive you. I wasn’t mad, I just needed to say something.”
“So now will you tell me properly how your date was? ”
Kit pauses. She wants to tell her, and although Tracy seems to have been honest, and even apologized for not saying anything, Kit just doesn’t feel entirely comfortable. It’s as if Tracy is plugging her for information, but not because she has her best interests at heart.
“I guess I don’t really date,” she says slowly. “I haven’t been looking for anything, and I’m sure it won’t lead to anything anyway because I’m much too busy, but he’s cute.”
“Cute? Is that it? ”
“No.” She shrugs. “He’s handsome and funny and smart, and certainly seems to be interested in me.”
Tracy raises an eyebrow. “You mean . . .”
“No! I mean, he asked me tons of questions. He seems like he really wants to get to know me, which is probably a stupid thing to think on a first date,