Chapter Thirty-One
On Thursday evening, Mei hit the video call button, bouncing a little as she waited for Alexandre to pick up.
“I have some news!” she exclaimed when he answered.
He looked extra handsome with a fresh haircut.
“I already heard back from two places I applied to: Pure, the sustainable cleaning startup, and We’re the First, a nonprofit that helps first-generation college students.
I have interviews with both of them next week! ”
“Congratulations! You’re doing it.”
“Petit à petit.” Mei’s grin faded as she remembered the other topic they needed to discuss.
“So I was thinking we should strategize about tomorrow. You’re still coming, right?
” Her cousin, Evie, was part of a small contemporary ballet company that was performing in a showcase with several other dance troupes.
Evie had invited her, Ali, and Luc. Ali and Luc had then invited Alexandre.
“Yup.”
“Think we can play it cool for the night?”
“Hmm.” Alexandre frowned and looked off-camera. God, he was cute when he was thinking, or just doing anything, really. “We could tell Ali and Luc we’re seeing each other,” he said, turning back to her.
Mei drummed her fingers on her knee. She’d gone back and forth about this all week.
Whenever she thought about breaking the news to Ali and Luc, all she could think was, You’re going to take down Le Prof, too.
How’s that going to play out with your dear little sister and her perfect family?
When she considered keeping her and Alexandre a secret a bit longer, she’d remember, You don’t tell Ali jack shit!
“I want to, but not tomorrow,” Mei decided. “We’re going to be at the show, then a bar full of people. Ali and Luc will want all the details. It’s Evie’s night, and I don’t want to take that away from her.”
“You don’t think they’ll pick up on it? Especially Ali?”
“Ugh, she’ll definitely know! We should keep a little distance so she won’t get suspicious.” Anytime Mei was within a few feet of Alexandre, they inevitably ended up touching.
“That’s probably a good idea. Do you still want to meet up after?”
“Of course! I’m all about our little after party.”
That mischievous smile appeared on Alexandre’s lips. “I am, too.”
· · ·
The following evening, Mei waited in the lobby of a dance studio in Hell’s Kitchen. She toyed with a lock of hair as she scanned the scene. How would she ever act platonic with Alexandre?
Mei spotted Ali and Luc making their way through the crowd. “I missed you!”
“Me too.” Ali gave her a tight hug. “Hawai‘i feels like ages ago.”
You have no idea how much has happened since then! Over Ali’s shoulder, Mei glimpsed Alexandre. Her heart sped up. He arched his eyebrow, telepathically asking, Ready for this? Mei nearly exploded with giggles. She leaned in to give him a rigid hug.
In the theater, Mei slid into the row first. Ali, Luc, and Alexandre followed.
The room darkened. Blue lights illuminated the stage. An up-tempo percussive beat filled the space as dancers emerged from the wings. Some leapt in with graceful bounds, while others ebbed and flowed on- and offstage through a series of quick-footed turns.
Evie’s company performed third to a jazzy medley.
Mei didn’t know much about dance, but she could see that her cousin had talent.
Evie’s moves were languid and expansive during a slow movement, and sharp and fleet when the music picked up.
At the end of the number, Mei and Ali exchanged impressed smiles while applauding wildly.
After the show, they gathered at a nearby dive bar to celebrate. Everyone cheered when Evie and her dancer friends arrived.
“You were so good!” Mei hugged her cousin.
“You remember my brother, Alexandre, right?” Luc asked, reintroducing Alexandre to Evie.
“Of course!” Evie said. “Thanks for coming.”
Mei’s mind flashed back to the bachelor/bachelorette, when she’d envisioned Evie and Alexandre getting together. She wanted to laugh at herself. Look at where they were now.
“Have you always been a professional dancer?” Alexandre asked.
“I wish!” Evie replied. “I’ve danced my whole life, but I’m not a professional. All the people in my company have full-time day jobs. We just take ballet classes and go to rehearsals after work and on weekends. It’s a lot, but I love it.”
“It shows,” Alexandre said. “I haven’t seen much dance, but I’ve done a lot of sports, and I can tell when someone is really good at something.”
Evie beamed. Mei looked down at her beer. Alexandre had never paid her a compliment like that, but why would he? She’d dropped all her hobbies and interests for Livin.
Luc and Alexandre went to the bar for another round of drinks, leaving Mei, Ali, and Evie.
“How are you doing?” Evie asked Mei.
“Much better since the last time you saw me, and the months after.” Might as well answer what Evie was really asking.
“I felt terrible for you, but it’s for the best.” Evie wrinkled her nose. “Joey was kind of—”
“Immature? Cringe?” Mei supplied wryly.
Evie and Ali laughed. Mei smiled, too. Talking about Joey wasn’t as painful anymore.
“Are you dating again?” Evie asked.
A flush crept into Mei’s cheeks. “I’m starting to think about it.”
Ali looked at her with surprise.
“What about him?” Evie nodded toward Alexandre at the bar.
“Alexandre?” Ali asked.
“Yeah. He’s around your age, right? And single?”
“Ha! He is.” Ali turned to Mei. “Can you imagine?”
Mei gulped down her beer. Now her face was aflame. Thank goodness for the bar’s dim lighting.
Ali raised her eyebrows. A sly smile tugged at her lips.
Oh god, she knows. Mei shot Evie a pointed look. “Are you asking about Alexandre for yourself?”
Her cousin laughed. “No. I just started seeing someone I met on the apps.”
“What are they like these days?”
“Not fun. But they’re still the best way for me to meet people, so I stick with them.” Evie smiled ruefully. “I keep telling myself it’ll be worth it when I find my person.”
“It will.” Mei’s eyes slid back to Alexandre at the bar. He winked at her, a private smile passing between them. Mei’s heart soared. I found my person.