The Dating Tutor: Alec's Story (15 page)

Relief washed through him at this. Having the approval of Ellie’s mother meant a great deal to him, especially considering the respect he had for her. “Thank you. I promise I’ll be good to her.”

“I know you will.”  With a nod toward her house, Mrs. Harper said, “Now run on inside and tell her the good news. I can imagine you’re ecstatic to tell her.”

Alec bobbed his head eagerly. “I am!” He raced off toward her front door. “Thanks again, Mrs. Harper!” He called the words over his shoulder as he darted inside the house. He could not wait to tell his girlfriend that they would be attending the same college in the fall.

* * * *

Sitting across from Shannon, Alec once again had the thought of how lucky he was that he’d waited for sex. If he had taken Shannon up on her offer in his car…well, it would have cheapened things with Ellie. Besides, Shannon and Matt seemed to be hitting it off well enough.

As she riffled through some papers in front of her, he prodded her to get on with the interview she was conducting. “So this is for the paper?” he asked gently.

Finding what she wanted, Shannon lifted her eyes to his and gave a sheepish shrug. “I needed the extra credit.” She glanced at the paper in front of her before reading off the first question. “Is it true that you’ll be attending Boston College in the fall? With multiple scholarships?”

Alec beamed. For once, everything in his life was falling into place. “That’s correct. I’ll be playing hockey for Boston at the start of the fall semester.”

“Alec, that’s fantastic!” He was surprised to find that her words sounded genuine. Perhaps Matt was having a good influence on her. “Your father must be proud.”

“He is,” Alec gushed. “Dad is beside himself with excitement. He doesn’t intend to miss a single game if he can help it. He’s…well, he’s great.” He was ecstatic that he could say that and mean it. Jerich Horner had turned into super dad, and as promised, he hadn’t touched a drop of alcohol since that night a few weeks ago.

“And now the question on everyone girl in school’s mind… Are you single, Alec?” She arched a brow at him, her eyes full of interest.

He could only roll his eyes at this. “You know I’m not. I’m dating Ellie Harper. Everyone in school knows this. I haven’t been shy about it.”

Shannon frowned. “The girl that turned Jake Phillips gay?”

“She didn’t turn Jake gay,” he huffed with agitation. “Jake was alre… Forget it. Yes. That would be the Ellie I’m talking about.”

“You’re not worried she’ll have the same effect on you?”

Alec just stared, wondering how many cells in her brain had been affected by hairspray. He never got a chance to answer, because the door to the room inched open and Ellie peeked inside.

“You ready?” she asked. “We have reservations tonight at DeNuzio’s. That dance floor is calling my name.”

As he climbed to his feet, Alec spared Shannon one last glance. “No. I’m not worried. In fact, I don’t have a care in the world. My life is exactly how I always wanted it to be. It’s…perfect.”

Strolling to the door, he enveloped Ellie in a tight hug before lowering his lips to hers. “I love you, Ellie Harper.”

She smiled with her lips against his. “I love you too, Alec Horner.”

“Always,” he said firmly.

Ellie bobbed her head in agreement. “Always.”

The End

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