“I can wait for Ty for as long as it takes,” Annie said. “He’s definitely worth it.”
“You’re definitely worth waiting for, too. Don’t forget that,” Dr. McDaniels said. “Now, one last thing before you go. Do you have any questions at all about how to get through the holidays with all the food that’s going to be around? Sometimes it’s really hard to see so much food. It can make you feel as if you might lose control and eat everything in sight. Some people panic and revert to avoiding everything, not just the food, but all the social interactions and parties that might involve it.”
“I don’t think I’ll do that,” Annie said. “But if I start to get anxious or anything, I’ll call you.”
“Good. That’s exactly the thing to do. Or talk to your mom or dad. Or come to one of those support-group meetings we’ve talked about. You have the schedule.”
Annie had been to one meeting at Dr. McDaniels’s insistence. It had felt kind of good to know there were other kids who’d been through what she had, but she hadn’t been back. Going there made her feel as if she was still sick, as if she had to focus on the anorexia all the time, when all she wanted was to put it behind her. Seeing Dr. McDaniels once a week was reminder enough.
Apparently her expression must have given her away, because the doctor said, “I know you don’t want to join a support group, Annie, and I’ve gone along with that because you seem to be doing well on your own. It can be a really good resource, though, especially when you’re facing a social occasion with a lot of food—the kind that come up during the holidays. You’d be welcome at any meeting.”
“I’ll remember,” Annie assured her. “Are we finished now?”
“Yes, you can go,” Dr. McDaniels said, smiling. “Enjoy your afternoon with Ty.”
“Thanks, I will.”
Annie turned and bounded out the door. She skidded to a stop before she walked into the parking lot. She didn’t want Ty to think she was too excited about this shopping trip.
Halfway to the car, she could hear the music blaring from the radio, tuned to their favorite rock station. Thank goodness they had the same taste in music. A lot of kids at school liked rap, but Annie just found a lot of the lyrics disgusting.
She tapped on the window of the car, then opened the door and got in. Ty grinned at her and immediately turned the music down. “How’d it go?” he asked, starting the car.
“Okay,” she told him.
He turned and studied her before putting the car into gear. “You sure?”
Annie nodded.
“You’d tell me if you were having problems again, wouldn’t you?” he asked.
She flushed under his scrutiny. “Do we have to talk about this?”
He frowned at her sharp tone. “I’m just saying you can talk to me about stuff.”
“I know that,” she said impatiently.
He cut the engine. “Okay, spill. What’s going on?”
“Nothing,” she insisted, not sure why her mood had turned sour when she’d been so excited and optimistic earlier. Maybe it was the reminder that Ty couldn’t seem to forget she had an eating disorder. Sometimes she wondered if the concern he had for her health was the only thing between them.
“Annie, I know you,” he persisted. “There’s obviously something on your mind. If it doesn’t have anything to do with your session, then what is it?”
“It’s my mom,” she said, seizing on the first thing that came to mind so she wouldn’t have to explain that she was frustrated because he still didn’t see her as a potential girlfriend. “She’s not taking care of herself the way she should.”
“Have you told her you’re worried?”
“Last night. My dad talked to her, too.”
“Well, my mom and Helen have this whole bet thing going with her. Maybe they’re on top of things.”
“I don’t think so,” Annie said wearily.
Ty reached for her hand and gave it a squeeze. “I’ll tell my mom to talk to her again, okay?”
Annie could hardly breathe for fear Ty would drop her hand. She liked the way his felt, all warm and strong, the skin rougher than her own. His holding her hand wasn’t such a big deal, but he’d never done it before.
“Annie?”
“Hmm?” She lifted her gaze from their clasped hands to his face.
“You’re all flushed,” he said, dropping her hand to touch her cheek. “Is something else wrong?”
“Nothing,” she said with an exasperated sigh. She reached for the knob on the car stereo and turned up the music.
Ty turned it back down, regarding her with a confused expression. “Are you mad at me?”
Annie decided to be honest. “Not mad, frustrated,” she said.
“Why?”
“I like you.”
He still looked befuddled. “I like you, too.”
“No, I mean I really like you, and you treat me like your kid sister or something.”
“Oh.”
Annie shook her head. “I knew I should keep my mouth shut,” she said, filled with self-disgust. “It’s okay that you don’t like me that way.”
He glanced at her, appearing far more uncertain than she’d ever seen him look before. “Maybe I do,” he said quietly.
Annie’s pulse scrambled. “You do?”
His gaze met hers. “I just don’t want to mess things up between us, you know?”
She nodded, filled with relief. “I know. Me, too.”
“And I’ll be going away to school next year,” he reminded her. “It would be crazy to start something and then have to leave.”
“You’re probably right,” she agreed, her hopes deflating.
“Still, maybe we could spend some time together,” he said, as if he was working it out in his own mind as he spoke. “Like today, this shopping trip. We could think of it like a date, sort of.” He regarded her hesitantly. “What do you think?”
“I think it’s a really good place to start,” she agreed.
A grin spread across his face
