Mingling with strangers is usually like asking me to swallow a live snake. My hands twist together. “I don’t know.”

“Pretty please?” His gaze is pleading. “What if it rips again while I’m there? I might need you. And it will be fun, I promise. And you can meet Harry and we can talk about how gross he is after.”

Hugo is clearly terrified and anxious and scared. I know what it’s like, to go somewhere and feel alone. I can’t do that to him, especially not when I know that later, he’s going to be crying like his whole world is over.

And let’s face it, it’s better than moping around my apartment or giving into the urge to see Alex.

I nod. “I can go.”

His eyes light up, shimmering a little bit. He grips my hand briefly. “Thank you.”

Chapter Fourteen

Hugo drives us into the city in his car, a Geo Metro that’s at least thirty years old. His frame fills up the entire driver’s side and spills over into the passenger area, forcing me to lean against the window. There’s a dent in the roof headliner where his head sits. The back is full, stuffed to the brim with all his makeup and hair supplies, the dress hanging from a hook in the back seat. The car rattles and chugs so much I don’t think we’ll make it across the Bay Bridge, but Hugo distracts me by telling me what to expect.

“The audition is for a new show with a 1980s theme. Harry and I picked this whole Dirty Dancing concept, because of the song ‘The Time of My Life.’ Even though the movie is set in the ’60s, the song is so ’80s. It was really Harry’s idea.” He blows out a breath and glances over one shoulder before switching lanes. “We have to show them the performance so they can pick the lineup for the official show. Everything depends on today.”

“I’m sure you will be great.”

He huffs. “If Harry even shows. I’ve been trying to reach him since yesterday, and he’s not returning my calls.” He frowns, tossing me a worried glance. “What if he doesn’t show?”

I have no idea how to answer that question. “Um. Could someone else step in?”

“No. We practiced this for weeks. No one but the two of us know all the moves.”

“Oh, right. Well, I’m sure he’ll show. He wouldn’t want to give up this opportunity either, right?”

“I really hope so.”

We end up in the Mission District, where Hugo somehow manages to parallel park us between a VW bus and a Mercedes and I have to shut my eyes because I’m sure we won’t fit and he’s going to hit something, despite the amoeba-sized car we’re in. But somehow, he makes it work.