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I still dress to go unnoticed.
“That makes sense.” Charlie tilts his head. “Meaning?” “You fit the bill.” Cavalier. Confident. I bet he’s competitive. “That feels like an insult,” Charlie says. “You’ll survive.”
“I can’t figure him out,” I tell her after recapping my boating disaster. “I bet that’s driving you crazy.” It is.
“It is safe. But I’ll still be there.”
“I’m turning thirty-three tomorrow. You’d think I’d be a little braver.” “I think the older we get, the scarier shit becomes.”
Today I am seventeen, but sometimes I wonder if I even exist.
“Because I love defying expectations, and you, Alice Everly, seem to have a lot of them.”
There’s something about Charlie that calms the part of my brain that constantly worries about saying the wrong thing. “But
“Come on, Alice. I’m not going to laugh at you,” he says, the twinkle returning to his eyes. “You might.” “Okay, I might. But I won’t think less of you.” And I believe him.
“And you, Alice Everly, are anything but boring.”
“But the thing about love languages,” Charlie says, “is it’s not just about how we express love, but how we receive love. You need someone to do something for you that makes you feel loved. Someone to help you.” I shake my head. “I hate asking for help.” “That’s because deep down, you want someone to see what you need before you have to ask.”
Charlie stares at me, no hint of the joker anymore. I like this about him—he has an instinct for when it’s okay to play and when it’s better to listen. He sees what people need the way I do.
I like who I am with him.
I’ve always wanted to be someone different, someone who could talk to cute boys and race around in a yellow boat.”
“I like the person you are. I wouldn’t change a thing.” “No edits?” “Not a single one.”
There’s a lightness to you I haven’t seen in a long time—like you have the freedom to just be when you’re with him.”
“No, it’s because when you speak, he listens. When you smile, he smiles. When you need something, he offers help. When you give him something, he thanks you. You’re peas and carrots—I think you’ve found yourself a lifelong friend.”
He holds my gaze in a way that tells me how much I matter.
“I’m not a very good person, Alice. I’ve made more mistakes than most.” He takes a deep breath, then says quietly, “Sometimes I wonder if I’ve ever done anything good in my entire life.” “This is good,”
Because for once in my life, I don’t feel like I’m on the sidelines. For once, I’m in the photo.
“You’ve flourished this summer.” My eyebrows rise. “I’ve done nothing all summer.” Nan gives her head a sharp shake. “You’ve been tremendously happy.”
“Well, you can try all you like, Alice, but I expect it will be next to impossible. You feel things deeply. You always have.” I wipe my cheek. “I hate that about me.” Her laugh is kind. “It’s one of your best qualities.
“Of course we came,” Lavinia says. “You asked us to.” “And you never ask, Ali,”
“You know, you were such an independent child. I was so busy with the twins and putting out Heather’s fires, and when I think back, I know I missed when you needed extra support.”
“I see the incredible woman you’ve become, but that doesn’t mean you don’t need help.
