The Charm Offensive

by Alison Cochrun

Charlie nudges his shoulder against Dev’s and leaves it there. It’s knees under the Junipers table; it’s shaking hands on night one.

“I mean it, Charlie. I don’t like you despite some of your characteristics,” Dev says, and it feels like he’s talking to himself as much as Charlie, like the words are caught in an echo chamber made for two. “I like all of you.

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