One Golden Summer(22)

I whip my head in Nan’s direction. I didn’t know that.

“People change.” She keeps her eyes set on Charlie as he sips his tea. He hasn’t touched the cake. “Now tell me, what are you doing to keep yourself busy this summer? I imagine a man like you would get bored quickly.”

“I don’t really believe in boredom,” he says. “I know a lot of people in Barry’s Bay. I’ve got my boat. The Jet Ski. I have some projects to do around here for John. And I’m building a tree house.”

“A tree house? Do you have children?” Nan asks.

Charlie shakes his head. “My brother and sister-in-law are expecting their first in October, two days before my birthday.” His voice has gone soft. “I’m throwing them a big party next month. My take on a baby shower. The tree house is my gift.” His voice catches, and he blinks, caught off guard by his emotions.

I jump in quickly, trying to ease what’s just come up for him. “What newborn baby doesn’t love climbing ladders?”

“Alice,” Nan chides. “It’s a nice thought.”

But Charlie looks at me, like I somehow knew he would, eyes glimmering as if he’s ready to play. “I thought I’d stick a bassinet inside, so the baby doesn’t disturb my sleep. I might need some help getting it up there, though. You game?”

“I’m in. We should add a rocking chair, too. That way your brother and sister-in-law will be comfortable.”

“Genius,” he says. “They don’t need proper shelter.”

“Or running water.”

Charlie chuckles, and his eyes fall to my mouth and pause there. It’s because I’m smiling, I realize. A big, toothy grin that pulls at my cheeks. He suddenly gets to his feet.

“I should probably head out. Thank you for the tea. I’ll bring those end tables to you tomorrow,” he tells Nan. “I’ll leave my number in case you ever need anything when Alice isn’t around.”

“Speaking of,” Nan says with a devious smile. “We’re celebrating Alice’s birthday next week. July 1. Her brother and sister will be here. Why don’t you join us for dinner?”



* * *





“You don’t have to come,” I say to Charlie as I walk him down to the dock. “It’s just going to be a little party, but my siblings are a lot.”

“I like a lot.”

“There’ll be feather boas and tiaras and glitter,” I say. I have a vision for the night, and Charlie doesn’t fit into it.

“That’s good news,” he says, coming to a stop on the dock. “I look fantastic in a tiara.”

“But it’s Canada Day,” I say. “You probably have plans.”

Green eyes bore into mine. “If you don’t want me to come, Alice, just say so.”

I chew on the inside of my mouth. I don’t know what I’m going to get with Charlie. He’s like the mystery roll of film I once discovered under the lining of my bag. I had no idea what I’d find on it.

He sticks out his hand.

“What are you doing?”

“I get the sense I haven’t made a good first impression, so let’s start over. I’m Charlie Florek.”

I frown, and he beams back at me.

“And you are…” he prompts.

“I’m Alice Everly?” I say, putting my palm in his.

Charlie squeezes it firmly, giving it a shake. His smile draws out his dimples. “And you are Alice Everly.”

Alice Everly. Alice Everly. Alice Everly.

I should pull my hand away, but for some reason, I don’t. I let him hold my small hand in his large one.

“Rumor has it that you’re throwing a big party on Canada Day, Alice. The whole lake is talking about it.”

I think of the boy in my photo, and the girl who wanted to hang out with him. I think of the way Charlie made Nan giggle.

“You should come,” I tell him. “I think I can put up with you for an evening.”

Charlie smiles, and it’s so genuine I struggle not to do the same.

“Don’t look too happy,” I tell him. “You’ll have to wear your own shirt.”

“No guarantees.”

He drops my hand, and mine feels so much colder. Charlie steps into the boat with grace, pulls the T-shirt over his head, and tosses it to me. “Wear it to bed, Alice. Picture me in your dreams.”

I wrinkle my nose, but it only makes him laugh.

“You’re…” I don’t even know what he is.

“Remarkable?” He throws me a grin, then unties the boat. He gets it started and then pulls away, his back to me, the sun caressing his skin.

“Oh, and, Alice?” he calls, looking over his shoulder. “About that list of yours. Consider number three your birthday gift.”

I don’t remember what number three is, but I know I should be embarrassed that he does. I stare at Charlie’s yellow boat as it soars across the bay, clutching a shirt that smells like summer.





12




Read a smutty book. Number three.

Of all the people to have seen my silly list, it had to be Charlie. I throw my notebook onto the bed and pick up the Barry’s Bay T-shirt to take it to the laundry. I lift it to my nose without really thinking, and Nan catches me.