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Ali sat up straight in the driver’s seat, looking stricken. Time passed in a blur after their food arrived. Their conversation flowed with such ease they sat there for hours, until the restaurant began closing. The conversation continued in the car.

“Wait! I have a very important question. When is your birthday?”

A laugh bubbled out of Charlotte.

“I was expecting something far more serious. It’s December twenty-second. When’s yours?”

All the light winked out of Ali’s eyes.

“October sixteenth.”

Charlotte cocked her head. “Do you not like your birthday?”

“It’s... complicated. And not fake first date material. Ask me again in a few weeks.”

Ali avoided eye contact as she pulled up to the front of the house, her thumb tapping a little rhythmic beat against the shift.

Tap, tap, tap, tap. Pause…

Charlotte thought about what she said about her roots and all the moves in the last decade. Birthdays were made special by those around you. By family and friends. Something Charlotte began to understand Ali didn’t have.

Charlotte changed the subject as Ali put the car in park.

“The wedding is October twenty-second. Remind me to send you the schedule of the events tomorrow.”

“I can do that,” Ali murmured.

She hopped out, rounding the car to open Charlotte’s door. That spark of loneliness was back in her warm brown eyes.

Charlotte couldn’t stand it.

Unfolding herself from the passenger seat a rare moment of impulse took over and she swept Ali into a hug before she could step back. Ali stiffened for a moment, a soft surprise gasp escaping as her chin came to rest on Charlotte’s taller shoulder.

For a fraction of a second, Charlotte thought she overstepped. But then Ali melted. Her arms shot around Charlotte’s waist with lightning speed, holding on so tight, as if she was afraid Charlotte might vanish if she let go.

Charlotte hardly ever touched anyone outside of her family for more than a handshake or a pat on the back. She braced for the discomfort she always felt having someone pressed so close. But it never came. Instead, Ali’s warmth seeped in, her cheek nestled naturally along Charlotte’s jaw, her body snug against Charlotte’s like they were made to fit.

The faint smell of paint lingered on Ali’s skin, clinging to her overalls beneath the fresh herbal blend of whatever hair products she used. It made Charlotte’s chest swell.

“I had a wonderful time. Thank you for agreeing to do this.”

Ali clung to her in a way Charlotte hadn’t expected. Her reply was soft. So soft Charlotte would have missed it had they not been wound so tight, warmth threading between them.

“I had a great time too. This whole thing really might be fun.”

Charlotte held on for a little longer, wondering when Ali was last hugged like this. A few hushed moments passed before Charlotte pulled back. She pressed an affectionate kiss to her cheek and felt Ali melt a little more.

“I’ll text you tomorrow to arrange the day.”

“Sounds good,” Ali said, her smile returning, bright and warm. “Goodnight, my moon! Have pleasant dreams.”

Humor tugged at her lips as she brushed some hair behind her ear. Their playful use of the pet names was becoming quite the amusing little game. “Goodnight, Sunflower. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

She made her way up the walkway, to her porch where she looked back to find red taillights growing smaller as the car reached the end of the driveway.

The day went better than Charlotte expected. Ali was exactly as genuine as she hoped, her spirit intact despite everything that should have worn it down. Charlotte learned more than she anticipated, and still found herself wanting more. Tomorrow, perhaps, would offer it.

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