, but he's like a big brother to me.

on the steering wheel. "Sorry," she said, a smile pulling at

ck flick of her fingers. "I've got a spare change of clothes there, so I'll slip in.

kly. Water flicked off in little arcs onto the floor of the car, but Norah didn't mind. Olivia

em toward the passenger seat. A gust of

anks," she said. "So, are

for a month or so. I'm staying at a

es' house. It's the only v

have to get the keys from a man named..." Her hand brushed over a few

ards?" Oli

k. "I might have to wait until tomorrow th

e. We'll stop there on the way

e twenty minutes-less, really-and yet Olivia spoke and moved like

er again. "Of course! It won't take long and I'm sure you mu

ew d

back against the seat, her voice full of ea

ds carefully. She didn't want to lie, not really

es lighting up. "Wendy will get a

en

in France or something." Olivia pointed ahead, where the edge of town was just starting to show through the t

y do freelance stuff-articles, ghostwriting, that sort of thi

who actually writes is already way ahead of ninet

ut expectation, was rare. She could already feel herself relaxing, the tight

ike someone had considered updating it and never bothered. The trees gave way to houses-quaint,

and Norah followed Olivia's dir

h in a little rhythm. "It's slow, yeah, and everyone knows everyone, but

id automatically, then hesit

hat made perfect sense. "Well, if you ever want someone to talk to-or complain to-I'm usua

ot

to it-no big-box stores, no aggressive neon signs. Just small shops with hand-painted windows, brick facades

porch and a string of lights that flickered lazily in the wind. "Jack's pla

ard neat but scattered with toys and a rusting wheelbarrow. She got out, the air colder than

ed inside. She glanced toward the front window, caught a bri

?" Olivi

t '

fé then. I could use somet

hrill again-the same one she'd felt when she made the decision to leave. Something about being here felt r

a moment, "I think this plac

r at her, surpri

," Olivia said, nodding as i

e l

one who's ready

aught in her chest. It wasn't a bad f

squat building with wide windows glowing from the inside, people silhouetted in laughter and warmth. M

r the ride

for the

nk before disappearing through the café's front door, towe

ld. Then, slowly, she started the car again and turned toward the beach r

w, she'

she'd jus