“You haven’t?” Ginny asked.

“My mom was pretty snobby. Thought we were above things like that. It wasn’t proper.”

Faith connected with Lacey in that minute, a bond of sorts forming. “I haven’t been to a sleepover either. My sister was the one with all the friends growing up. I never got invited to any parties.”

“Well,” Lacey said, tilting her head. “Guess it’s a first for us then. It really is the best sleepover ever. Cole has a ton of movies in his collection for us to choose from. Plus, I brought my cosmetics bag. We can do makeovers.”

Oh boy.

Ginny bounced and clapped. “Me first.”

“You got it.”

They settled on the living room floor with blankets and pillows. High School Musical—Ginny’s choice—played on the huge flat screen while they stuffed their faces with cupcakes and lemon bars and popcorn.

Faith had never had such an overdose of sugar in her life. She was always so careful what she ate that she decided she was going to let herself go just for tonight. She was young and healthy and it was silly to be so overcautious just because her parents were. Her parents had good reasons, with Hope’s illness and needing a lot from Faith to keep her treatments going, but Hope had been dead ten years now. It was probably time to let her go. It didn’t mean Faith had to forget her, right? Just move on.

The movie ended at the same time Faith’s margarita cup emptied. Huh. When did that happen? She was feeling a little light-headed.

Lacey pulled out a bagful of cosmetics and got to work on Ginny’s makeover. While they were busy, Faith cleaned up some of the wrappers and changed movies. Deciding she’d had enough tequila, she brought out bottled water from the fridge for everyone.

“So,” Lacey said, applying lipstick on Ginny. “Mia loves Cole. I love Jake. Is there romance brewing for Faith and Alec? Whatcha think, Ginny?”

“Yeah!”

Faith tucked her feet under her and sat on the couch. “It’s pretty new, guys. Besides, Alec lives in New York. I think it’s just going to be a summer thing.”

“Are you okay with that?”

“Not much choice.” She shrugged. “It is what it is. May as well enjoy it while he’s here.”

It had taken all her courage to reach out and ask for what she wanted from Alec. She had no idea how to go about fully living. She’d simply seized the opportunity. Later, she’d probably think it was insane, but for now, he made her heart pound and her body want. Her response to him every time he was near reminded her she was alive.

Lacey nodded. “I see your point. I don’t know if I could do that, though. I get attached—at least I do when I’m interested. I think I knew I loved Jake after our first date.”

“Did he kiss you?” Ginny asked.

“Yes. He’s a really great kisser.” She brushed her hands together. “You, my dear, are done. You look beautiful.”

“I do?”

Faith nodded. Lacey hadn’t done much, just a hint of blush, gloss, and shadow, like she’d done for Faith last night for her date with Alec. “You do look very pretty.”

“I’m going to go see.” Ginny ran off down the hall to the bathroom.

“I’m sorry about Alec. I didn’t realize it wasn’t serious.”

Faith smiled. “It’s okay. I don’t mind talking about it. It’s just . . . I’ve never had close girlfriends before. Been a long time since a guy was interested, too. I’m not sure what I’m supposed to do.”

From her spot on the floor, Lacey propped her elbow on the cushion and tugged on her earlobe. “Before Mia came back to Wilmington, I didn’t have anyone. I was on committees and in clubs, but no one I could talk to like this, you know?”

Faith nodded. “I know. Not the committees part, but alone I understand.”

Ginny came back in the room. Lacey took some pictures on her phone and texted them to Mia. They gathered for a group selfie before getting comfy to watch Grease. Ginny fell asleep halfway through the movie, so Faith went to brush her teeth and made sure the alarm was set before turning off the lamps. Propping her head on a pillow, she tuned back into the movie.

Lacey brought her blanket and pillow up on the couch and lay down on the other side. “Can I ask you something?”

Faith turned down the volume. “Sure.”

“When my brother Dean died in that car crash, it was so sudden. One day he was here, the next he was gone. With your sister being sick for so long, was it better to have the chance to say good-bye?”

Wow. Faith had never thought of it like that. She envisioned Hope healthy and young and suddenly being taken from her. “I suppose, in a way, it was easier. We knew the end was looming and we got to say good-bye, but watching her slowly fade, getting sicker and sicker, was awful. I can’t imagine not having the opportunity to tell her one last time how much I loved her. How did you deal with losing Dean?”

Lacey blew out a breath. “I guess I didn’t. Cole held me that day and stuck by my side through the funeral, but he blamed himself for Dean’s accident and went on a downward spiral for ten years. Until Mia came back, anyway.”

Faith had read Cole’s memoir and knew much of this story already. Connecting these people with the characters in the book was strangely eye-opening.

“Faith?”

She turned her head to better see Lacey.

“Will you be one of my bridesmaids?”

Faith stilled. Lacey held her gaze in the dark. Only the flickers of light from the movie illuminated her face. Faith didn’t see any signs of teasing, but then again, she’d always been naive. “Really?”

“Really. In the few weeks you’ve been here, I’ve grown closer to you than most people I’ve known all my life.”

A lump formed in Faith’s throat and hot tears pressed behind her lids. This is what it felt like to have friends. Bittersweet and comforting and complete. How did she go on this long without them?

“I would be honored.”

chapter

thirteen

A week later, a tan Mia and Cole had returned from their honeymoon, glowing and happy. Faith was glad to have them back. Not that she hadn’t enjoyed her private time with Ginny, but with everything happening as of late, she hadn’t had much time to herself.

Everything was all so new and a bit overwhelming. She wasn’t used to friends and attention. It took some time to adjust to these changes in her life. Add in her developing relationship with Alec, and her head was reeling.

She and Lacey had spent a lot of time together the past two weeks, talking about everything from centerpieces for the wedding to childhood memories. Lacey had even dragged her and Ginny to the salon for a haircut and pampering. Unlike her parents, Lacey and Alec didn’t mind her talking about Hope. In fact, Lacey often brought up her own brother Dean and her bittersweet memories of him. It was oddly comforting to have someone with whom she shared such a deep loss, someone who understood the pain.

Alec had divided his time between writing and popping by the house—usually around midday—to see what was happening with her. But he hadn’t made any romantic gestures or attempted to touch her since their date. It left a hollow sensation inside her chest. They hadn’t even been dating a week and it felt like he was distancing himself. Then again, Ginny was always around and there wasn’t much time to be alone.

Faith sipped her chamomile tea and stared out the window. She’d been attempting to settle down and sleep for two hours to no avail. Restless energy crawled under her skin, made her twitch. She needed to shake the uncomfortable feeling, so she paced in the dim kitchen and tried to clear her mind. Closing her eyes, she breathed deep and counted to ten.

The feeling was still there. Shaking her head, she set the tea on the counter and made her way outside. She walked past the deck and the dunes just beyond it, and settled near the shore, squishing her toes in the sand. Letting the roar of the ocean surround her, she breathed in the humid saltwater scent and smiled.