Page 11 of The Comeback Summer

But it’s too late now. Hannah and I are in the conference room, sitting opposite Lou, who looks sharp in a pink blazer and matching lipstick.

“Ladies,” Lou says, “I’ve run y’all’s answers through my system, and I’m so excited to share the results.”

Her eyes twinkle and my stomach tightens. I wonder what happened to Lou in her childhood that made her get such joy out of making people uncomfortable.

“Hannah, should we start with you?” Lou asks.

Hannah sucks in a quick breath, and I feel guilty enjoying this brief stay of execution, but not guilty enough to volunteer to go first.

“Based on your results,” Lou tells my sister, “you have great physical strength and endurance. You push yourself physically and aren’t afraid to go the extra mile.”

Her words are true: my sister never breaks a sweat when we walk back from the grocery store, even when she’s carrying both our cases of LaCroix—Pamplemousse for me, Cerise Limón for her.

“You enjoy a good physical challenge, and you excel at mental challenges as well,” Lou says. “Your mind has an uncanny ability to analyze data and break it down, seeing patterns and making connections. It’s probably why you’ve got a penchant for true crime—if I had to guess, you solve the mystery before most people.”

Again, it’s accurate. When we readVerityfor a book club, Hannah figured out the twist a good forty pages early.

“You tend to see the world in black and white,” Lou says, glancing down at her folder. “And shades of gray make you feel out of sorts. You have introverted tendencies—”

I stifle a laugh at the obviousness of this statement, and Hannah shoots me a dirty look.

“You keep your emotions close to your chest,” Lou continues. “It takes a lot for new people to get past the walls you put up. It’s for your protection, but it also keeps people out.”

I look at my sister, who is sitting up straight, her fingers nervously twitching in her lap.

“Since you excel in areas of mental and physical strength, there’s room for improvement with the other two categories: social and emotional. It feels safer to avoid connecting with other people, but it’s holding you back. Does that sound about right?”

Hannah nods ever so slightly, and Lou offers a sympathetic smile as she says, “To crush that comfort zone, your challenge will focus on interpersonal strength. You’re single, correct?”

“She is,” I say, answering for Hannah when she doesn’t do it fast enough.

“Perfect.” Lou rubs her hands together like she can’t waitfor what’s next. “In this challenge, you will go on twelve first dates over the next twelve weeks.”

My face lights up as Hannah’s falls. There’s nothing I love more than love, and I’ve been telling Hannah for years that she needs to dive back into the dating pool—although for Hannah, it might feel more like a belly flop.

“You want me to date twelve men?” Hannah asks, dumbfounded.

“Not all at the same time,” Lou says, giving a musical laugh. “I’d suggest one date a week.”

“But...” Hannah says, and I can see her mind spinning as she tries to find the words to get herself out of this pickle. I resist my big-sister urge to save her, because I agree; this could be just what she needs.

“But feminism,” Hannah finally says. “A woman doesn’t need a man to complete her life.”

“I’m all for independent women,” Lou says. “But this isn’t about the other person, the man—or woman, if that’s what floats your boat. It’s about opening yourself to new people and possibilities. Knock those walls down, darlin’.”

Hannah looks at me, her eyes pleading for me to say something. So I do.

“She’s in.”

Beneath the table, Hannah tweaks the rolls on my side. I slap her hand away, keeping a smile on my face as Lou tells Hannah the details of her challenge, which isn’t so bad.

I know my sister would love to be in a relationship again. But like Lou said, she’s built a barricade around herself. Hannah has kept her heart under lock and key ever since that Jackass Who Shall Not Be Named abandoned her five years ago.

She’s gone on a handful of dates since then, and there was one guy from her running club who stuck around for a few months, but none of those other men could offer her what she had with her ex: history.

I’ve tried to tell her a connection like that takes time, but deep down, I know she’s afraid to get hurt again.

This could be the push she needs. Her chance to fall in love with someone tall and handsome and kind who treats her the way she deserves.

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