Page 131 of The Lost Book of First Loves

June didn’t know what to say. Was Ali looking toward her for advice? She had never been great at giving other people romantic advice, probably because she was so lousy at relationships herself.

“With Xander?”

Ali nodded miserably. “We kissed when we went on our camping trip. It was... amazing.”

“That sounds promising.”

“I don’t know. We’ve been friends since we were kids and I’ve been careful never to blur any lines. Xander is too important to me. My best friend. I can’t screw it up.”

“If he kissed you, maybe he’s looking for more.”

“He told me he had a thing for me in high school and everybody knew except me. And when I was helping him clear out his room, he had a photo album filled with pictures of me.”

That sounded like a clear case of mutual attraction to June.

“So maybe you are the only one who cares about not mixing your friendship with romance.”

Ali rubbed at her temples. “Maybe. I don’t know. What should I do?”

“If you are looking for fabulous advice in this area, you chose the wrong older sister. I have a lousy track record with men. I’ve only had a few relationships that lasted longer than a month or two.”

“Beck likes you, though.”

June tensed. She didnotwant to talk about Beckett right now. Especially as she hadn’t seen any sign of him or his dog since she had pushed him away.

She didn’t want to admit, even to herself, how much she had missed them both.

“He’s been very kind to me.”

“I get a definite vibe there’s more to it. I think it’s wonderful. You two are perfect for each other. Beck hasn’t dated anyone since he came to Bridger Peak. It’s about time he found someone fantastic and I would be so happy if that someone was you.”

“It’s not,” she said bluntly. “I’m going back to Seattle this week. End of story.”

Ali looked as if she wanted to argue, but something in June’s expression must have caused her to reconsider, much to June’s relief.

“Is Mr. Greene sending a plane for you?”

“That’s the plan.”

When she had told Adam she was going to catch a commercial flight back from Jackson, he had insisted on sending one of the Move Inc planes for her. It felt unnecessary and uncomfortably pretentious to June, not to mention raising her personal carbon footprint far higher than she wanted.

“I can give you a ride to the airport, then. I may have to rearrange my schedule at the bookstore, but I’ll make it work. Grandma will make sure of it.”

“Thank you. I would appreciate that.”

She hadn’t been sure how she would get to the airport. She could never have asked Beck, certainly.

“We have to plan a time when you can come back to The Painted Sky. I insist on it.”

“I will,” she promised. “And you are welcome anytime you want to visit Seattle, too.”

She meant the words completely. Alison had saved her life. For that alone, June would have maintained a connection with her. But she was her half sister, too, a relationship June intended to cherish.

She might not be great at doling out sisterly advice, but she had a huge penthouse in Seattle with plenty of room for visitors.

Chapter 45

Alison

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