Page 144 of Alice Chen's Reality Check

I take the flowers and breathe deeply—and I’m transported back to the island and those early days of our time together.

“It’s gorgeous,” I say, as Cindy and Tara snap pictures. “But if you thought I was going to let you win this round so easily, you’re dead wrong.”

Everyone chuckles as I run to the freezer and pull out my secret weapon. “Smoothie popsicles for dessert!” I announce. “Based on the famous slash infamous smoothies the production crew made for us.”

Daniel and I clink pops and take our first licks together. They taste just like the smoothies Leah would bring us. The sharp sweetness of pineapple contrasts with the mellow coconut. And yes, there’s just a little rum.

Cindy airdrops me the pictures and I text a photo of the popsicles to Lex.

ALICE

thinking of old times on the island!

LEX

Stop texting this number.

ALICE

come on i know you love me!!!

LEX

LOL You two look good.

ALICE

and you?? what are you up to?

Lex shoots back a selfie. They’re underwater in a shark cage, with a great white shark swimming by. After everything that happened on the set, Lex decided to do something safer than reality TV—a documentary about great white sharks.

After we finish eating, my mom gives each of us a hug before she turns in for the night.

“Leave the dishes. You two better be getting about your night,” she says to Daniel.

My mom is nearing the end of her cancer treatments, and all signs point toward remission, but I don’t want to take any chances with her health when it seems so fragile. And I have time now, and money—enough to take care of us both.

“Go to sleep, Mom,” I say, shooing her to her room.

My momtsks at me, but between Cindy, Tara, Daniel, and me, it’s only ten minutes of work, and then we lock up my mom’s place.

“You kids be good,” Cindy sings as she and Tara hop in her car.

We wave as they drive off, and then I turn to Daniel.

“Race you home,” Daniel challenges me.

“You’re faster than I am,” I protest.

“Why would I challenge you if I didn’t know I could win?” He smirks. “I’ll give you a prize if you beat me.”

Heisfaster than I am, but I know the streets better. And I can’t resist trying. Without giving him any warning, I break into a sprint.

“Hey!” he shouts, racing to catch up.

My laughter floats behind me as I duck around corners and cut through an alley. I leap over the uneven steps where I skinned my knee as a kid. I hop over a half fence that guards a coffee shop’s back patio.

He follows my path, but he doesn’t know exactly where I’m going, so he can’t get ahead of me.

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