Page 27 of The Library on Plum Island
“Yup,” Dawn nodded. “I was at the same party they were when they met up again.”
Two pairs of relentlessly curious eyes pinned Alex.
“If you want us to help you win her heart and become a better person,” Dawn bargained, “you’ll have to tell us who this angel is.”
“What Dawn said,” Harriet backed up their friend.
“Can you just help me because I asked nicely, and I’m here all… what’s that word…” Alex clicked his fingers.
“Sick and pasty?” Dawn added with a smug smile.
“All sad and icky?” Harriet teased.
“Vulnerable!” Alex hissed, shaking his head. “You know what, forget it.” He started to get ready to leave. “I’ll figure this out on my own.”
“No! Alex, wait,” Harriet stopped him.
“Please sit,” Dawn said, her voice soft and filled with compassion. “We’re sorry we teased you, but it was just too good to pass up.”
“Okay, I admit I ran into that one with slap me written all over my face,” Alex admitted.
“Exactly.” Harriet indicated with her hands. “And besides, when did you get so sensitive?” Her eyes widened once again as realization dawned on her. “You like this woman more than just a bit, don’t you?”
“I do.” Alex nodded. It felt good to finally admit it out loud. “The moment I saw her, I fell for her.”
Something flashed in Harriet’s eyes, but it was gone before Alex could decipher it.
“Alex, that’s…” Dawn’s words trailed off, and she shook her head. “I’m not sure what to say to that.” She looked at him. “On the one hand, I’m so happy that you’ve finally opened up your heart, but on the other hand, I’m weary for both you and the woman you’ve fallen for.”
“I’m with Dawn on this one,” Harriet told him. “I want to help you, Alex.” She glanced at Dawn who nodded. “We both do. But what if you can’t change and you end up making an Alex-sized mess of things. Then Dawn and I are partly to blame for one, maybe two broken hearts.”
“Opening up to love means you’re also opening up to getting hurt,” Alex said, noticing Harriet’s surprise as she realized he was throwing her own words from thirty years ago back at her. “People can let you down in so many ways. They might leave, lie, cheat, or even worse, they might pass away. Trying to dodge heartache is like trying to avoid breathing—it’s just part of life. But here’s the thing, even knowing all that, love gives us a reason to get out of bed in the morning. It makes all the risks worth it. Waking up every day with love in your life? That’s something special. It means you’ve got something, or someone, making all those potential heartaches worth facing. It’s what makes life bright and worth living, no matter the risks.”
“Wow!” Dawn’s eyes widened. “Can I use that?”
“Sure!” Alex smiled at Dawn.
“Shouldn’tIbe giving Dawn permission to usemywords?“ Harriet looked impressed. “Granted, they were excellent words.”
“I’ll take that as a yes,” Dawn said, looking at Alex. “I’ll need you to write them down for me later.”
Alex nodded. “I’m glad you remember those words,” he told her. “I thought I would never feel that way about anyone again, and admittedly, I need to smooth out my rough edges. It’s like Dawn always says: Everyone deserves a chance at love.” He shrugged. “Even me.”
“Fine, I’ll help you!” Harriet caved and glanced at Dawn. “But you’re helping too, right?” She glanced at Alex. “There’s no way I can straighten this mess out on my own.”
“Thanks?” Alex gestured with his hands, hiding an excited smile.
“I’ll help,” Dawn said, her eyes narrowing as she gave Alex a sideways stare. “But we need to know whose heart we’re grooming you to win.” She raised an eyebrow. “Knowing who it is will help us to help you.”
“Nice!” Harriet high-fived Dawned.
“I’ll tell you, but first, you both have to promise to help me regardless of who it is,” Alex demanded. “I can’t tell you, and then you back out.”
“It’s not one of us, is it?” Harriet asked him suspiciously.
“No!” Alex shook his head.
“But it’s someone we know, right?” Dawn guessed.
