Page 17 of All We Need

Of course her name is sexy.

I bet it would sound just as good coming from my mouth.

You look pretty today,Alessandra.

Why don’t you like my dimples,Alessandra?

Get on your knees,Alessandra.

Yeah, it definitely has a ring to it.

I recall her comment about her stay here being short term.

How long is short?Longenough for me to get on her good side?

IfIallowed myself to think rationally,I’dreason with myself that this is ridiculous.ThatI’mwasting my time.

Suddenly a crash sounds from the front of the kitchen, followed by a flourish of “Fucks.”

I peek my head around the corner to findKylesurrounded by cooking oil.

I absolutely do not have the time.

ButI’venever been one to turn down a challenge.

“PhoneBooth,your hair is way too lame for you to have so many styling products.”

“You fucking take that back.”Mycry of protest meets my sister’s cackles. “Andcut it out with that dumb nickname.”

Florence tagged along afterImoved out of my mom’s this evening—somethingInow regret.

Sitting on the water’s edge, my little boathouse overlooks the bay, with the ocean breeze cutting through the air and whistling against the navy blue panels.Mygrandfather left it to my dad, who then passed it to me and my siblings, and we all decided it was a good place for me to live after college.It’sastone’s throw away from the restaurant, rent-free, and personally,Ithink it has the best view in the whole town.

A “house” is being rather generous—it’s basically one big room, with a kitchen and tiny bathroom.There’senough space for a king-size bed, sofa, and an eighty-five-inchTV.Richmahogany floorboards and off-white paneled walls have spruced the small space up.Thelower, outside level is full of old fishing gear and our family’s fishing boat, while my level is elevated by reinforced stilts.

It’s cold as balls this time of year, even with the extra insulationDexinstalled.Ifthe winters ever get too harsh, he lets me crash at one of his cabins orIstay with my family.

“Do you still wear your retainer?”Florencehollers from the bathroom.

“Get out of my things!”

She struts in, blonde bob bouncing with her steps.

“Ew.”Florenceshudders. “Pleasetake off those vile shorts.”

I glance down, frowning. “Theladies love it.”

Like me and my brothers,Florenceis tall.Oncea gangly kid, she eventually grew into her long limbs.Aseptum piercing decorates her nose, along with an array of necklaces and rings around her neck and fingers.

I finish putting away the groceries my mom shoved in my arms beforeIleft and pull out two beers, offering one toFlo.Twistingthe caps off, we collapse onto the tan chesterfield.

“How long are you planning to stay withMom?”Iask before taking a long pull of beer.

She blows over the lip of her bottle, creating a tuneless melody. “Howlong is a piece of string?Toolong and we butt heads.Ineed a job, though…”

“We have some casual shifts going at the restaurant?”

She grimaces, making me laugh.

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