6. CHAPTER 6
The first rays of the sun painted the sky in a palette of pink and orange hues, casting a gentle light over the sea. Alex found himself on the balcony of the main living room, a glass of freshly squeezed juice in his hand, its coolness a contrast to the warmth beginning to envelop the day. Despite the splint immobilizing his slightly throbbing hand and a mild headache, he couldn’t help but savor the tranquility of the moment. Yet, beneath the calm exterior, his thoughts were tumultuous, constantly drifting back to Daniella. Alex had known he was in trouble the moment he’d first seen Daniella. In fact, he’d been trying for longer than he cared to remember to get her out of his mind.
Just when he thought he had, fate had decided to throw him in her path, and the moment he’d seen her again, Alex had known she was in his thoughts to stay. The past year had been torture for him, being so close to her but so far apart. He’d tried to keep his distance, but in hindsight, becoming best friends with her cousin, Harley, probably wasn’t the best way to do that. Especially when Daniella and Harley were a lot more like brothers and sisters than cousins. Every party of Alex’s that Daniella had attended with Harley had pulled Alex deeper and deeper under her spell. The irony about that was Daniella didn’t even realize she’d cast a spell over him.
Alex had even tried a more serious relationship to keep himself at arm’s length, but that was a terrible mistake. Wow! Not only had that relationship nearly destroyed his relationship with his parents, but it had turned into a nightmare—one that kept reoccurring just when he thought it was gone for good. His mother and siblings thought his father had sent him back to Plum Island and clipped his wings as a punishment. Alex shuddered. They’d be horrified if they knew the truth of the situation. Thank goodness for his father, Alex thought. Not that he wanted to burden his father with it, especially because of the heart condition.
His father’s voice echoed through his mind: Remember, we can’t help you if you don’t tell us the truth.
No matter how much trouble Alex was in or how daunting the situation was, he’d always tell them the truth. It always paid off because the one thing Alex was always sure of in life was the support of his family, especially his parents and, in this last situation, his father. While his father quietly investigated things in the background to the rest of the world and Alex’s family, he was on Plum Island with his wings cut, or he’d be cut off. A ruse to appease the people Alex’s father was investigating. The pang of guilt sliced through him once again when he thought of the parallels between his and Daniella’s lives.
“If anything happens between us, I make a promise to myself here and now that I’ll tell her the truth about our first meeting,“ Alex made a promise to the breaking day as the morning light continued to weave its golden threads across the sky.
The sea below crashed onto the rocks as if sealing Alex’s promise in stone. Still, guilt sliced through his heart, and he stubbornly pushed it aside as his conscience warned him: The truth may bring pain to either party, but it builds a stronger foundation to build on than the shaky uncertainty of a lie.
“We don’t have anything to build on yet.” Alex sipped his juice.
His solitude was interrupted when Harriet stepped onto the balcony, her surprise at finding him up and about so early evident in her raised eyebrows.
“Well, look what the morning dragged out here. I thought you’d be holed up in your room for another day at least,” she remarked, a glass of juice in her hand.
Alex gave her a wry smile. “I think I’ve slept enough to last me through the winter. Besides,” he gestured towards the horizon, “I didn’t want to miss this.”
Harriet sighed, glancing out over the tapestry of colors from the early morning light sparkling across the glittering sea. The fresh, early morning sea breeze wafted over her.
“I know.” She glanced at him, setting her glass on the table in front of them before taking a seat. “I remember we were always the first two awake at the beach house when we were kids.”
“The early morning dawn show.” Alex laughed. “I remember Dawn didn’t like that name.”
“No, she didn’t.” Harriet grinned. “Dawn wanted us to call it the early morning rising sun show.”
“It never rolled off the tongue quite like the early morning dawn show,” Alex said. “But we’d lie and pretend we’d changed the name.”
“It was worth it to make our friend happy,” Harriet told him.
“We were a united front then,” Alex remembered and looked at his lifelong friend.
“Alex and Harry, the dynamic duo.” Harriet picked up her juice and raised it in a salute. “Here’s to those crazy kids and the early morning dawn show.”
Alex raised his glass in salute of their younger years before turning to her. “Thank you, Harry.”
“For what?” Harriet’s brows furrowed as she looked at him suspiciously.
“For being here and taking care of me over these past few days,” Alex told her.
“Of course,” she replied. “That’s what friends do.”
As they sat together in silence, watching the dawn’s gentle ascent, a sense of introspection enveloped Alex. The nostalgia of their conversation had left his heart constricted, with a tightness borne from the realization of how their once near inseparable friendship had drifted so apart. Over the years, despite Harriet’s constant presence in his life, an expansive chasm had formed between them. Alex felt that all that kept them together was a precarious bridge made from the threads of their shared history, intertwined lives, families, and friends.
Alex couldn’t help but question the current nature of their friendship. “Are we still friends though, Harry?” His voice was low.
Harriet’s startled eyes met his. “Of course we are,” she assured him.
“Are you sure?” Alex prodded. “Because for years, it’s felt like we moved from being best friends who knew each other so well to friends who were just in the background of each other’s lives.”
“Don’t be absurd, Alex,” Harriet chided. “We might not be joined at the hip like we were when we were growing up, but of course, we’re still friends.”
Alex couldn’t help but challenge this notion, reflecting on the turbulent waters their friendship had navigated over the years. “Just not as good friends as we used to be,” he countered, his tone light but carrying an undercurrent of unresolved feelings. “But you’re still as close to Ethan, Dawn, and Brad as you’ve always been. Maybe even more so.”
“Where is this coming from?” Harriet frowned at him. “Alex, I’ve always been there for you, even when you were at your worst. Especially then.”
“At my worst?” Alex raised his eyebrows questioningly.
“Alex, what is up with you?” Harriet dodged the question. “Did you hit your head on the way out here?”
“See.” Alex pointed at her as he put his glass on the table. “Instead of giving me a straight answer, you joke.”
Harriet shook her head. “Fine!” She put her glass on the table and turned toward him. “You want the truth?”
“My parents always say it’s the foundation that builds a relationship.” Alex shrugged.
“It can also be the nuclear bomb that destroys it,” Harriet warned him. “What you’re asking for now, I fear, is the nuclear option.”
“Then nuclear is it.” Alex resolved. “Why are we not as close as we once were, Harry?” He glanced out at the sea before looking at her again. “I mean, besides the obvious reason that is.”
Harriet drew in a breath and closed her eyes for a few seconds before looking at him. “Because you changed.” Her words hurtled toward him like a torpedo zooming in on its mark. “And I’m not just talking about growing up and your character developing, as we’ve all made some type of change, either.”
“Okay!” Alex fiddled with the glass on the table. “How do you think I’ve changed and become so deplorable that I get your biting sarcasm and disdain all the time.”
“Maybe because that’s the only way I can cope with our friendship these days because of who you’ve become,” Harriet answered truthfully. “Every time I’m with this Alex, my heart hurts, and I long for the pre-college Alex—the sweet, kind, caring Alex with a thirst for knowledge, a big heart, and a mischievous soul.” She glanced at the ocean. “The Alex I knew always had my back. The Alex I could trust with anything, no matter what.”
“He’s always been right here, Harriet,” Alex assured her.
She turned sad, tormented eyes toward him. “No, Alex, that Alex vanished when he became a FRAT boy, to be replaced by someone I don’t recognize. Someone who doesn’t care about how his words and actions impact others.”
“I see,” Alex said. The critique stung, not that he’d admit it, but because Alex knew there was truth to her words. Instead of agreeing with her, he found himself defending the person he’d become. “Well, Princess, life isn’t this sweet bed of roses you’d like to think it is. Life, much like a rose, is brimming with sharp, cruel thorns that can pierce one’s soul, tearing it out unexpectedly and without just cause. I learned long ago the necessity of shielding myself to avoid getting pricked.”
“Is that why you’re this self-centered jerk who has a new woman on his arm every few months?” Harriet asked in disgust. “Because you’d rather be the one causing the heartbreak than risk getting yours broken?” She shook her head. “You used to hate bullies, and yet you’re not far off from being one.”
“Now that’s not true!” Alex corrected her. “I’ve never bullied anyone.” He raised his eyebrows. “Nor do I intentionally hurt anyone. Every woman I’ve dated since college knows the score when we start dating. I’m always honest and upfront at the start of any relationship.”
“Except for the last one!” Harriet gave him a smug smile. “The way your ex-speaks about it, you walked out of your engagement party.”
“What?” Alex spluttered. “I’ve only ever asked one woman to marry me.” He saw Harriet’s eyes widen, and she shifted uncomfortably in her seat. “But she didn’t want me because, according to her, I was already broken. She wanted a prince.”
“Alex, that’s not fair,” Harriet’s voice was raspy. “Can you honestly say if you’d gotten married that young, the marriage would’ve lasted?”
“How could I possibly answer that question?” Alex’s eyes bore into hers, and he knew it was wrong. Still, he took a moment’s pleasure in watching Harriet squirm uncomfortably. “She was my first love, my best friend, and the only person I used to be able to picture growing old with. I don’t know how it would’ve turned out. No one does, nor can they surmise. Because, as you’ve just pointed out, people change. They evolve and adapt to their environment and circumstance.” He glanced at his empty glass. “When she left, she took my heart with her, leaving my soul an empty shell, just like this glass. Waiting for someone to fill it again.”
“No one said you were broken, Alex.” Harriet ignored his last comment and desperately tried to steer the conversation back onto the rails it seemed to be skidding off of.
“Really?” Alex looked at her skeptically. “Because it was definitely thrown into the conversation, which I remember word for word if you want me to reiterate it for you.”
“You and your blasted eidetic memory,” Harriet hissed. “And how did the conversation about you changing get turned around?” Her eyes narrowed. “Getting back on point.” She took a sip of juice, pausing for a few seconds. “I know my best friend is still inside you. I’ve seen glimpses of him over these past few days.” She looked pointedly at his injured hand. “You broke your hand saving Shay and Carly. Then you got an infection in it, saving a lost teenager.”
“Anyone would’ve done the same,” Alex pointed out.
“No, Alex.” Harriet shook her head. “When you put others first, you go all out with total disregard for yourself as long as the other person is okay.” She snorted. “Well, the old Alex, anyway.”
Alex and Harriet fell quiet as the sun continued to rise, and a flock of birds flew overhead. Alex found himself at a crossroads. Harriet’s words had hit home, and with everything she’d said, he knew he had just shut himself off from caring. A few months before Alex’s twentieth birthday, he’d gotten bacterial meningitis and had been in hospital for nearly a month. It was only after he recovered that he found out the woman he loved and had asked to marry him had gotten engaged to another man.
That had been the straw that broke the old Alex and created the new, tougher one determined not to let the world bring him down. He hadn’t just revamped who he used to be. He’d completely eliminated that person and built his character up from scratch. Everything he was, he became the complete opposite of and never looked back. An image of Daniella flashed through his mind, and he knew that if he was ever to win her trust, he’d need to revamp the person Harriet portrayed him to be. That is how he was portrayed to the world as well, and unfortunately, to Daniella.
He glanced at Harriet. Is she right? Is there still a glimmer of the old me buried deep inside me? An idea started to form as his brow creased in contemplation. If there was anyone who could help him find that old Alex and meld him with the good parts of who he’d become, it would be Harriet. She’d be able to help him become a better version of himself, and then maybe Alex would finally stand a chance with Daniella.
“Do you really believe there’s still a part of the old Alex left inside my jaded heart?” Alex broke the silence and Harriet turned her attention to him.
“If you’d asked me that four days ago, I’d have laughed,” Harriet answered him with all the brutal honesty he was accustomed to. “I probably would have replied no. If he was still inside, I don’t think there’d be any hope of getting a bit of him back. I’ve long since feared my best friend Alex had barricaded himself behind walls too high for anyone, including himself, to climb over!”
“And today?” Alex asked.
“I’d say there was still a bit of hope for him,” Harriet told him.
“Then help me, Harry.” Alex saw the surprise in her eyes. “Help me get those parts back and tone down this person I’ve become. Help me get to a point where I’m worthy of being your best friend again and …” He looked away, his voice dropped to barely a whisper. “Winning the heart of an angel.”
“What did you just say?” Harriet gaped at him in amazement.
“I asked you to help me change!” Alex’s voice filled with impatience.
He’d just asked his best friend for help and basically admitted he knew he’d been a douche all these years. And she was mocking him.
“I heard that part just fine.” Harriet waved his anger off, ignoring it. “I meant the last part.”
Alex let his head fall back, sighed, and looked at Harriet. “I think I like someone more than I have since I was twenty, but in order to even get her attention, I have to …”
“Stop being a douche?” Dawn’s voice startled them, and they turned to see her perched in a chair slightly behind them and blocking the sliding door.
“Dawn?” Alex and Harriet said in unison.
“Hi!” Dawn grinned, giving them a slight wave before picking raw granola from the bowl as if it were popcorn. “Don’t let me disturb you. This is good.”
“How long have you been sitting there?” Alex asked her.
“Long enough.” Dawn shrugged unabashed by her eavesdropping. “And to know that the mighty Alex Blackwell may have finally filled up his glass with juice.”
“Don’t say that!” Harriet shook her head. “It sounds… well, just don’t say that.”
“Yeah, it sounded a lot better in my head,” Dawn agreed.
“So you’ve been sitting here for that long, and we didn’t even realize you were there?” Alex looked at her in disbelief.
“I can be very quiet when I want to be.” Dawn grinned again. “Besides, the two of you were so engrossed in your conversation that a marching band could’ve walked through the middle of you, and you wouldn’t have noticed.”
“You really have to get over the marching band thing,” Harriet rolled her eyes.
“Not going to happen,” Dawn told her. “The one time I asked you and Alex to support me and watch the school marching band I was in walk with the town parade, the two of you got into a heated debate and didn’t even see me.”
“We’ve said we were sorry a zillion times.” Harriet sighed resignedly.
“No.” Dawn shook her head. “Alex apologized. He even bought me a car.”
“It was a Barbie Beetle, and you were eighteen,” Harriet reminded her. “Why would an eighteen-year-old even want a Barbie Beetle?”
“It took me forever to find that car,” Alex told Harriet. “It was vintage.”
“Alex took the time and put a lot of thought into his apology,” Dawn pointed out. “All you said was, and I quote, ‘I promise I’ll catch the next parade you’re in,’ but that was my last parade.”
“Fine, Dawn, I’m sorry I missed your marching band parade because Alex was being know-it-all again!” Harriet folded her arms across her chest and narrowed her eyes. “How did this conversation get turned around again?”
“Dawn, please just take the apology,” Alex begged. “That’s the best you’re going to get.”
“Do you want me to buy you a car?” Harriet asked.
“Could I have the one that’s parked in your brother’s garage that you can no longer drive?” Dawn pursed her lips and raised her eyebrows.
“Absolutely not!” Harriet said, shaking her head. “As soon as I have my license again, I’ll be back in the driver’s seat.” She looked at Alex accusingly. “Stop hedging and answer the question.”
“Which was?” Alex’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully
“Who is the Angel whose heart you want to win?” Harriet and Dawn’s eyes widened as they looked at each other and then back at Alex.
“Please don’t tell us it’s Monica Spiers!” Dawn said before Harriet could.
“Oh, heck no!” Alex shuddered. “There was a mistake if ever I’ve made one.”
“We could’ve told you that when you took her on that first date,” Dawn informed him.
“You knew?” Harriet looked at Dawn in disbelief.
“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’t I be giving Dawn permission to use my words?“ 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.
“Yes!” Alex nodded.
“It’s not Jennifer, Caroline, or Carly?” Harriet asked. “Because I’m sorry we draw the line at breaking up current relationships.”
“None of the above,” Alex told them.
“That doesn’t leave us a lot…” Harriet’s eyes widened. “Oh… no!” She shook her head. “No, no, no!” She held up her hands. “Nope!”
“You can’t back out!” Alex reminded her.
“Wait…” Dawn said. “Have I missed something here?”
“He’s talking about Daniella!” Harriet guessed and looked at him for confirmation. “You’re in love with Daniella?”
“What?” A voice came from behind Dawn, and three pairs of shocked eyes turned to see Emily standing, staring at Harriet in disbelief, having read her lips.