Page 91 of Let's Talk About Love

“I guess I am stupid then.”

“I think you’re smart enough to know what’s best for you right now. Otherwise, why are you fighting so hard against a sure thing?”

“It’s possible to be brave and stupid at the same time.”

“Stupidity is relative and that’s not how I see you. If that’s how you feel, I can’t make that better. If you want to keep talking about this in circles with me, I’m happy to do it for as long as you need, but I think we’ve reached the point where it’s time for me to say that’s really all I can do for you in this situation. Be here and listen.”

That was it.

Alice poked him in the ribs, not even trying to hide her smile. He said the Perfect Thing. He didn’t have any answers but he would be there until she figured it out. And then long after.

“Have a cracker.”

She inhaled it in one smug bite. “You’re so good to me. I’m gonna knit you a scarf.”

“You can knit?”

“No, but I’d learn for you. You seem like the type to appreciate a good scarf in the dead of winter.” Takumi handed her a square of cheddar. “Where are the grapes?”

“Cooler.”

Turning around, she spotted the wine rack. Alice wasn’t a drinker by nature, but the less-than-nurturing day had tipped her into curious country. She’d been hammered past the point of safety only once and as she clutched the communal dorm-room toilet bowl the morning after, she swore to never do it again.

But that was before. Besides, she only needed enough to get her to that sweet spot between being carefree and memory loss.

“Do you think your parents would mind if we borrowed a bottle?”

“Probably not.” He looked over his shoulder at her. “But.”

Too late. It was already in her hand. “This one looks good. Not that I know anything about wine.”

“I don’t know if you should drink.”

“Why not? I’ve been drunk before. I even have a fake ID. Bottle opener?”

Takumi pointed to a drawer. A few twists later, the cork popped out with ease. She brought the bottle to her lips.

“Use a glass, heathen.” He handed Alice a wineglass and pinched her cheek. “If you’re going to drink a lot, please cut it with water.”

She poured and raised her glass.“Salud!”The tart aftertaste would take some getting used to. “Takumi?” she asked, already feeling warm.

“No thanks.”

“Oh, come on! Drink with me,” she pleaded. “It’s the next best thing to eating your feelings.”

“I thought you didn’t want to wallow?”

“We’re not. This is,” she said, pausing, looking at her glass, “this is prep for embracing the inevitable. See how totally mature I am?”

“Yeah.Totally.”

She scrunched her face at him, laughing before going to sit on one of the plush sofas. When Takumi joined her, he set down the tray of food and two bottles of water, and he had a guitar.

“Oh. My. God. Are youthat guy?” He didn’t seem to know what she was talking about. “You know, the guy at parties who pulls out his guitar and plays ‘Wonderwall’ or Dashboard Confessional songs? My brother told me all about it.”

“How old is your brother? I don’t think I’ve ever asked.”

“Thirty-five. My sister just turned thirty-seven. I was an accident,” Alice said. “That’s what they used to call me, Accidental Alice.” She snorted—he looked so offended. “Don’t worry, it’s all love. Anyway, so you’rethe guywho sings his sensitive heart out at parties to pick up girls. And just so you know, a party of two counts.”