Page 20

“That’s how gardening and piano is for me.”

They shared a look of understanding. Perfect landscaping flashed through her mind. It was easier than expected to imagine sophisticated Charlotte, sun kissed skin glistening with sweat as she got up to her elbows in dirt. Ali hoped to see that version of Charlotte for herself someday, but she doubted she would.

They chatted until Ali pulled up outside the restaurant, Bella Amore. Quaint flower arrangements burst from the window boxes and a happy font scrawled across the windows in white.

Ali bounced out of her car and was hit with the smell of fresh bread. Her stomach growled in response, mouth watering. Charlotte beat her to the restaurant door and held it open.

“How charming of you,” she teased, stepping inside only to be greeted by twinkling lights sprinkled throughout.

“I’ll admit, my imagination generated a far more unsavory environment,” Charlotte murmured as they both scanned the room.

Ali gave a little fist pump. “Off to a good start.”

She rubbed her hands together watching as a kind looking woman approached, her welcoming smile causing the lines around her dark eyes to crinkle.

“Ladies! Table for two?”

Serene, the metal name tag read.

“Yes, please,” Ali replied, stomach rumbling at the smell of food.

“We just opened the rooftop garden and dining area, if I can tempt you to try it out and give us your feedback.”

“Sure!”

Ali turned her attention to Charlotte who nodded in agreement.

“To the roof, signora!”

Serene grabbed two menus before leading the way to worn wooden stairs that creaked beneath their feet as they climbed. She could feel a piercing gaze fixed on her ass. And she may have added just a little more swing to her hips in response.

Serene opened the door to the roof. Warm evening light streamed into the stairway. She made it up the last few steps, squinting as her eyes adjusted revealing the rooftop. A narrow stage sat in one corner with a small dance floor in front of it. Ali could already imagine Wren’s voice blending into the atmosphere created by the potted and boxed plants that lined the edges in a lush assortment of colors. Twinkling lights adorned the space, adding to the romance of it all. Serene led them to a secluded corner overlooking the city and the river in the distance before leaving with their orders. A glass of Chardonnay and Chef’s special for Charlotte; Dr Pepper, Calamari, and Alfredo for Ali as she continued her quest to find the best Alfredo Boston offered. Ali took in her surroundings, appreciating the ambiance and how tucked between two taller buildings it felt like some kind of sequestered secret garden.

Charlotte was enchanting as she leaned forward to rest her elbows on the table. The golden light of evening cast her in a brilliant hue, the strands of lighter brown jumping out of dark curls.

“So,” Charlotte prompted, fathomless gaze fixed on Ali, irises shifting like blue flame in the light. “Paint me a picture of who you are, Ali McCarthy.”

As often happened when asked to introduce herself all thoughts vanished from her mind. Charlotte’s boldness did her no favors and there wasn’t a single interesting thing rattling around in her head.

She cleared her throat. This was the entire reason they were sitting across from each other.

“It’s an adventurous tale,” Ali began, leg beginning to bounce beneath the table as she grasped for something tangible to offer up. “I’ve always loved making art. It’s always been a part of my life. Each place I lived, I’ve found an artist or two to learn from.”

The rest came easy as she pulled from and embellished her bio on her artist website. She explained her numerous business degrees and how after working in the corporate world, she realized it wasn’t for her. A neater version of the messy reality it had been to live.

“I’ve been moving from city to city working in coffee shops or bookstores, joining artist collectives, serving underprivileged communities, teaching here and there, selling pieces, and painting murals ever since. Whatever tickles my fancy and feels right, really.”

Charlotte listened, her attention fixed on Ali once again, seeming rather fascinated by Ali’s chosen path. How different and chaotic it must seem to Charlotte’s own.

“Oh! I have a cat, Willow.” Ali’s phone rested face down on the outermost edge of the table and she flipped it, tapping the screen and holding it up. “She goes everywhere with me. A well-traveled little thing.”

“Clearly, she knows exactly how cute she is,” Charlotte said, giving the appropriate adoring smile to the screen as Ali nodded her confirmation. “Where have you lived?”

“Monterey, until I was nineteen. Stanford for college. Moved to Portland, Seattle, Baltimore, then hopped up here to Boston.”

Ali set her phone back down, tapping the back as she tried to remember any short stints in between, but she supposed those didn’t count anyway.

“Any specific reason for so many moves in such a short time?”