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“She lets you touch her hair.”

Lizzie’s voice cut through Ali’s blissful haze.

Looking up, she froze.

Lizzie’s seafoam-green eyes were narrowed in a sharp, dangerous way she’d never seen. Lizzie was usually warmth wrapped in sarcasm, but nothing warm remained. Only savage suspicion.

An irritated scoff drew Ali’s attention to Victoria standing near the back door. Her arms were crossed and she wore a glare hot enough to scorch. She spun on her heel and stalked back inside, past Lilah who hesitated before following and asking if she was okay.

All eyes were on her. The fire crackled. Ice clinked in someone’s cup. And still everyone stared. Ali hated it.

They were here to celebrate Lizzie and Sasha but here she was mouth opening and closing like a fish stuck in its bowl.

Discomfort needled into her sternum, the silky braid still gripped in her hand. What had she done to warrant being the center of attention like this?

“I’m… her girlfriend?” Ali said, more question than confirmation, trying to deduce why everyone was still staring and why Charlotte felt tense beneath her fingers.

Lizzie’s voice dropped low and ominous. “But she doesn’t let anyone touch her hair.”

Oh.

Ali recoiled, dropping the braid as though it burned. Every moment she’d ever touched Charlotte’s hair without asking played in her mind.

“I—I’m sorry.” Ali backed away, taking a shaky step, then another, retreating toward the dock.

“Lina—” Charlotte called, starting to rise, but Ali was already halfway down the dock.

The sand had cooled since sunset, fine grains slipping between Ali’s toes as she wandered toward the water. It had been such a good day. Joyful, light, the kind of day she hadn’t had in far too long. And she hated that one thing could send it crumbling.

Their sandcastle came into view, or what was left of it. Hours ago, it stood proud and whimsical, now it lay in an unrecognizable heap, like someone stomped through it.

Her brain fizzed.

I need to fix it or⁠—

STOP.

Her new therapist’s voice flicked to life, reminding her to breathe and practice her mantras.

I am strong.

I am whole.

Every breath I take will relax me.

I acknowledge what I fear is possible, and I release my compulsive thoughts.

She stood at the shoreline, close enough for the waves to lap at her ankles. And she breathed deeply.

Arms circled her from behind, and without thought she sank back into Charlotte as she pressed her lips to the hollow just below her ear. Charlotte nuzzled into her neck before resting her chin on her shoulder.

“I’m sorry for touching your hair without asking,” Ali whispered quickly, before Charlotte could speak. “I didn’t know you didn’t like it.”

Charlotte’s arms tightened, drawing her closer. Her lips skimmed Ali’s ear. “That’s the thing,” she began, voice low and honest. “I do like it when you touch it.”

Ali craned her neck, looking up at Charlotte. “Really?”

“Really.” Charlotte brushed her lips over Ali’s brow. “I’ve always felt safe with you. Accepted. I’ve never struggled to trust you.”