One Golden Summer

That night, Alice and Charlie meet up by the water. When Charlie muses about Sam and Percy’s future child, Alice remarks on what a good brother he is. Charlie dismisses the comment, insisting that he’s not a good person. Then he takes Alice to see the tree house. Alice is amazed by his work and the view. Then Alice shares her thoughts about their relationship, insisting they can remain friends even if they become physically intimate. They agree to have a summer fling. Charlie kisses Alice.

Alice and Charlie spend hours making out and touching each other in the tree house. They talk and flirt, too. Alice laughs more than she’s laughed in a long time.

The next morning, Nan shows Alice a newspaper ad for Elyse’s upcoming show. Nana also sent Heather the ad; now Heather enthusiastically texts Alice. Overwhelmed, Alice meets up with Charlie on his boat. He takes her to his dock and tries teaching her to backflip—another item on her list. Alice can’t execute the flip, but they hang out all afternoon. Charlie opens up about his frustrations with life in Toronto where he is a stock trader—he’s spending the summer trying to figure things out. Being on the lake also helps him remember his late dad. Charlie and Alice kiss until Nan’s dinner bell interrupts them.

Back at the cottage, Heather and Kip call to talk to Alice. Nan has asked Alice’s dad and sister to pressure Alice to attend the gallery opening. Sensing Alice’s frustration, Charlie ends the call. Afterwards, Alice confronts Nan about putting her in that position.

Alice and Charlie retreat to the boathouse. Charlie suggests they make bad art—another bucket list item—to cheer Alice up. For hours, they draw each other’s portraits. Alice opens up about her work frustrations. Charlie is on sabbatical from work because he needed a break from the pressure. The only thing he likes about the job is the pay. What he really enjoys is cooking. They kiss and Charlie performs oral sex on Alice.

Back at the cottage, Alice and Nan make amends for what happened on the phone. Alice opens up about her work frustrations and Nan encourages her to follow her own mind. Then the conversation shifts to John. Nan and John haven’t talked in 10 years. The last time they saw each other was shortly after Joyce died. Both grieving their spouses, they kissed. Afterwards, Nan got mad at John and shut him out. She still feels guilty for betraying Joyce. Alice insists there’s nothing to feel guilty for and urges her to call John. Nan reveals that Charlie gave her the same advice.

Alice calls Elyse “to withdraw [her] photograph from the show” (226). Elyse is proud of Alice for standing up to her, and they agree to meet up soon.

Alice spends every day with Charlie. They go out on the lake, swim, kiss, and engage in sexual foreplay. Although they haven’t had penetrative sex, Alice feels “sneaky and silly” being intimate with him (227).

On Friday, Alice goes to Sam and Percy’s baby shower. She’s agreed to photograph the event. Throughout the night, she takes photos, mingles, and hangs out with Charlie. When other women make remarks about Charlie’s sexual past, Alice feels uncomfortable. She and Charlie step outside where he apologizes for his friends’ remarks.

Charlie reveals the finished tree house to Sam, Percy, Percy’s parents, and all their friends. Percy pulls Alice aside to talk about Charlie; she thinks they make a perfect couple. Alice insists they’re just friends.

That evening, Alice and Charlie meet up in the tree house. A subdued Charlie admits that he and Percy slept together years prior and he still can’t forgive himself. Percy and Sam had broken up and Charlie was mad at Sam for giving up on a good relationship. Charlie also had feelings for Percy at the time. He now thinks sleeping with Percy is proof that he’s a bad person. Alice insists otherwise, reminding him that he’s a changed man and that everyone has forgiven him. They kiss. Just as they start to undress, Sam interrupts them.

Alice and Charlie text about what happened the night prior. Charlie assures her that she doesn’t have to be embarrassed.

Over the following weeks, Alice divides her time between Nan and Charlie. Charlie often joins her and Nan for meals and outings, too.

One day, Willa sends Alice the bathing suit spread from Swish, apologizing for any miscommunication. Alice is thrilled that Willa has printed the photos unedited.

Charlie is going to Toronto for a doctor’s appointment for a few days. Before he leaves, he takes Nan into town for her euchre game and then drives back to the cottage to be with Alice. They go skinny dipping in the dark and then have oral sex on the beach. Afterwards, they lie on the porch and look at each other’s social media pages, remarking on their photos, until Charlie has to collect Nan. Later that night, Alice is charmed when she discovers Charlie posted a photo of her.

Two days later, Charlie returns from Toronto and Heather arrives with Bennett after all. Heather and Bennett are immediately delighted by Charlie, insisting he must be Alice’s boyfriend. Alice photographs their afternoon together. They go out for dinner and spend the evening on the boat.

That night, Alice and Heather stay up late talking. Heather lists everything she likes about Charlie and Alice opens up about her feelings for him. Heather insists that they’re in love, but Alice argues otherwise. Heather remarks that if Alice has something this good in her life, she shouldn’t let it go.

Alice, Charlie, and Bennett spend lots of time together. Alice appreciates Charlie’s investment in Bennett, but longs to be alone with him. One night, he arranges for her and Bennett to sleep in the tree house. After Bennett falls asleep, Alice sneaks into Charlie’s house. In the bathroom, they kiss and touch each other until Bennett interrupts them. Alice realizes how much she missed Charlie when he was away.