Chapter 23: How Much Can Friendship Handle?

When Alex is looking at me like that, there's only one thing I can think of to say.

"Thank you," I tell him softly. "For everything." Suddenly, I need him to hear it again. To know how grateful I am for all of this - and for him.

"I've told you before, Mae," he replies. "You don't need to keep thanking me."

"Yes, I do." I twist my hair in my hand. "And I'm sorry for all the times I've teased you about your suits or your cars or about how different your life is now."

"Mae," he says, "I've known you a long time. I know when you're actually upset about something and when you're just playing around with me. If I didn't enjoy it, we never would have been friends in the first place."

"You're far too understanding."

"No, I just need someone to keep me grounded. You were right before - I've come a long way from that Haverton kid."

"That's not a bad thing."

"It is if the people back home don't recognize me anymore."

"They recognize you," I insist. "We recognize you. You don't need to f