Page 64 of WASP

“This wouldn’t have anything to do with Annie, now would it?” Lynn said, peering at her through one open eye, the other still shut as if she was straddling her meditative state and being present with Max.

Max glared at her, not giving her an answer, but her silence proved answer enough as Lynn opened both eyes, stretching her arms up over her head, bending to each side.

There was a beat of hesitation before Lynn answered her. “When I looked at Dan, I always saw home,” she said simply.

Max set her binoculars down, hands splayed out over the rough wooden railing weathered by years of coastal storms. “Yeah, I think I know that feeling,” she said quietly.

Lynn rose, crossing the deck to stand beside her, mirroring her position as she leaned against the railing, looking out over the water. “That’s a really big step for you.”

Max turned her head, gaze meeting Lynn’s. “I know. But it’s one I want. I’m not scared of it. Not this time. Not with Annie.” She drummed her fingers along the wood, thinking about all the things she wanted to tell Lynn about how amazing the last few months of her life had been since Annie had become a part of it.

“She makes my life feel like it can be big, you know?” Max whispered. “Like no idea or dream or situation is too out there and I—” Her voice cracked. “I’ve never felt that way about anyone. All the other girls before her felt so…temporary? But Annie feels different—is different. I think—I think I’m falling in love with her, Lynn.”

More quiet pressed in around them, filled only by the gentle lapping of water against the grasses lining the riverbed, their reeds whistling in the faint breeze.

“It’s terrifying, isn’t it? That feeling.”

Max considered her. “Yeah, but it’s also electrifying. And I wasn’t expecting that.”

Lynn took a moment to collect her thoughts before she responded. “Since I’ve known you, I’ve watched you keep the world at arm’s length. You do it with Jack, Dani, Drew, and even me. I used to think I was the queen of being independent until I met you. And I get it. Independence keeps you safe. You can’t get hurt if you never really rely on anyone.” Lynn turned to face her, resting her hip against the railing. “But life is meant to be shared with other people. We all need witnesses to the experiences we live, people to share them with who cheer us on along the way. With the right person, love is a launchpad, something capable of catapulting you further than you ever thought possible.” She inhaled deeply. “It’s good to see you let someone like Annie in. She’s one of the good people, Max.”

Max hummed, smiling at Lynn’s words, because she wholeheartedly agreed that Annie Dillinger was indeed one of the best people she had ever known.

FIFTEEN

ANNIE

“No fucking way!” Annie exclaimed, bringing her hand to her mouth in astonishment after her brother revealed his surprise to the group standing in front of him and his wife in the Dillinger kitchen.

“Annie,” her mother scolded.

Austin ran a hand through his messy red hair, grinning as Noémie beamed beside him, a hand resting on his upper arm. “Yeah, so that’s the news,” he said, clapping his hands together. “Baby girl Dillinger-LaClaire will be here in October.”

“Congrats,” Annie squealed, jumping up and down, as the other family members shared their congratulations with Austin and Noémie one by one. “How’s it been so far?”

“Terrible,” Noémie said dryly. “The morning sickness is the worst, but I’m hoping that goes away now that I’m in my second trimester.” She rested a hand gently on the curve of her belly.

“Oh, that’ll be the Dillinger genes,” her mom called, voice carrying across the kitchen. “Each of my darling children gave me morning sickness… Annie was the worst. With her it lasted well into the second trimester. The only thing that would settle my stomach was ginger tea.”

“Yeah, I had horrendous morning sickness with Charlotte and Isla; take a wild guess which side of the gene pool they take after. I bet you that baby pops out with red hair,” Avery added, excited as always to have any excuse to talk about babies and pregnancy and raising kids.

“You know what, I think I agree with you, Avery.”

The congratulations continued, Noémie politely excusing herself to head upstairs, needing a little time to rest. Annie and her siblings remained fanned out around the kitchen, prepared to help their mother get the house ready to sparkle for the famed Fourth of July party happening tomorrow.

“Andrew and Junior,” Colleen said, her eyes fixed on the binder splayed open on the counter before her, “you two are on tent duty as per usual. The rental company should be here sometime in the next twenty minutes to start setting up. The box of lights is in the garage and needs to be tested.”

“Sure thing, Mom.” Drew drained the last sip from the takeaway coffee cup in his hand as he and their dad ducked out into the garage.

“Avery,” her mother continued, “I’ll need your help here with decorations and finalizing a few of the last-minute details. Annie and Austin, you two are going to run some errands for me.” She held up a piece of paper, handing it to Annie who took it, eyes scanning the list of stops they needed to make.

“I’m driving,” Austin said with a mischievous smile.

“Ugh, fine,” she conceded, following him down the front hall and out to his car.

Annie fiddled with the radio of the rental car, settling on a station. “Dude, you made a whole-ass baby.”

Austin laughed, his boyish smile slipping in place. “Well, I mean, we have one in the oven, but she’s not fully cooked yet.” He adjusted his grip on the steering wheel, leaning forward to look both ways at the intersection at the end of the road. “How do I get to the bakery again?”