After a study session with Charlie that ends with me blue balled harder than I’ve been since I was fifteen years old, I decide the next time I’m alone with her, I’m not holding back. She wanted to sleep with me instead of reviewing my old lecture notes - but there was no way in hell I was going to take Charlie’s virginity on a twin bed in a shared dorm room.

She deserves a hell of a lot more than that. She asked for romance, didn’t she?

Still the next week goes by in a blur. She cancels on me once because she has a job interview, and half my weeknights are filled with school commitments. By the time the next Saturday rolls around, I am dying to see her, but I promised my sister we’d Christmas shop.

Me: You can come with. Ava won’t mind.

Charlie: Thanks, but I’ll pass. Prescott told me about a law office hiring, and I want to get my resume up to par.

My brow creases. Why is he all up in Charlie’s business?

Me: Prescott, huh?

Charlie: Yeah, awesome right? He emailed me about it this morning.

Refusing to sound like a jealous ass, I think of a chill response.

Me: Sounds good. How about dinner tonight?

Charlie: Sounds great. Text later?

I haven’t exactly had a girlfriend since Winslow, and I’m not saying Charlie is mine, but it feels like we could get there. When we text, it’s like we’re in a relationship. Like there is mutual trust, respect, courtesy.

And it’s really fucking with my mind.

When I pick Ava up from her campus dorm, she can tell something is on my mind.

“You look a million miles away,” she says as we drive toward the mall.

“I’m not. I’m right here.”

“Yeah? Well good because I need to talk to you.”

“Everything okay?” I look over at my little sister, concerned with her tone.

“Not really,” she groans. “Mom and Dad found out about my little hospital visit and they are pissed.”

“When did this happen?”

“About ten minutes before you picked me up.”

“Ah, makes sense why I hadn’t heard about it yet.”

“Well sorry, but you will. They seem to think I need more boundaries.” She makes air quotes.

“Which means?”

She scoffs. “They said something about an allowance.”

I roll my eyes, turning on my blinker to pull into the crowded mall parking lot. “They think money motivates everyone.”

Ava smirks. “Well it motivates you.”

Frowning I ask, “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Oh come on, Spence. You always want the fanciest cars, the most expensive clothes, and the most high-end vacations.”

Turning off the ignition I look over at my sister. Fendi booties. Gucci bomber jacket. Bottega Veneta handbag. She is wearing twenty grand in clothing, easy.

“Right, I’m the one who is obsessed with money.”

Ava rolls her eyes. “Mom buys me this shit. I don’t care about it.”

We get out of the car, neither of us in a great mood. And as we enter the mall, Christmas music blaring, it doesn’t exactly get us in a festive spirit.

“If you don’t care about flashy items then why are we at the fanciest shopping center in Jersey?” I ask her.

“Because our mother will hold it against us on Christmas morning if we don’t get her something with a label she approves of.”

“Fair enough. Then can we just get what we need and get out of here? This mall gives me the creeps. Everyone is so plastic.”

Ava twists her lips. “So maybe there is some meat to the rumor about you and your scholarship girl?”

I lift my eyebrows, incredulous. “You know her name. God Ava, she saved your life.”

“I know.” She smiles, slugging me in the arm as we wind our way through Bloomingdales. “I was testing you, wanted to see if you’d come to her defense. And you did. You like her.”

“Yeah.” I clench my jaw. “I don’t know what the rumors say, but Charlie deserves more than speculation.”

“What does that mean?”

“I don’t like the idea of people talking about her behind her back.”

We pause at a jewelry counter. “Well, she’ll need to get used to it if you plan on spending more time with her. Winslow’s claws are out and it’s only a matter of time before Mom and Dad get involved.”

“Mom and Dad are not getting involved with this,” I warn.

“Sure, just like we thought they wouldn’t find out about my little trip to the ER. They have eyes and ears everywhere. And they will not be happy about your relationship with Charlotte Hayes. She’s a sweetheart, but not at all in your league.”

“Ava, you’re my sister, but that’s too far. You can’t put her down, and if our parents come after you for information about her, promise me you’ll have my back. Charlie means something to me.”

Ava’s eyes widen. “Wow, you really like her.”

I nod. “Yeah, she’s really … special.”

Ava gives me a hug. “Of course I have your back, Spencer. You’re my big brother.” Then she smiles, eyes twinkling. “So what are you getting her for Christmas? Those earrings are gorgeous.” Ava points to a pair of solitaire diamonds. “Any girl would die for them.”

I smile to myself - yeah right, as if Ava isn’t motivated by money.

“No, not Charlie. She’d balk at them.”

“So what would she like?” Ava asks. “A Hermes purse? Oh, a cashmere Burberry scarf?”

I shake my head. “We won’t find what she’d want here. But I have an idea of where we could go.”

Ava’s eyes are bright. “Okay, let’s finish shopping for Mom, Dad, and Gran and then go get your girl her Christmas gift.”

My girl.

It sounds about right.

Later, after the mall shopping is done, Ava and I park in downtown Princeton.

“A record store?” Ava asks as I pull open a door.

“Charlie’s a collector.”

Ava frowns. “You know Mom and Dad will never approve of her, right?”

I stiffen. “She could win them over.”

My sister squeezes my arm. “Oh Spencer, you are so screwed.”

Stepping into the record store, I shake my head. I’m falling for Charlie Hayes and my parents are not going to get in the way of that.