Over dinner, Alice tells Nan she might see Charlie that night; Nan teasingly implies Alice can stay over if it gets too dark to walk back. After dark, Alice walks to Charlie’s, anxiously intent on seeing him because of their earlier flirtation. Through the window, Alice spots Charlie using a blood pressure cuff and tries to leave, but Charlie stops her and explains he has been monitoring slightly elevated blood pressure, though his expression shows concern.

Charlie asks why Alice came, and Alice admits she wants to see his tree house. He hesitates, then relents and leads her to the elaborate, two-level structure with screened windows and a cedar-shingled roof. He credits Harrison for design help and shares a sentimental detail about a path to Percy’s former cottage, imagining Percy and Sam’s child playing there. When Alice calls him a good brother and a romantic, Charlie rejects the praise and confesses darker self-doubt, wondering if he has ever done anything good; Alice counters by citing his help to her and Nan and links her arm with his.

They climb up and take in the lake view as night deepens. The setting feels magical, and their physical closeness intensifies. Alice initiates touch, lacing her fingers with Charlie’s and kissing his knuckles, then asks to go inside the tree house. Inside, by lantern light, they see minimal furnishings and two sleeping bags. Charlie says he bought the sleeping bags so Alice and Bennett could camp there, which thrills her.

Alice confesses she likes Charlie and likes being with him, asserting that he likes her too. Charlie insists they are friends, then admits he has thought about her intensely and sexually, detailing fantasies and making clear his desire. He also discloses a long history of casual sex starting at fourteen, trying to warn her off, but ultimately acknowledges he has only imagined her since they met.

Charlie says he might like Alice more than anyone but repeats that she deserves more and that he is not capable of a long-term relationship. Alice counters that she is not looking for a boyfriend, trusts him, and wants a physical relationship that can be limited to the summer without expectations beyond August. She attributes part of her desire to the book he gave her and frames their intimacy as another item on their summer list.

Charlie emphasizes he does not want to mislead her, clarifying that physical intimacy is all he can offer, and worries she might regret him. Alice reassures him she would not, praising him beyond his looks and asserting clarity about her desires. Moved and surprised, Charlie finally kisses her, signaling the beginning of their consensual, summer-bound relationship.