Chapter 11

Chapter Eleven

Autumn

I 'm up before my alarm sounds.

I turn it off before the high-pitched song scares the shit out of me. As I do that, a notification flashes across the screen.

Alex Alexander

Message Received

Before I do anything, I change his contact to Zane Alexander, then I go to his message. It’s a voice note.

“Good morning, Pumpkin. Since you want to get to know me, I thought each day after I wake up, I’ll share a few fun facts with you until you’re caught up with all things about me. My birthday is on September 22nd and I’m turning thirty-eight. This is also my favorite season. What about you?”

The roughness in his tone is sexy, but I push those thoughts away.

I click the button and record a message for him.

“Good morning. I’ve never sent messages like this before so bear with me. My birthday is on October 31st and fall is my favorite too. Winter is a strong second. How’d you sleep last night? See any ghosts? I hope you have a good day. Tonight, I’m yours, right? I think your name was on my calendar for today and tomorrow. I’m excited to spend your birthday with you. Maybe it will be a new tradition.”

I climb out of bed and jump in the shower, needing to wake up. I turn on my music and step under the hot stream. It pounds against my skin and I stand there until the water turns cold.

After I’m finished, I wrap a towel around my hair and my body and see I have another message.

“No ghosts, unless I can count the thoughts of you. Also, I think my name is on your calendar for eternity.” He clears his throat and lowers his voice. “Anyway, I hope you have an incredible day. I’ll see you soon. Oh, also, if you want to keep calling me Alex, you can. However, I love it when you say my name, too.”

When I pass the mirror, I realize I’m smiling. I take two steps backward and look at myself, wondering if it’s believable that the two of us could be together.

I click the button to record.

“I don’t think you’re supposed to flirt with your friends.”

Send.

He laughs at the beginning. “Better get used to it. You’ve got two weeks to prepare.”

I slide on a pair of comfy jeans and a T-shirt, then head to work. One thing I love about working at Cozy Coffee is we’re not required to wear a uniform.

My feet hit the sidewalk and I have a pep to my step as I move to the beat of Here Comes the Sun . Ironically, that ball of fire hasn't risen yet and won't for an hour and a half.

Mornings aren’t my favorite, but I’ve learned to appreciate them. There’s something beautiful about experiencing the stillness before the flowers bloom and birds start chirping. It’s proof of new beginnings. After what I’ve been through, a restart on life is something I can get on board with.

Then I remember Sebastian is back in town and panic. As soon as I see Blaire and Julie this morning, I need an emergency girl meeting to fill them in on last night.

I unlock my phone and send Zane a text message.

Autumn

What am I supposed to tell my friends? They’ll ask questions.

Zane

Share whatever you’d like. If you trust them, I do.

As I cross the street, the crisp autumn breeze kisses my cheeks and I shiver. I wrap my arms around my body and enjoy it because I’ve been waiting for summer to end since before it started. I’m tempted to dance in the streets, alone, in the glow of the lamps that are programmed to cut off when the sun rises. But I keep my excitement to myself.

Right now, it’s in the lower forties. This weekend, at night, it’s supposed to get down into the thirties. I’m looking forward to it.

The upbeat music blares through my earbuds, and The Beatles are what I need to help wake me up.

Less than ten minutes later, I approach the wall of tall windows at the front of the coffee shop. Similar storefronts stretch the entire length of Main Street.

All week, I’ve daydreamed as I’ve watched couples and families on vacation enjoy my hometown. Sometimes I wonder what it would be like to experience it as an outsider during these months. I’ve heard it’s more magical than Salem, but I’ll never be able to fully compare it.

After I unlock the door, I slip inside and remember to turn the deadbolt this time.

“Locked,” I whisper, continuing to the office so I can start my morning duties.

The layout of the room hasn’t changed since it opened eighty years ago. I’m convinced I could navigate the space with my eyes closed. Might have to test that theory soon.

As I walk through the small kitchen where we bake our pastries, the bell above the door rings.

“Great job!” Julie hollers, and she’s humming something. As I count down the registers, she joins me in the office.

“Well?”

“Well, what?” I ask, moving to the front with the money drawers in tow.

She follows behind me. “How’d dinner go with Alex?”

“It was fun. Did you know Sebastian is back?”

Julie is usually on top of the town gossip, even though most of it doesn’t include anyone our age.

“No. Ugh. Right when everything is going great! Sebastard is like a cockroach. Just when you think they’ve been eradicated, they come back stronger.”

“He said he wants to talk to me about us.”

She flicks on the machines then glares at me. Her annoyance level rises anytime we discuss him.

“I told him no. He also believes me and Alex are dating.”

Her brow pops up. She's intrigued. “Really?”

“And we’ll probably keep that lie going until the end of the year.”

“Oh, my God. It's the look.”

I roll my eyes, trying to ignore her as I turn on the registers. She makes the drip brew, shaking her head, but she's smiling.

Eventually, Blaire knocks on the door and waves at us.

When I allow her in, she immediately grins. “Whoa. It’s the look.”

“Did you plan to say this to me today?”

“So, you saw it too?” Blaire glances at Julie. “It's unmistakable.”

“What does that even mean?” I sigh. “We didn’t have sex! I know it’s not that look.”

“It’s the fuck it I'm falling in love look,” Julie says.

“No,” I whisper.

“Sebastian is back,” Julie mutters as Blaire checks the dining room and wipes down a few tables.

“What the fuck?” Her voice rises an octave, and it echoes through the empty room.

“He said he couldn’t stay away from here or me,” I explain as Blaire groans.

“In better news, Autumn and Alex are official,” Julie says.

“What?!” Blaire questions.

“We’re fake dating. I lied, and Alex played along flawlessly. And his name isn’t Alex,” I blurt out. “Promise to keep it to yourself.”

They wait with bated breath.

“He’s Zane Alexander.”

Julie gasps and drops the metal cream container in her hands. Luckily, the lid was on and screwed tight, so just a tiny drop spills. The loud noise startles me.

“A complete documentary about his family was released a few months ago. He’s elusive, super secretive, and doesn't befriend anyone.”

I shrug. “I don’t know if that's true. We became fast friends.”

Blaire is almost speechless. “The Rolex makes more sense now. He’s a fucking billionaire. Like, old money. Vanderbilts. Calloways. Alexanders. I cannot believe this.”

My palms grow sweaty.

“You’re dating Zane Alexander. Holy shit!” Julie laughs and gives me a high five.

“When one of us gets a sugar daddy, we all win,” Blaire says, repeating the hilarious thing we’ve said to each other since we were old enough to drive. It’s ridiculous.

“We’re just friends trying to scare off my ex,” I say as we continue working. “You both know Sebastian won’t stop. Boundaries don't exist for him.”

“Rat boy is very stubborn,” Julie says.

“You’re right,” Blaire agrees. “Guess that means Alex is not only your dream man, but your knight in shining armor.”

At six on the dot, I move to unlock the door, seeing Zane is the first in line. He’s holding another bouquet of hand-picked flowers with a black ribbon tied around the stems and hands it to me.

“Thank you,” I say, glancing down at the peach colored roses.

“Morning,” he says, placing a kiss on my cheek. I reach up and instinctively run my fingers up the side of his neck. He pulls away, meeting my eyes before walking past me to the register.

Mr. Henry, one of our regulars, waggles his brows at me as he enters. One of the fairy godmothers, Mrs. Blanchard, gives me a wink. A smile takes over and I try to push it away as the dining room fills with customers.

Zane chats with Blaire and I set the flowers in a vase on the shelf for everyone to enjoy.

The order prints out and on the side it says: Your boyfriend. Large. Order: Surprise him with your yummy goodness.

I glare at Blaire and she snickers as I make him my favorite drink—a mocha with homemade whip. I prepare it as if I’d be drinking it and only hope that he enjoys it. Not sure I can be friends with someone who despises what I love.

Two minutes later, I walk to the edge of the counter and say his name. He pushes off the wall and stalks toward me wearing a small smile.

“Alex,” I whisper, handing his cup to him, and our fingers brush together.

He twists it around and reads what Blaire wrote on the side and chuckles.

“Don’t say a word,” I warn.

“That’s no way to treat your boyfriend.”

“You two are super cute,” Julie says between us, encouraging it.

Before I can say anything, my attention is pulled away by Sebastian entering. Zane spots him too.

“Please, meet me outside,” Zane says.

“Right now?” I ask.

“Yes.” We hold a silent conversation and I turn to Julie. “I’ll be back.”

“Okay.” She glances at Sebastian. I walk around the counter and Zane holds his hand out toward me. I take it and he leads me past Sebastian, outside, to the edge of the sidewalk.

Then, he takes one step forward, leaning in and whispers in my ear. “May I kiss you?”

My body burns with anticipation because I know a kiss never lies. I study him and nod, giving him all the permission he needs. His large hand rests softly on my cheek and his mouth gently slides across mine. I grab his shirt with my fist and our tongues slide together. It’s explosive, instant fireworks. He tastes like spearmint and smells like fresh mountain air.

It shouldn’t feel like this. It shouldn’t feel like home. It shouldn’t feel like I want to do this again and again and again. But it does. My body buzzes and the sensation nearly brings me to my knees as the kiss deepens further. I whimper against him and I’m lost in this moment. Nothing else in the world matters.

As if Zane realizes we’ve gone too far, he gently pulls away, his swollen lips hovering above mine as he fists my hair.

“It wasn’t supposed to be like that,” he whispers, placing his fingers on my chin, forcing me to look into his eyes, and I drown.

“I know,” I say.

He takes a step back, creating much needed space. We crossed a line, one we probably shouldn’t have, even if we've walked it finely so far.

“See you tonight, Pumpkin,” he says.

“Yes,” I say, surprised I can even form words because I’m pretty sure he stole my soul when our lips touched.

Zane shoots me a wink and chuckles. “Perfect coffee, babe.”

He raises his cup, then walks away. I watch him, stunned, and when I come back to reality and turn around, I realize the entire coffee shop witnessed our first kiss. Immediately, I tuck my hair behind my ears and walk in.

Julie and Blaire smile wide as the room bursts into applause and encouragement from regulars.

“Marry that man,” a woman yells from the back and I laugh.

As I pass my ex, I realize Zane was sending an obvious message—I’m with him. Fake or not, I think Sebastian understands that now.

“What the fuck was that?” Julie asks after I wash my hands and return to my espresso machine.

“Zane just cursed me.”

“You were already cursed, remember?” She’s confused, but she doesn’t know the turmoil that’s swarming inside of me.

When Sebastian walks up to the register, I hear him ask about the flowers.

“Oh, Autumn’s boyfriend brought those for her this morning,” Blaire says. “He’s thoughtful. Anyway, how have you been?”

They hold a pleasant conversation and I glare at Julie.

“What am I supposed to do?” I ask between gritted teeth.

“Ignore him like he ignored you before he broke up with you.”

“You’re smart,” I say, needing the reminder. My cheeks still burn and my body continues to buzz. I'm floating on Cloud 9 and shouldn't be.

The sticker pops up on the printer and Julie takes it.

I read what Blaire wrote.

Sea Biscuit. Medium Mocha.

Julie snickers. “I’ve got it.”

When he passes the espresso machine, I keep my eyes down, focusing on the dark liquid pouring from the spout. Julie hurries and makes his coffee and calls his name with zero enthusiasm.

“Hey Jules,” he says to her as she hands him his cup.

“It’s Julie,” she corrects. Her nickname is reserved for her friends only.

“Right. Anyway, thanks.”

He leaves the coffee shop and doesn’t look back. Julie returns to my side.

“That kiss was passionate as hell. What did it feel like?”

My body is still singing. “Like…magic.”