Chapter 9

Chapter Nine

Autumn

“ W hat just happened?” Julie asks as she follows close behind me. My body is on fire as I move through the storage area toward the office with the bag in my hand. Once inside, I set it on the desk and stare at it.

We have orders out the ass to make, and customers are flooding in, but I can't concentrate on anything else right now. I have to step away and clear my mind.

“Well?”

“He gifted me this.” I point at it, shocked because no one has ever given me anything so expensive.

She glances inside.

“Wow.” Julie pulls out the brand-new iPhone box. “Rose gold. Largest storage. Did you give him a handy we don’t know about?”

“Hell no. I treated him like shit and then apologized the best I could. I don’t think I can accept this,” I tell her.

She places her hand on my shoulder. “Why not?”

“I don’t want him to think he needs to buy my friendship. I also don’t want to be love bombed.”

“He can slap my butt and call me Pumpkin.” Julie snickers. “Look. Maybe gifting expensive things is his love language just like how baking pumpkin bread is yours.” She shoots me a wink.

“You have a point.” I shake my head and groan.

“Wait, did you make him pumpkin bread?”

“Ugh,” I won't be able to deny it to her face. I thought I'd have more time to spill the news. “Yes.”

“I knew it!”

“What’s wrong with me?” I whine.

“Nothing. You’re just really predictable. I seriously told Blaire yesterday that you were gonna bake that man a love loaf.” Julie chuckles and sets a screen protector, extra-long charging cord, and a pumpkin case on the desk. “Mr. Dreamy is totally into you and he has a sense of humor, Pumpkin ,” she teases.

Hearing him say it gave my heart palpitations. I wished for and wanted him to exist. And he does.

“He’s being nice,” I explain. “Too nice.”

“And recently, he was a total dickhead.”

“Exactly. That’s proof things between us are escalating. We went from annoyed strangers to friends,” I mutter. He’s been buried under my skin since the moment our eyes met.

“First comes love,” she singsongs.

“What do you think about him? Your honest opinion.”

Julie is never wrong about anyone I’ve ever befriended or dated. She was dead on about Sebastian, and the jerk I was with in college.

“I think deep down Alex is a good guy and has a good heart. But it’s clear to me that he’s going through some shit,” she says. “We just have to figure out what that is.”

I sigh. “I can’t fix him.”

“Maybe he can fix you.” She waggles her brows. “And you’ll be writing in no time.”

“I’ve kept up with my daily haikus. All love themed as assigned.”

A wide smile fills her face and she squeals. “He is your inspo. Oh my fucking God!”

“Hello? Are you kidding me?” Blaire yells from the doorway to the storage area. “Want me to handle it all alone? We're getting majorly backed up.”

Julie pops her head out of the office. “Sorry! We’re coming. Just crisis avoiding.”

We jog to the front where the line quickly moves. Half the dining room waits for their order, but no one seems upset.

“I need to tell you both something,” Blaire says behind Julie as we work the hell out of the espresso machines. “Alex gave me $500 to pay for everyone’s orders who walked in and then he tipped us the same amount.”

“Are you kidding?” Julie’s voice goes up an octave.

“Why would he do that?” I ask, glancing between them.

“He said he wanted to put some magic into the world.” Blaire shrugs. “I’ve been telling everyone it’s their lucky day. Our tip jar has been stuffed full three times.”

“Gotta be truthful, I fucking like him,” Julie states. “ A lot. ”

“Next you’ll be planning our wedding.” I shake my head as Blaire returns to the register wearing a bright smile.

“Who says I’m not right now? I get to be your maid of honor. You were my best friend before Blaire moved here!”

I bump her with my hip as I slap a lid on the vanilla cinnamon latte.

“I heard that. We’ll play paper, rock, scissors for it,” Blaire says.

They’ve fought over who’ll get the position since we were teenagers. If I ever get married, I’ll have two, I guess. It’s a choice I can’t make.

Julie and I work as fast as possible, apologizing to those who may have waited a little longer, and offer them a free chocolate croissant. They’re all happy and in a good mood because it was their lucky day. Not one person complained or cared.

The rest of the day flies by and it’s like I blink and our shift is over.

Blaire and Julie finish restocking and I rebalance the register, then sign off on completed mid-day duties. Tracy, another supervisor, asks for an update of where everything is. I fill her in as Blaire grabs our tip jar and the other two that are full. Several twenties fall onto the floor.

Tracy’s eyes widen. “Damn. How’d you manage that?”

“We flashed our boobs to every customer,” Julie explains. “Works every time. Coffee and cleavage.”

I roll my eyes. “Someone gifted a lot of drinks to customers who reciprocated with tips,” I explain.

Tracy laughs. “That’s it. I’m putting in a request to switch to the morning shift because all the cool shit happens to the three of you.”

“Today was magical,” Julie explains, glancing at me. Alex accomplished his goal and put some magic into the world.

After I wrap up my mini meeting with Tracy, I meet Blaire and Julie in the office where they’re grabbing their things.

Blaire glances at the bag and sees the phone and accessories. “He hooked you up. Smart for him to get you a non-destructible lifetime guarantee screen protector considering this is your third one you’ve destroyed this year. Gonna make it a quarterly habit?”

“I hope not. We’ll see if this one lasts until December. If I keep it,” I add.

“Accept the gift with an appreciative thank you,” Blaire says. “Damn, you’d never make it as a sugar baby.”

Julie chuckles and slides her coffin-shaped purse over her shoulder. “I’d let him spoil me.”

“God, me too. Can we trade places? He’s actually hilarious. I told him I thought he was an asshole, and he said he was, but he’s nice sometimes, too. I dunno. He seems genuine. Also, did anyone else notice the diamond encrusted Rolex he sported today? He’s wearing a $250,000 watch around town like he picked it up at the souvenir shop on the corner.”

My eyes widen because Blaire knows her jewelry. Since we were teenagers, she’s been obsessed with making and designing it.

Julie is speechless.

“Yeah. When I saw it this morning, I nearly shit my pants. I’d researched those watches a few months ago, so it took everything not to grab his wrist and look at it up close. No way it was a knockoff. They’re too easy to spot.”

“So he’s rich , rich. Now I don’t feel so bad about my phone. Or the tips,” I say. “That’s like five bucks to us.”

They burst into laughter.

“I really love this for you,” Julie says.

Blaire nods. “Please date this man.”

“We’re just friends.” I sit at the desk and drop my head against my arms as a chill runs up my spine. “Strangers, if I’m honest.”

“That’s how most relationships start,” Blaire says.

“I’m doomed, aren’t I?”

“Or maybe you’re destined,” Julie offers as we leave together.

As soon as our feet hit the pavement, I take the lead in front of them. I round the corner of the building, and crash into a brick wall. Or so I thought. When I turn my focus forward, strong hands are steadying me. I meet his blue eyes and my mouth falls open as he smiles.

“Alex,” I whisper.

“Sorry,” he mutters. “I was trying to catch you after your shift. Not literally, though.”

“We’ll see you two later,” Julie says, pulling Blaire away. They’re giggling like teenagers as they turn in the opposite direction.

“Sorry,” I say, noticing how close we are with his firm grasp still on me.

“Don’t be.” He lets me go. “Will you join me for dinner at Bookers at eight?”

I laugh. “Tonight?”

“Yes. If you’re busy?—”

“I’m not.” I smile. “It would be fun.”

He glances down at his watch, the one that costs a quarter of a million dollars, then his phone rings.

“I’m sorry, but I’ve got to take this. I’ve been avoiding this call all day. I’ll see you tonight?” His voice is honey.

“Perfect.”

He grins and answers. I walk away, but before he’s out of sight, I turn and glance back at him. As he crosses the street, he turns his head and our eyes meet. I tuck my lips inside my mouth and continue forward toward my place.

Did he catch me or was it the other way around?

When I get home, I eat a quick turkey wrap then unbox the new phone, powering on my old one. I put on the screen protector and case, hoping it will make it last longer than three months. The pumpkin case was a nice touch considering I have a feeling it’s now become my new nickname. I’m not complaining though. Secretly, he can call me Pumpkin any day of the week.

As my data transfers over, I move to my closet and skim over my clothes.

I slide a dress from the hanger and decide against it, then pull out a purple slouchy sweater and a pair of jeans. This is dinner with a friend, not a date. The last thing I want to do is give off the wrong impression. But I do want to solve him like a puzzle, even if he’s already three steps ahead of me.

I grab my poem book and write. Lately, I’ve been jotting them down as soon as he comes to mind. Alex has me feeling things I haven’t felt in years.

There you are again

Thoughts of you keep haunting me.

How can you be real?

As I breathe out, I replay the moment we crashed together and how close his lips were to my mouth. I wonder how they would feel pressed against mine.

The new phone dings and it snaps me back to reality. I swipe through my photos to ensure I’m not missing anything. I scroll back a few years and stop at a photo of me and Sebastian at the resort. He’s smiling wide and one of his gloved hands gives a thumbs up while the other is wrapped around me. The year prior, we met on the lifts and I thought it was love—maybe more like lust—at first sight.

When things were good with us, they were really good. The highest of highs came with the lowest of lows.

A notification pops up at the top of the screen. When I see Alex’s name, I grin and click on it.

Alex

Please text me your address so I can walk with you to dinner.

Autumn

1313 Pumpkin Crossing Drive, Apt 2. I’m upstairs from Vinyl Vibes.

Alex

Thanks. See you soon!

I scroll up and read the previous messages that synced from our conversation. My cheeks heat reading the jacked-up text I sent. He wasn’t lying. Then I see his skull emoji reply. Maybe he has a sense of humor.

For the rest of the day, I sit at my nook and devour a thriller I picked up a few days ago. My brain is quiet, even if thoughts of Alex slip in every once in a while. When I randomly glance up at the edge of the mountain, my eyes scan over to Hollow Manor. How is it possible he lives in that house? Too many things keep pulling us together.

An hour before he’s set to pick me up, I shower and get dressed. As I finish putting on my lipstick, there’s a knock at my door.

As soon as he sees me, he smiles. “Hi.”

“Hello.” My eyes slide from his eyes to his mouth, down the light gray button-up shirt that’s tucked into black slacks that fit his body perfectly. Then I notice he’s holding a bouquet. Just for me.

“They’re called Coneflowers,” he says, handing them to me. Our fingers brush together.

I immediately inhale their sweet scent. “They’re gorgeous. Thanks.”

“You’re welcome,” he says.

“I should keep these here. Oh, come in.”

Alex follows behind and I allow him to enter. The door closes and seeing him standing there throws me off. I’m tempted to ask if it’s real, but I don’t want to wake up if it’s not.

“What?” he asks, curiously.

“Nothing at all.” I move to my kitchen and pull a vase from the cabinet. I drop an Aspirin in the bottom, then fill it with water. My fingers brush against the silk ribbon as I untie it and put the bright red flowers inside. “When we’re actually friends, remind me to tell you why I was looking at you like that. Right now, it would be a little too awkward.”

He chuckles, tucking his hands into his pockets. “I look forward to learning why. It’s the same expression you had when you handed me my coffee. It’s a flash of recognition. Tell me, Pumpkin, what is it I remind you of?”

I try to hold back a smile as I lift the flowers onto the windowsill, knowing my heart rate is ticking. I’m sure he noticed that too. “Ah yeah, you’re halfway there. One day I’ll tell you. And when I do, promise me you’ll find it adorable.”

“Okay,” he says, and our eyes lock for a moment too long before he breaks the contact to glance around my space. “It feels like home here. Cozy. Comfortable. Not at all haunted.”

“Oh, good. Glad to learn I’m clear of ghosts, considering you’re an expert now,” I say, happy for the subject change.

He chuckles. “Shall we go?”

I nod and we make our way outside.

As we travel down the sidewalk, our arms brush together. “Have you always lived here?”

“I moved to New York for school, then Europe for almost three years while I got my master’s degree.”

“Impressive. What’s your profession?”

I glance over at him. “I dreamed of being an author.”

“Just dreamed?” he asks, meeting my eyes.

“I can’t write anymore,” I say.

I wait for him to push, to ask me more questions, but he doesn’t.

“What about you?”

He grins. “I guess you could say I’m in hospitality and tourism. But I’m not in Cozy Creek for that. My time here is a vacation, not business related at all,” he admits, reaching for the door of Bookers and holding it open for me. Alex follows behind me with his fingers softly pressed against my back, staying close. The lights are lowered after the sun sets and the room glows golden.

I slide into one of my favorite booths away from the crowd, giving us some privacy so we can speak freely without being overhead. Alex sits in front of me and the leather-bound menus are passed to us. “May I grab you a whiskey or a margarita?”

It’s busy tonight, but nothing out of the normal for this time of the year.

Alex glances at me, allowing me to order first.

“I’d like to start with a water,” I say, glancing down at the menu full of autumn inspired brews.

“I’ll do the same,” Alex says.

The server walks away and I twist it around so he can see what they have on tap.

“Pumpkin beer?” he asks with a brow popped.

“It’s an Oktoberfest thing one microbrewery outside of town makes each year. It’s actually great. One of my favorites.”

He watches me with his fingers interlocked. I hold back a smile, focusing back on the list of drinks. I don’t mind being the center of his attention, but it makes me nervous.

“You’re intense,” I say, not looking at him.

“I’ve been told that before,” he states.

The server sets our drinks down. “Want a few minutes?”

I nod, meeting his gaze, and she leaves us.

“Thanks again for the phone.”

“So you’re keeping it?” One of his brows arch.

“Huh?” There is no way he knows about the conversation I had with Julie and Blaire earlier. “How’d you kn?—”

He smirks, glancing at the appetizer list. “I can easily read you.”

I mutter. “I’m usually not that easy to figure out.”

“That’s tragic for you then. Guess those games you like to play won’t work on me.” He flips the page like he’s reading a magazine.

“Excuse me?”

He meets my eyes. “I feel like I know you. I can look at you and know exactly what you’re thinking. And I shouldn’t.”

“No, you can’t,” I say, but I wonder if he can.

He closes the menu. “You feel the invisible tug. I know you do. It's written on your face.”

My throat goes dry. I nervously grab at my water and clumsily knock it over. I stand, somehow avoiding getting wet, and Alex grabs the stack of napkins, using them to stop it from leaking over on his side.

“You can sit right here.” He pats beside him.

I look around for someone to help with this mess before embarrassment takes over, but the restaurant is busy.

I move next to him, scooting close, blocking him against the wall like he did to me. It’s like a lifetime has passed since the moment he walked into that coffee shop.

“You didn’t have to make a mess to be close,” he says, moving my hair over my shoulder. His fingertips brush against my neck and a gasp escapes me.

“You're right,” I blurt out. “I do feel it.”

“I know,” he says, but before we can continue this conversation, my attention is being ripped away by a familiar voice calling my name.

When I turn, I see dark eyes and messy sun-bleached hair.

“Sebastian?” My voice goes up an octave. He’s the last person I expected to see here.

“Hey, Autie.” He gives me his boyish grin, the one that used to reduce me to a puddle on the floor, but it oddly doesn't work. “I was hoping to see you.”

“Aren’t you supposed to be in Canada?” I ask, realizing I'm actually immune to him, like the blindfold has been removed.

“I’m back. I couldn’t stay away from Cozy Creek…or you,” he explains, smiling. “I’ve missed you.”

“Uh.” I grow uncomfortable.

Alex clears his throat, bringing the attention to himself. Sebastian briefly narrows his eyes, then ignores his existence and focuses back on me.

“How do you know Zane?” His voice is accusatory and he sounds angry.

I glance at Alex, confused, and feel his entire demeanor shift. His jaw locks tight and he might rip Sebastian’s throat out if he says another word.

“Are you together?” Sebastian asks. I don't appreciate his tone. Or the way he's interrupting our dinner, like I owe him five minutes of my time.

“Actually, we are,” I confidently say, glancing at Alex, meeting his eyes and begging him to play along. If he really can read me, it needs to be right now. A second later, he wraps his arm around me, brushing his fingers against my arm. “Happily,” I add.

“Best decision of my life,” Alex says, tucking loose strands of hair behind my ear. It’s the perfect touch.

Then he glares Sebastian directly in the eye and speaks. “And I’m going to marry her one day.”

I chuckle. “Oh, really?”

“Absolutely,” he states. He’s too damn good at lying, because for a brief second, I believe him. But then I remember—just friends. He's doing me a solid favor and I will owe him one after this.

When I turn back to Sebastian, the color drains from his face. His reaction is one of the most satisfying things I’ve witnessed in two fucking years. Even though it’s a lie, telling it was one hundred percent worth it.