“Fair point. The Landing.”
“See. It’s still a surprise,” she said, wagging her brows at me. She watched the city streaking by as I made the short drive. I caught a glimpse of her as much as I could. “I say this every time I leave campus, but why don’t I get out more?”
“I’ll take you all over the city during break. You’re off work all week?” I asked, and she nodded.
“I would love that.”
“Here we are,” I said, whipping into a parking space. “This is my favorite place near campus.”
I watched her take it in, from the relaxed atmosphere to the outdoor patio. She smiled. “I like it.”
I held the door open for her, held her hand, and did all the things she deserved before stepping up to the hostess stand. The young girl looked between Autumn and me, her eyes lingering on me. I hoped Autumn didn’t notice because it was weird as shit.
“How many?” she asked.
“Two,” I said, slinging my arm over Autumn’s shoulder. The hostess grabbed two menus and walked in front of us. She sat us at small table on the patio near a heater and I thanked her. The light rain that plagued Washington State constantly had started, adding to the already- cold weather.
“You’re not in Texas anymore,” I said as Autumn rubbed her arms.
“That’s the best thing I’ve heard all day,” she said, giggling.
“That bad? I’ve actually never been.”
She shrugged her shoulders. “It’s just really hot. And full of my Missing posters,” she whispered, trying to play it off as a joke.
“Autumn, you’re turning 20 in a few days. No one thinks you ran away. Your dad knows you needed to get away.”
She shook her head, frustrated. Then looked down at her menu and I knew I had messed up. “You don’t know him.”
Reaching out across the table, I took her hands in mine. “Hey, I shouldn’t have said anything. Let’s not let him ruin the date.”
“I brought it up. Joking helps. You either don’t survive it, or you come out with a great sense of humor.”
“Where do I fit into that equation?” I asked, loving that I could carry on with her.
“Well, you’re pretty to look at.” I howled with laughter as the server walked up. Autumn told me to pick my favorite for her to try and I did. The server wrote down our orders and immediately brought us our beer.
“Do I look old enough?” she whispered, her eyes darting between me and the server.
“You’re gorgeous,” I said simply, shrugging my shoulder. She rolled her eyes. “I can’t blame the guy. I would give you beer.”
“You do,” she deadpanned.
“Fair enough.”
“Speaking of age,” she said, leaning closer to the table. I chugged my beer, knowing where this was going. “Spill everything. What does Gabby have planned?”
“Just a surprise party at the house. She is only invited, like, 10 people. It’s nothing to stress over.”
She gave me a pointed look. “I know how people just show up there.”
I set my beer down, nodding. “Gabby is actually terrifying for a small girl. She threatened everyone not to invite a lot of people, not to talk, and everyone has to bring sentimental gifts.”
Her face dropped to her hands. “Sentimental gifts? What does that even mean for your friends?”
“I would hate to find out.” I laughed.
“Swear you’ll tell me if anything changes?” she asked, holding my gaze.
“Swear,” I said, hooking my pinky with hers, laughing.
“Pinky swears are real, Liam. Nothing to laugh about.”
Our food was delivered, and she raved about how amazing the burger was. I listened to her talk about school and work and her friendship with Gabby. I even helped her clean up when the pickles fell out of her burger and onto her shirt.
I loved this.
I loved listening to her.
I loved her laugh.
I loved… all of it.
Thirty
“Autumn?” Gabby said, knocking on my dorm room door. I slapped on my best confused face before opening the door. She was looking at me from behind her dark-rimmed glasses. Her hair was pulled into a bun and she wore leggings and a simple blue tee.
“Hey Gabby,” I said, holding the door open wide for her to pass through. She waltzed in, beaming with excitement. “Why are you so happy? It’s freaking me out.”
She laughed once. “It’s Thanksgiving break! Oh, and the boys want us to come over tonight. I thought we could get our hair and nails done. That sounds fun, right?”
I knew I had to go along with it. I simply shrugged my shoulders, trying to match her happiness. “Sure thing.”
I plucked a few items from my closet, throwing a hoodie on before grabbing a small side satchel. Checking my phone, I noticed I had a warning text from Liam. A little late, but sweet. And then everything Josie said came slamming into me like a ton of bricks.
As amazing as he may be, sometimes I had a nagging feeling I didn’t deserve this. Maybe I wasn’t good enough for him. Whatever my reason, be it that I was teased all my life or that we came from completely different families, I shoved it in the back of my mind. It was just my insecurities speaking. And they spoke loudly. Thanks a lot, Josie.
In the car Gabby was bubbly, telling me every detail of her magical relationship with Tyler. I nodded when needed, even smiling. But part of me wished I shared her confidence.
“You okay, Autumn?”
“Oh, yeah. Just the holidays will be weird this year, I guess,” I said, stumbling on any excuse I could to divert my thoughts. I felt vulnerable around Liam, not that he intentionally did it. I’d just never let my guard down around anyone, and that was what scared me.
“You can come to my place for Thanksgiving, you know.”
I nodded appreciatively. “I know. Thank you. I’ll probably catch up on schoolwork.”
“Are you sure that’s everything?” she asked, watching me quizzically. We pulled into a large
