“It always is.” He studies me. “But isn’t that the fun part? Figuring it out?”
We exchange smiles.
“Meeting Autumn changed my life. Coming here was one of the best things I’ve ever done. I learned a lot about what matters and doesn’t. You’ll figure it out. A Banks always gets what he wants.”
This makes me chuckle. “Fuck off.”
“Oh, it’s true though. It’s something I’ve always admired about you. If you want something, you commit and work until you have it.” He drinks. “Even my fiancée.”
“You’re never going to let me live that down, are you?” I ask, shaking my head.
“Not on your fucking life,” he says, cocky as hell.
“You’re a bastard,” I say.
“Yeah, I might be, but at least I didn’t haveyoursloppy seconds. But,” he continues, “thank you. I’m so glad you saved me from marrying her. If all that horrible shit hadn’t gone down, I wouldn’thave come here and met Autumn. It was because of you and her that I left. I mourned our friendship more than my relationship.”
“I did too,” I admit.
“It’s like you took one for the team,” he says.
“I never thought of it like that. I’m not a victim, but she took advantage of me when I was at my weakest,” I tell him.
“I know. And while I give you shit, I’ve forgiven you. You know that, right? I’m not pissed. I like giving you a hard time because it makes you squirm like a little bitch. But I meant what I said earlier; you’re like a brother to me. I’m thrilled that you’re here. I’ve missed you.”
“You have such a great way of showing it,” I say.
“Piss off,” he says, chugging the rest of his beer. “What are your plans tonight?”
“I want to do something special for Julie. Stargazing maybe? Any place with water?”
Zane’s eyes light up. “I have the perfect location. But you’ll need my side-by-side to get there. There’s a trail behind my house that cuts into another trail that has this natural-fed lake from a spring. I found it and brought Autumn there once. Other people know about it, apparently, but it’s secluded. You’d hear someone coming.”
He pulls out his phone, showing me a map.
“Wow. That’s perfect.”
“Park at Hollow Manor, and I’ll lend you my side-by-side. I’ll park it at the trailhead with the keys in it when I get home.” He stands, then pauses. “It doesn’t surprise me that you have a thing for her. She’s exactly like my wife. They could be the same person. Actually, Julie is sassier, which is just what you need. But be careful with her, okay? I can’t clean up your mess if you make one.”
“I don’t plan on ruining this.”
“I know, but she’s Autumn’s best friend, and she’s a really good person. Just don’t play the usual games you play. And know that Jules won’t leave Cozy Creek. That coffee shop is her family’s legacy. Make sure you understand what you’re getting yourselfinto. It’s a big commitment, and I don’t know if you’ve gotten over thatdating for thirty days and drop them flatbullshit.”
It makes me chuckle. “I’m working on it. We’ve talked about it. The two of us are on the same page. On October thirty-first, we’ll decide what happens. We’ll end it there or continue seeing one another. Clean break. Clear ending. I’m spending the next few weeks discovering who I am and figuring out if she is the person I want to spend the rest of my life with. I’m tired of games. I want a reason to live my life. I’ve been miserable,” I admit.
“Hey, I get it,” he says. “Last year, when I arrived, I sat in silence for two days. I remember staring up at the sky, wondering if that was all there was to life. I felt … lost. Then Autumn found me. Being here changed me, and it looks like it’s changing you too. Mom always said the mountain air could cure anything.”
“I miss your mom,” I say quietly.
“I do too,” he tells me. “You know, I’ve found letters that she wrote for me, hidden all over the house.”
“Wow,” I say. “I wish I had letters from Eden.”
“Your sister would be happy for you,” he says. “Eden would love that you’re here, enjoying the pumpkins.”
I feel that burn in my nose, and I clench my jaw. Sometimes, when I think about her, it catches me.
“Moving away from the city worked for me. I’m happier, closer to the slopes,” he admits. “You can make anything work, Nick.”
