Nick
On the way. Also, just got the guest list from Autumn. Tonight will be very interesting.
Julie
Um … in a good way?
Nick
My brothers are at Hollow Manor now.
Julie
Oh, so it’s like a family reunion?
Nick
I told them to behave. See you in a minute!
Blaire points to the door. “I’ll see you there, okay?”
“Yes. Thank you for everything!”
“Happy for you. Find out about the clone, okay?” She snickers, and a minute later, I hear the front door click closed.
I put on some makeup and curl my hair to give it some volume.The lingerie is a secret against my skin, and the burgundy dress, paired with these boots, makes me feel confident. Blaire was right. She has a sixth sense for picking the right outfits.
When Nick picks me up, he does a double take. “Wow. Stunning. Fall queen.”
“A nickname I will happily take.”
I lock up, and he interlocks his fingers with mine as we walk to the Range Rover. I shouldn’t like it when he claims me for the world to see, but I do. Then I remember that part is fake. Isn’t it?
It’s like he senses my mood shift. “What?”
“Fake?” I ask.
He glances down to our hands and shakes his head. Then he’s pulling me into his arms, walking closer, taking up the entire sidewalk. “I don’t want anyone thinking you’re anyone’s but mine.”
The sidewalks are much busier than they were last week.
“And the lines keep blurring,” I mutter with a smirk.
“Babe, I never had a line. That’s yours that’s blurring,” he says, and my heart does a pitter-patter.
We navigate through the crowds of festivalgoers to his vehicle that’s parked across the street. Nick steals glances at me as much as he can. Sometimes, I catch him, and other times, I pretend not to notice.
He opens my door for me, and I climb in. Before he walks away, he leans forward, sliding his lips against mine. I melt into him, running my fingers through his hair at the back of his neck.
“What are you doing to me?” he asks.
“Teaching you how to live a little,” I tell him, and he immediately smiles, brushing his thumb against my cheek.
“You’re my favorite part of fall,” he says, kissing me again.
Moments later, he’s moving to the driver’s side. He cranks the engine. After he reverses, he takes my hand, and we drive away.
“Should I be nervous about meeting your brothers?” I ask.
