Page 106 of Autumn on My Mind

“Question.” It’s Ari. “You’re going to be at the wedding tonight, right?”

“Of course I am,” I say, turning onto Main.

“And Dominic will be there too?”

“Yeah. We’re driving over together.”

“Great.”

My eyes narrow in suspicion when I hear the satisfaction in her voice. “Why do you ask?”

“No reason,” she says, a perfectly cheerful lie. “See you later.”

And then she hangs up, not even waiting for me to say goodbye. I lower my phone slowly, my brows furrowing. I trust Ari, but disconcertion still twinges in my chest at the odd question.

Lunch is sufficient enough distraction for me. I grab a maple-glazed burger from the Maple Bar and Grill, and then I walk up and down Main a bit. I pop into Berk’s and pester Nathan, who’s looking a little glum; all he’ll say is that long-distance relationships suck. He’s not much of a chatter person, and he tends to keep his private affairs…well, private, but usually I can get more out of him than this. I hang out there for a while and stock some inventory; then I head back to Dom’s shed and settle again on the couch, right in the trusty butt imprint I left behind. My work grows less and less efficient as the hours roll on, and I’m flooded with tired relief when it finally comes time to get ready for the wedding.

When I moved out of Nathan’s house, I did not deem a curling iron important enough to bring along. I pin my hair back at the sides, though, adjusting everything until it looks nice. Then I put on some mascara and eyeliner—waterproof, of course, because I have learned my lesson. I make faces at myself in the mirror for a second, for which I have no explanation, and after looking at the time, I call Dom.

“About ready to go?” I say, craning my neck to see out the window of the shed.

“Yeah,” he says. “I’ll be down in a minute. Meet me at the truck in five.”

I wait a few moments and then hurry barefoot across the lawn, heels dangling from one hand until I reach the driveway. Then I slip them on, straightening back up just as Dom steps out of the back door.

He isn’t looking at me; he’s frowning down at his shirt, adjusting who knows what as he tugs at the sleeves. Then he begins his confident stride toward the truck, his gaze trained on the ground.

We don’t make eye contact until he reaches the driveway. His steps slow as he glances up, footsteps silent on the concrete until he’s right in front of me.

He blinks, his lips parting as his gaze skates up and down my body. “Oh,” he finally says.

This single syllable—said by this man, in this tone, with this expression—is a full sentence.

“Thank you,” I say, and even though I smile, I can feel my cheeks heating too.

It’s lovely to know my bold choice paid off.

Dom pulls his eyes away from me rubs the back of his neck, drawing my attention to the hidden necklace. “Are you ready to go?”

“Almost,” I say as an even bolder idea than the dress pops into my mind. I take a few steps closer until I’m standing right in front of him.

He watches me suspiciously, but suspicion turns into surprise when I reach up and slip gentle hands around the back of his neck.

“Berkeley—” he says as my fingers brush against his skin. A muscle jumps in his jaw. “What are you doing?”

Despite his question, he doesn’t move. He stays perfectly still. I’m not even sure he’s breathing, and when I trail my thumb up behind his ear, his eyes flutter closed like he’s in pain.

“Berkeley,” he says again, a note of warning in his voice now.

I make quick work of the necklace clasp and hold it up to dangle in front of his face. “There,” I say with satisfaction.

His eyes open, and the second he sees the necklace in my hand, he reaches for it.

But I loop it around my neck, and his fingers find the feather charm as it’s settling against my skin. He lets his arm drop to his side, his eyes darkening as he looks at me. Then he leans closer and tilts his head to speak into my ear.

“Consider carefully before you start playing games,” he breathes, and I shiver as his lips brush over my skin.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I lie.