Page 35 of Snake

GAH. I want the pretty boy, but I don’t want the

boy bullshit.

Autumn’s romantic life had never been particularly busy or various. She’d had a boyfriend in high school, a couple during college, and only one since she’d finished her MBA. Her high-school boyfriend, Sean, was still her longest relationship ever, clocking in at two years and three months. Three of her relationships had been good enough, with fairly amicable partings when things ran their course. Miles, the last, had been controlling and eventually abusive. They’d come to a fiery, painful end, and to this day, she wasn’t sure when she’d be ready to make herself that vulnerable to anyone again. Maybe never.

She hadn’t been in a serious relationship in more than three years, and she hadn’t even dated anyone long enough to have sex with—meaning at least two dates—in almost two years.

Mostly she was a spectator to Ida’s romantic escapades. Her ability to give good counsel was therefore limited.

We’ve reached the end of my wisdom, babe.

You know I’m clueless about this stuff.

You’re not clueless. You’ve closed up shop.

BIIIIG difference.

A frequent refrain from Ida, and a sore spot for Autumn.

Gotta go.

Okay. Sorry I made you mad.

Love you, girl.

Ida was good at apologies. Simple and direct, with nary a ‘but’ in sight.

Love you too. You and me, old and grey.

Tormenting the orderlies in the unruly seniors wing. xx

Autumn got up from the table and got busy putting herself together for a day spent convincing Signal Bend, Missouri to welcome the first Heartland Homestead development into the fold.

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~oOo~

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She was dressed and ready to leave the inn before noon. Not completely recovered from her hangover, but well enough to fake it. Doing her makeup and hair, covering the bruise on her neck, and putting on a cute outfit helped get her back to fighting trim. She leaned into the ‘Spring Fling’ vibe with a pair of skinny jeans in a terra cotta hue, a navy cotton blouse with a ditsy floral pattern, and her cognac Ferragamo wedges. She tossed a crème cashmere sweater over her shoulders and was ready for the day.

Since the opening festivities for the Spring Fling didn’t begin for a few more hours, she called the mayor’s office and arranged to meet with Mark Kennerman to discuss next steps—and she asked him to invite Badger Ness to the meeting as well.

She’d been prepared to discover another biker in the lobby, waiting to stalk her all day, but the lobby was empty. Not until she stood at the foot of the stairs and considered the empty room before her did she register that she’d been hoping to see Cox waiting. Disappointment throbbed faintly in her chest.

But he wasn’t waiting; no one was. That meant she was free, at least for now. Best make the most of it.

On the short drive to town hall, she saw lots of townspeople putting finishing touches on their Spring Fling setup, and several of those townspeople were Horde. It was Friday, technically a work day, but Mark had informed her that Signal Bend Construction took the day off before any big town event, so they could finish their own setup and be available to help where they were needed.

Big damn heroes, those bikers.

Slowing to turn into the small parking lot beside the town hall, she saw Cox standing near the edge of the park. Three young men, about high-school age, stood before him, listening intently to whatever he was saying—and Cox appeared to be giving them a full-on lecture. Already Autumn knew him enough to be surprised to see that.

As she passed him, he looked over just then, and their eyes met.

Another weird throb in her chest. She summoned all her will and rejected the compulsion to look away immediately. But then he looked away, and the ache in her chest became disappointment and humiliation again.

If she could manage to get through this weekend without ever being face to face with him, she would consider that a win. It was an unlikely result, but she meant to aim at it.

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