Page 33 of Promised Love

“But I thought—” He swallows. “You’re twenty-two now, and you guys were in touch the whole time…”

Hearing Jasper’s words, my pulse trips. What did he think would happen?

Now that Autumn is twenty-two, suddenly this becomes right?

“Our age—Autumn’s age—doesn’t change anything,” I tell him.

She jerks her head in a nod, clearly on board with my thoughts.

Jasper looks at me for a long beat before turning to his daughter. “Then I’d suggest you guys wait until you’re completely healed.” His head cocks toward my arm in its sling. “You’ll have to move a little farther than St. Peppers for Autumn’s grandmother to not come after you.” His lips curl into a small smile, but we all know there’s some truth in his words. “She takes this promise very seriously, Lukas.”

I give him a terse nod.

Jasper leaves after telling us we should come up with a plan but also keep the grandparents’ feelings in mind.

“I’ll go and see that all’s okay in the inn,” Autumn says before she approaches my side of the bed. “These are the numbers for room service and the restaurant.”

She shows me a small card, and my eyes focus on her long fingers. Her painted nails, each in a different color, once again mess with my head. The rainbow colors are youthful, but the sophistication of her neat, manicured hands reminds me she’s no longer a teen.

Once she leaves, I think about everything that’s happened in the last few days.

Jasper’s words ring in my ears. I don’t know how long the memories of my mother will remain with me or if I ever want them to leave me. But when I close my eyes the next time, I imagine how life would have been if she were still here by some miracle.

Maybe it’s this place, but I can’t help but wonder how different our lives would have been if Mom had married Autumn’s uncle.

Fuck, Lukas, what the hell are you thinking?

I rub my face and release a tired groan. This isn’t what I’m here for. I need to recover and give Autumn her independence.

With a renewed purpose, I swing my legs out of the bed. I fucking hate to acknowledge even to myself that the drive has tuckered me out. I lumber toward the bathroom. On the way, I scan the coffee table, which has strawberries and champagne behind the huge flower arrangement.

Autumn’s grandma is crazy.

And if I was feeling an ounce of guilt for that thought, it evaporates as soon as I walk inside the bathroom.

The bathtub is filled with water and topped with flower petals and floating candles.

How is this not a fire hazard?

There’s soft lighting, and I feel like I’ve just stepped into a fucking perfume store.

There are more flowers beside the two sinks. I ignore everything and take a leak. On my way out, I blow out the candles.

I’m about to call for coffee when the door opens and Autumn storms in. There’s a coffee cup in her hand, which she pushes toward me.

“Sorry. I thought you might want some coffee,” she says, but the grim line on her face doesn’t relax. “You wouldn’t believe what I’m about to tell you.”

“I was in the bathroom. There’s nothing I’d find unbelievable anymore.”

She grimaces. “Yes. I forgot to warn you about that.”

I’m about to tell her that it’s dangerous to leave lit candles, but I stop at the last minute. She’s fuming at whatever happened outside. I can relay the fire safety instructions later.

“Tell me what happened. But first, let’s sit.” I flop onto the couch, but she doesn’t take a seat. Instead, she paces the floor.

“The inn is booked solid for a complete month. Even the cottage.”

“What the fuck?” I leap off the couch. Since her grandmother dropped the bomb that we have to stay together, Autumn proposed I could stay at the cottage, as it’s not being used for guests yet.

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