Page 43 of Promised Love

I motion around. “I’m sure our gym is a serious downgrade from what you’re used to.”

“It has everything that’s needed to exercise, and that’s what matters.” Lukas shrugs, making me sweat.

Why am I suddenly so nervous around him?

Is it because I saw him without a T-shirt last night? That’s nonsense. I’m acting like I haven’t been around a man before.

He interrupts my thoughts. “I’m going to go take a shower. Will it be possible to have some coffee in the room?”

Once he’s out of sight, Chiara whispers, “Are you really sure he’s just a stranger?”

She doesn’t know how many times I’ve asked myself the same question in the last few days.

14

LUKAS

When I’m finally ready in twice the time I usually need, there’s a knock on the door. My heart jumps, fearing it’s her, hoping it’s her, and it both relaxes and deflates at the sight of a man dressed in one of the staff uniforms.

“Mr. Spencer, I have your coffee and breakfast.”

I let him in and he sets down the tray with a coffee carafe and a covered plate.

“Do you need anything else, sir?”

I shake my head, and the young man leaves. It feels weird to be treated like a guest at the inn, even though that’s probably what I am.

Fuck. I should have given him a tip.

I run my fingers through my hair. I’ll go mad if I sit here with no work. In an attempt to preserve my sanity, I dial Connor’s number.

He picks up after two rings. “Hey, man. How are you?”

“I need some work, Connor. You can’t keep me away like this.”

“I’m not keeping you away, Spencer. Until we get the man behind the attack, I want you out of St. Peppers. No one knows about you and Autumn, including us. Cherrywood is the safest place for now. How are things there, anyway?”

The king-sized bed I’d slept in is perfectly made, whereas the couch is wrinkled, with her unfolded duvet spread out.

“What is it?” Connor asks when I don’t reply for a few seconds.

I flop down on the couch. “Her grandma put us in one room. She’s adamant that Autumn and I stay together. I wouldn’t be surprised if she someday decides to glue us together just to ensure we spend as much time as possible by the other’s side.”

Connor chuckles. “That woman is something. What are you going to do next?”

“We’ll file for divorce,” I reply mechanically. He’s quiet for a while, and when the silence becomes too much, I ask, “What?”

“It’s very easy to give up the happiness at hand in hope of something better, Lukas. Cherishing what we already have is the tougher job, and something where most men fail.”

The vulnerability in Connor’s voice surprises me, but he doesn’t know this happiness in my life isn’t mine. “I don’t have much choice, Connor. This is for her good.”

“Before you decide what’s good for her, talk to her. That’s all I’m saying.”

I hum in agreement, and we end the call. My mind is still fettered by his words, by this place. Almost in a daze, I pour myself a cup of coffee and pull off the cloche. My head jerks at the sight of the coconut macaroons, the delicious cookies she sent me in my first ever care package.

* * *

From: autumnthefallqueen

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