Page 60 of Promised Love

“She’s actually a secret stepsister. Her mother was a groupie. Rest of the family learned about her only after Papa Bruno’s death.”

“Fucking rock stars and their secrets.”

I ignore Gavin’s groan because who am I to judge someone on hiding things?

“The Brunos have gone to great lengths to keep her existence under wraps. We need someone from our core group to shadow her.”

“Great. Now we’ve got nothing better to do than babysit rock stars and their shy sisters.” He releases a heavy sigh. “Who do you have in mind?”

“You.”

“Don’t fuck with me, Lukas,” he bellows.

By now, I’m used to Gavin King’s tantrums. “I’m not. You’re perfect for the job.”

“And you’re crazy.” Gavin ends the call, not surprising me at all.

I spend another forty minutes in the town square, dawdling in the streets of Cherrywood, going from one shop to another. Everything is only in three colors: pink, red, and white.

I stop outside of a familiar sign for Hawthorne Bakery. It’s my friend Oscar’s grandmother’s bakery.

I walk in and realize this place is no different than the rest of the town.

“What can I get you, sir?”

“Um, can I get some muffins to go? Possibly something a little less festive, less pink.”

The barista snickers. “Sorry. We tend to be excited about festivals and celebrations in Cherrywood. I think you’ll have a lot of trouble finding anything outside Valentine’s Day colors right now.”

Fucking great. I look at all the pink pastries, which remind me of Autumn’s rosy cheeks from last night when she was plastered against me around the fire.

I grab my neck, still not wanting to leave the shop empty-handed. “Then pack me some assorted muffins, please.”

With a muffin box in hand, which has pink and red hearts all over it, I call for a cab.

I find Chiara at the reception desk. Her eyes widen as she spots the pink box in my hand. Is it my imagination or does her smile looks loaded today?

Has Autumn told her about our kiss?

Why wouldn’t she? You told Zane, and Autumn would be more confused than you.

“It seems as if someone painted the town in pink and red,” I drawl, trying to act calm, though inside, I’m anything but.

Chiara giggles. “Of course. People live for festivals in Cherrywood. We’re late with the decorations this time, as Autumn is distracted with…other things.” She raises her eyebrow, cocking her head toward me.

Yeah, she’s making it perfectly clear I’m that distraction.

“Auttie is in her office in case you’re looking for her.”

My steps fucking shake as I make my way to Autumn’s half-opened office door.

When I knock, her gaze flies from her laptop screen to me.

My pulse ratchets up several notches in a fraction of a second. Fuck, why does she look so different today? Take off those sex-deprived glasses, Spencer.

I place the muffin box onto the table and she gasps. “You got me…a special Valentine’s Day box from Hawthorne Bakery?”

“What?” I look between her and the box. “No, I just wanted to apologize.”

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