Page 74 of Promised Love

“Of course you do, you control freak.”

“Don’t tell me you hate my controlling nature. I’ll have to drag you back to the suite to prove otherwise.”

I don’t know what, but in these two days, something has shifted between Autumn and me. My heart is lighter and more carefree than it has been for as long as I can remember.

She rolls her eyes but fails to bite back her smile as I turn on the ignition.

We’re a few minutes into the drive when she asks, “Do you still have your bike?”

“You remember my Harley?” I look at her for a split second before bringing my attention back to the street.

“It was a witness to our wedding.” She chuckles and then softly adds, “I thought at that time, even if this wedding is nonsense, my husband is cool.”

Hearing the word husband sends a jolt throughout my body. I’m at a loss for words. The silence stretches in the car for a few beats, until I break it. “I’ll remember to take you for a ride.”

I park in the parking lot of Little Italy and spot Zane’s Bugatti in the next row.

The hostess leads us to our reserved seats, where Vienna and Zane are seated next to each other, looking at something on Zane’s phone. When we stop at the table, they both glance up.

“Hi, guys. It’s so nice to finally meet you, Autumn.” Vienna smiles as we settle across from them.

“Thank you so much for meeting us.” Autumn straightens her small folder on the table.

“Believe me, we’re all so excited to learn more about you.”

“Y-you all?” Autumn stammers, glancing at me before she looks back at Vienna.

“Lukas is like a long-lost brother to these Teager boys,” Vienna says. “Zander, Zane’s eldest brother, was so pissed off when we heard about you. Nobody had the slightest clue you existed.” Vienna cocks an eyebrow toward me. “You’re quite a secret keeper.”

“We’re here on serious business, Vi. Can we tend to that first? I can talk about my secret-keeping capabilities later.” Or never.

“You be prepared for that.” Vienna hits a button on her phone, and seconds later, my cell phone vibrates. I look up to see a text notification from Rose.

Rose: Hi, Lukas. Would you and Autumn like to join us for dinner some Friday? We would really like to meet her. But there's no pressure.

Fuck! The Teager family has sent their sharpest weapon my way. Rose is as sweet as they come. There’s no way I can reject her invitation.

Lukas: We’ll be happy to join you sometime. I’ll talk to Autumn and let you know.

While I reply to Rose, Autumn opens her iPad notes. “I’m really sorry to ask this, but would you be willing to sign an NDA?”

“Of course. I’m dying to know who the celebrity couple is.” Vienna picks up the pen and signs the paper Autumn places before her.

Once the paperwork is done, Autumn takes a deep breath and then gives Vienna a wide smile. “It’s Maddy,” she whispers.

“No way!” Vienna squeals. “Our family is a huge Bruno Bros fan, and Maya is the sweetest. At least it seems so from her social media.”

Autumn nods. “She is. They’re an amazing couple, so down to earth. And she’s in love with your work.”

“Pinch me, Zane. Pinch me.” Vienna turns to her husband, and my best friend kisses her instead.

Autumn and Vienna continue to throw ideas at each other, making some random notes on paper and saving images on the iPad. Meanwhile, our food arrives and Zane and I have to intermittently remind the girls to eat. It’s almost surreal to see Autumn fit so well into my life. It’s as if she were here with me all this time.

Zane follows me out of the restaurant while the girls are still talking, and I light a cigarette.

“How is-s it going?” he asks.

“Okay,” I reply after taking a puff.

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