Page 41 of Promised Love

I’ll go back to the bathroom.

Do you need my help?

While I’m trying to find an appropriate reply, Lukas’ gaze travels from my face to my polka-dot fleece pajamas. My night clothes aren’t at all sexy. In fact, if I had to rate them, they would be somewhere in the negative on the sexiness index.

But…under his hot stare, I feel like I’m wearing the sexiest lingerie in the whole world.

I’m still held in a foreign state of daze, where my body is hypersensitive but my mind is losing every sense, when Lukas looks away. From the way his body shakes as he releases a loud breath, I know whatever I felt, he did too.

“Good night, Autumn,” he says in a hoarse voice before throwing the T-shirt onto the chair and getting into the bed.

The weather isn’t suited for sleeping naked, but all our rooms have heat, so I’m sure Lukas won’t be cold. Plus, as I walk toward the couch, where he’s placed a pillow and duvet for me, I can’t stop hoping I’ll get a good look at those abs in the morning.

But when I wake up at the sound of my alarm clock, I’m a tiny bit disheartened. Lukas is nowhere in the room.

Did he not sleep well?

Thankfully, my question is answered soon.

I swipe my phone to silence my alarm, which is the sound of chirping birds, and there’s a text waiting for me.

Lukas: I’m in the gym.

There’s another text, sent several seconds later, as if he was wondering why the hell he was reporting to me about his day.

Lukas: In case you’re looking for me.

But for some reason, it brings a smile to my face.

I quickly get ready for the day and put on my lavender pullover. I love wearing pastel shades in winter. I’m brushing my hair when I notice the white scrunchie on the dresser.

My brain immediately goes back to last night on the porch, when I pulled up my hair. There was a flicker of something in Lukas’ gaze. It was the same thing I saw when our eyes locked under the golden glow of the lamp.

My mouth goes dry, but before my poor brain can imagine more, my cell phone vibrates on the dresser.

It’s a text from Chiara.

Chiara: You’re back. WITH HIM.

Chiara: He’s in our town and you didn’t tell me. What the hell, Auttie? I’m coming to the inn right now.

I quickly tie my hair into a loose bun and leave the room. I need coffee before I can face the freight train that’s my best friend.

I reach the kitchen, and before I push open the swinging door, I can already smell the coffee and sweet breakfast.

“Hey, kiddo,” Suzie says from where she’s chopping something on the cutting board. Dressed as always in her double-breasted sky-blue coat and skipping her toque for a printed bandana that hides her gray hair, she’s one of the nicest and bubbliest people I’ve ever known. Suzie is almost my mom’s age and worked at the inn before I was born. She’s not exactly an employee at this stage but more like my mom’s best friend.

“Here.” She hands me a plate of pancakes and squeezes a good amount of syrup on top before placing a handful of pecans over that. “Nuts are good for young girls like you.”

I hear Chiara’s voice as the door swings open once again. “Of course she needs her energy now.”

“Hi, kiddo. There’s coffee in the pot, and I’ll get you a plate.” Suzie has already turned away, making breakfast for Chiara, who rests her fists on her waist.

“Why didn’t you tell me you were back? Why didn’t you tell me he was here?”

“It was weird and strange, Chi.”

“What are you girls arguing about?” Suzie returns with Chiara’s breakfast.

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