Page 22 of Falling for Autumn Again

But I can’t do that. Phil chose to invest everything he had and start up his own company, while I was handpicked by Elevating Environments. I spent a year figuring out the place was shady. Successful, sure, but dishonest in all of their dealings. Then, I spent the next three trying to change things. I failed. And then, I quit. I’ve spent the last six months submitting resumes after meticulously combing through companies. I can’t make the same mistake again.

Phil spent four years struggling with a start-up business and is finally having success. I'm not going to ease in after choosing a different direction. He can handle his clientele. Maybe when his company grows and he's truly ready to hire someone, I'll be interested.

But right now, I fear I’d just be taking business away from him. And after dealing with Elevating Environments, I won’t do that.

Me: This is going to work out. And then, one of my resumes will pan out. We both know you don’t need me.

Phil: Of course I don’t. I am amazing all on my own, but I want you.

Me: Amazing and humble.

Phil: What are you going to do?

Me: My job.

My job. That’s it. I’m here for a job and I’m going to do it.

Phil: I meant about Autumn.

I know what he meant. I don’t have an answer for that,though. So, I’ll focus on work. Simple as that. And if I’m lucky, in the middle of work, I’ll squeeze a few answers out of her.

I step outside my little house and lean against the porch wall, looking right into the green bungalow next door.

The blinds are up and I can see inside clear as day. Autumn sits at a table, mug in hand, talking to Meg, who sits across from her. Her lips part into a grin. Lips that I remember the sweetness of all too well.

She grew up. I guess that happens after a decade.

She gives Meg a smile—though it’s sort of sad—then sips from her mug.

My heart jolts as if someone just hit me with a defibrillator.

Okay, so maybe it’s not assimpleas I thought.

I watch as her fingers trace over her delicate earlobe, tucking a stray hair behind her ear.

Nope. Not simple at all. I know Autumn has kept secrets from me. And now that I’m here, I’m not going anywhere until I’ve learned them all.

Chapter Ten

Ezra

I linger on my porch,phone in hand, as if I were browsing the web and enjoying the Wyoming fall air… but really I’m waiting them out. Someone will have to come out of that house at some point—right?

Autumn has work and Meg surely has a life not on the farm. What are they doing in there anyway? Is Meg renting the place? Is Autumn? Do they live in that bungalow together?

I am patient. I’m like the dead—I have nowhere to go.

And then—Meg emerges…

She walks right by the front of my house, her eyes forward and on a mission. She’ll not be distracted.Dang.

I have no other choice. I hop from the one-step porch and skip toward her. “Hey,” I call out.

She turns her head to see me, eyes red.

“Oh, hey,” I say a little softer. “Are you okay?”

She sniffs. “Yeah,” she says. “I’m just late. I’m leading another meeting this evening.” She peers down at her watch. “One that started five minutes ago.”

---