Page 22 of Sins of Autumn

“Don’t even think about it,” I warned him. He let out a small huff, but he stayed put.

Naija emerged from the kitchen carrying the bubbling dish of her infamous mac and cheese, golden and crusted with breadcrumbs. Behind her, Cherish followed with a pitcher of sweet tea in one hand and a bottle of 1800 in the other.

We were gonna pay the price for mixing all these liquors.

“What else?” she asked, glancing around the table. She’d changed into a loose sweater and joggers, her long black hair pulled back into a sleek ponytail.

“Gravy!” Naija said, spinning on her heel and disappearing back into the kitchen.

As the dishes came together, the table looked like something out of a cozy autumn magazine spread. The roasted chicken was the centerpiece, golden and crispy, surrounded by roasted vegetables—carrots, Brussels sprouts, and sweet potatoes glistening with olive oil and herbs. There was the mac and cheese, the garlic bread, and the salad I’d thrown together with spinach, arugula, cherry tomatoes, and cucumbers, all lightly dressed. A bowl of creamy mashed potatoes sat at one end, next to the gravy boat Naija returned with, and a plate of steamed green beans at the other.

“Damn, this looks good,” Jason said as he set down the last of the chairs to make room for everyone. “You guys went all out. It’s like a pre-thanksgiving.”

“That’s what happens when you put Naija in charge of the kitchen,” Daniella chirped.

She pointed at Naija. “You’re a culinary goddess, babe.”

“Tell me something I don’t know,” Naija retorted with a grin, setting the gravy down next to the potatoes. She vanished then reappeared with the box she’d been talking about, which was really just an old shoe carton. “Alright, people, phones up.”

One by one, we dropped them into. Liza and Daniella went first, followed by Jason and Ryan, then Cherish. I hesitated for a moment, my thumb brushing over my screen, before finally letting go and adding it to the pile.

Naija raised her glass once everyone was seated. “Here’s to good food, good company, and forgetting about all the bullshit for the weekend.”

“Hear, hear,” Daniella chimed, clinking her glass against Naija’s before turning to the rest of us. “Now, let’s eat before it gets cold.”

Conversation flowed, and the atmosphere around the dining table grew warm and easy.

Moose had settled at my feet, occasionally glancing up with big, hopeful eyes.

He was waiting for someone to drop a crumb. I may have snuck him one or two.

“So,” Jason began, leaning back in his chair, his drink in hand. “What do you do for work now, Autumn? You always seemed like someone who’d end up doing something cool.”

I smiled faintly. “I do content strategy and brand consulting for a few companies. It’s flexible, so I can work from wherever, and it pays really well. Not exactly glamorous, but I like it.”

His brows lifted. “That actually sounds amazing. Flexible, good pay. What’s not to like?”

Daniella leaned in, smirking as she poured herself yet another drink. The girl was throwing them back. “Autumn’s probably making more than all of us combined.”

I rolled my eyes, though I couldn’t help but laugh. “It’s not like that. I just got lucky landing a couple of decent contracts.”

“Well, good for you,” Naija said, her locs swaying as she nodded. I could tell she meant it. “Working online sounds like a dream. I can barely handle my nine-to-five as it is.”

“Same,” Liza added, glancing up from her chicken. “I’d kill for something like that. What’s the secret?”

“Networking,” I replied with a shrug. “And maybe a little bit of timing. A lot of it is just knowing how to pitch yourself, honestly.”

“That makes sense,” Ryan said, his tone thoughtful. “I mean, you always were sharp. Guess that hasn’t changed.”

Daniella grinned. “Someone’s enamored.”

He chuckled. “Just calling it like I see it.”

Naija leaned forward. “So, is it weird working from home all the time? Like, don’t you get bored or lonely?”

“Sometimes,” I admitted, “but I stay busy enough that it’s not too bad. And, honestly, the flexibility makes up for it. I can work in my pajamas if I want to, so that’s a win.”

“Okay, that’s a serious perk,” Liza agreed with a grin. “I’d trade my commute for that any day.”

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