Page 128 of Must Have Been Love

He smirks at me. “Not sure yet. Thought I’d hang around and watch the fun.”

“What fun are you watching?” I ask. “Another cartoon on your TikTok feed?”

His grin widens. “Nope. I’m talking about my brother finally learning to grovel.”

“I’m assuming you don’t mean Wyatt.”

He smiles. “Man, I’m loving it. You’re so transparent. Do you think I don’t know that it was you who wrote those song lyrics on the sand with rocks yesterday? They’re the talk of the town.”

I shrug. I don’t care what he knows. “Even if you don’t have work to do, I do. I’m gonna take Ayda for a shower and then grab one myself.” I put a coffee pod in the machine, because after an early start like this, I need as much caffeine as I can get. “What are your plans today?” I ask. “Looking at flights back home?”

“You trying to get rid of me, bro?”

“I just don’t want to stand in the way of you and your career.”

The smile almost slips from his face. And I know there’s more to his prolonged visit than meets the eye. But like me, Asher learned from an early age to keep his cards close to his chest.

And I can’t solve everybody’s problems. I’m taking Dr. Methi’s words to heart. Asher is a grown up, let him sort himself out.

I have my own life to get back on track.

That’s why, after some morning meetings and another visit with Ayda’s speech therapist, I pack us both up in the car and drive over to the lighthouse. I park on the gravel road that leads up to it, next to Autumn’s car, and once Ayda is out of her car seat we both walk up to the door.

“Okay, I need to do a bit of groveling to Aunt Autumn. You got my back?”

She nods, though I can tell she has no idea what I’m talking about. I rap the brass knocker on the huge oak door, and a minute later Autumn opens it.

“Hi.” Her voice is wary. Then she sees Ayda and a huge smile breaks out on her face. “Hello sweetie,” she says, hunkering down to hug her niece. “I hear you’ve been talking.”

Ayda shrugs. She hasn’t said anything more yet, but the speech therapist told me to give it time. She thinks it’ll happen very soon.

“Come inside,” Autumn says. “Parker is feeling better now. He’s in the kitchen, if you point at the cookie jar he’ll know what to do.”

Ayda does as she’s told, skipping through the door and into the main living area. The kitchen is at the back, in an extension to the lighthouse. Autumn designed the entire interior, and it’s pretty impressive.

“So,” she says, folding her arms over her chest, looking at me expectantly.

“So.” I swallow. “I’m sorry.”

“For what?”

To be honest, I’m not exactly sure. “For upsetting your friend.”

Her eyes light up. “Have you told her that?”

“I have. But not enough. And not nearly for long enough.” I take a deep breath. “That’s why I’m here. I need your help to win her back.”

If there’s one thing I know about Autumn, it’s that she likes to get involved. And she loves to help.

“I really, really need it,” I say, because I know she’s going to revel in this. “And I’d be so appreciative if you could.”

“Will you owe me?” she asks, trying not to grin.

“Big time.”

“Excellent. And you’ll actually listen to me for once? Because if we’re doing this, we’re doing it my way.”

I clear my throat. “I may have already started, but yes, of course I’ll listen. That’s why I’m here. I need a woman’s perspective.”

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