Page 6 of Let Me

I blink out of my trance, stand up, and say, “You made it.”

“Yeah, I did.”

I’m so mesmerized by her, my hands twitch with desire as I fight the urge to run my thumb across those beauty marks on her face.

She smiles again, probably wondering why I’m just standing here like I’ve lost my voice.

I have.

I’m in awe, enraptured by her radiance.

“Ay, Judah, who’s your friend?”I hear Nico ask.I’m glad he did because otherwise, I don’t think my eyes would’ve released babygirl.

I tell her, “Let me introduce you to my people.”

I clear my throat to get their attention then say, “Everyone, this is my friend, Autumn.Autumn, this is the crew.”

“Hi, everybody.”

“Hey, Autumn,” they say, welcoming her and then just as quickly resume conversing, dancing, and drinking.

“So, Autumn, can you come sit with me for a minute?”

“Sure.”

I invite her to sit in the camp chair, and I sit on the stump that’s right beside it.

“Uh…” I rub my sweaty palms on the pant legs of my jeans and try to conjure up words.That’s how breathtaking she is.And she smells like vanilla and cotton candy – sweet, soft, and warm.

She asks, “Do you all do this regularly?”

“Yes, we do.”

“This is nice.I love the outdoors.”

“You do?”

“Yeah.I’m a nature girl.”

“I bet your love of nature doesn’t come with a side of smoke.”

She bellows a laugh.“No, it doesn’t, but this is okay.We’re still outside, so…”

“Yeah,” I say.My palms are no longer sweaty, but my heart is still unsteady.“What do you do for work?”I ask to keep the conversation flowing.

“I’m an administrative assistant at the recreation center.You?”

“I work at my parents’ grocery store.I’m a bagger.”

She grins.“No, you’re not.”

“I am.Really.”

“Earlier today when I saw you, you had on a suit.”

“I had just gotten off work.The store is within walking distance of the ice cream shop.”

“Oh.”

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