Page 133 of Fall I Want
She’ll walk into your life when you try to escape. She’ll speak of the dreams she had about you. They are you. Astral projections of yourself to your twin flame. Mirrored souls.
She gasps. “You’re right.”
“Harper has never been wrong,” I explain as we move to a bench in front of the show. During the day, this area is bustling with tourists trying to get a good view of one of the most spectacular attractions in the city, if I do say so myself.
Autumn takes a bite of her pineapple pizza. “Mm. So good. Your turn.”
“Only because you want me to,” I say, tasting it. “It’s okay.”
“My favorite is better,” she says, opening the box of pizza and exchanging it for a pineapple-free slice. She folds it in half like a true New Yorker and takes a bite. “This is the good stuff.”
“It’s great,” I say, handing her a napkin and snagging a piece for myself. Just as the minute hand hits the top of the hour, the lights come on.
Autumn’s eyes go wide. “They’re actually doing it.”
“Of course they are,” I say, almost wishing I could’ve heard that conversation. “They understood the assignment.”
“You could be dangerous with all that power.”
“But instead, I use it for good,” I say. “Enjoy, Pumpkin. This is just for you.”
The pool drains a couple inches and when the first cannon goes off, Autumn nearly drops her pizza. The booms clap against the walls. During the day, it’s not quite as loud.
We eat until we’re full, and have a ton left over for later.
Random people stop and stare, noting the time. It’s unusual, I have to admit, but worth every string I had to pull to make it happen. I’m sure my father will have some strong words for me tomorrow.
Autumn watches in amazement as the water shoots up a thousand feet into the air, dancing across the way like elegant ballerinas to classical music.
“Wow,” she says as the colored lights change. After the final show, the display goes dark, like it never happened.
“That was incredible,” she tells me. “I always wanted to see that and never got the chance. The one at the resort in Cozy Hollow, it’s almost identical. Other than the scale.”
“Yes, because I’ve been fascinated with it since I was a kid. So,when my father announced opening a state-of-the-art restaurant, my mother required a miniature version to be added just for me.”
“Aww,” Autumn says. “That’s special.”
We walk back to the penthouse, and I scoot the gigantic box of pizza into the fridge. It’s nearly impossible, considering it was freshly stocked for our last-minute arrival.
Autumn yawns.
“Let’s go to sleep,” I say, and she leads the way upstairs.
We remove our clothes down to our underwear and slide under the cool blankets. I wrap my arm around her and press against her, our bodies molding together.
I let out a contented sigh.
“Viva Las Vegas,” she whispers, and I glance at the ring sparkling in the low-lit room. Screens from the surrounding buildings splash different colors across the space, even though they’re distant.
I smell her skin then whisper in her ear, “I love you, Autumn. You’re my everything.”
“I love you too. I can’t wait to marry you.” A smile touches her lips before she turns and kisses me. I don’t want this moment to end, even as exhaustion takes over.
“Thank you for loving me,” she whispers.
“Thank you for allowing me to.” I hold her tighter, never wanting to let her go. Tonight, I’ll fall asleep with a smile on my face. Tomorrow, this woman will be my wife, the first day of forever.
Chapter 30
