Page 27 of Fall I Want
I have doubts. I may leave Cozy Hollow and fly to London instead.
Harper
You’re attracted to her.
Alexander
I’m not having this discussion with my little sister. It’s fucking weird.
Harper
I need to meet her and make sure she’s the one. All the others I’ve met, I knew within ten seconds they weren’t for you.
Alexander
Great, I’d like to avoid walking red flags from now on.
Harper
Deal. And if I don’t approve?
Alexander
I won’t propose.
Harper
Oooh! I can’t wait to pick out the perfect sister-in-law for me.
Alexander
As long as you’re happy.
My sister knows I’m not currently searching for a romantic relationship, even if she predicted I’d fall in love here. I’m convinced it would take someone very special to break this curse.
I set my phone on the hood and finish eating. Afterward, I place my hands behind my head and watch the clouds float across the sky while breathing in the fresh mountain air. For once, I want to live and experience the life I’ve missed out on. I have to stop mourning a life I’ve never had and change the one I have. I crave things money can’t buy—happiness and true love.
Yellow leaves fall from the trees and it pulls my attention away. In a month, winter winds will carry the first sprinkle of powder. Being here for the first snowfall is one thing I’m looking forward to experiencing this year.
I close my eyes as the sun warms my skin and I sprint through happy memories. Loss is deeply rooted inside of me and I’m afraidit’s tethered to my heart. Life would be easier if I were the heartless bastard people believe I am.
I’m okay with the rumors. It stopped me from having to entertain people I never liked but dealt with because of the company I kept. I’m exhausted from floating through the world as a ghost of myself, but there is no escaping reality when my close relationships are braided so tightly together.
I sit upright, sucking in a lungful of fresh air before taking the long road home.
Time slips away from me, and two hours later, I drive through the gate at Hollow Manor. I continue down the paved driveway. It’s smoother than the washboarded roads I’ve traveled down today. The tires roll on the pavement like I’m driving on glass.
When I pass the house, I notice something hanging on the front door.
I park in the garage, close it, then walk straight to the front porch. A plastic bag is looped on the knob and I remove it. Once inside, I set it on the counter, pulling out something wrapped in brown paper. A note is tucked under the ribbon that’s tied in a cute bow.
I pull it out, skeptical.
My eyes scan over the neat handwriting on the orange stationery.
Alex,
I thought you could use some pumpkin bread to cheer you up since you seemed sad. So I made you a loaf using my family’s secret recipe. You’ll never get a slice during the season if you keep showing up to Cozy Coffee after seven. :)
