Page 34 of Fall I Want
I light a few candles and turn on a lamp. As I cook dinner and drink a glass of wine, my cell buzzes on the counter. I pop a sautéed mushroom into my mouth and glance down at the screen.
Alex Alexander
Message Received
My heart does a somersault and I take a pause, sitting in it.
It’s been years since I’ve felt that rush of excitement travel through my body and I’m scared shitless.
I read his text.
Alex
And what should I program you into my phone as?
I glance up at what I sent, noticing I didn’t say my name.
Autumn
How many random people have you given your number to?
Alex
Hm. Several.
Autumn
Really?
My brows furrow.
Alex
Just one very stubborn woman.
A smile dances across my lips.
Alex
Thanks for the pumpkin bread.
Autumn
I can’t wait for you to try it.
Alex
I already did. It’s the best I’ve ever had.
I take a sip of wine, rereading his last text, realizing I’m smiling as I lean against the counter while I cook. Chatting with him is easy.Too easy.I imagine him standing in his kitchen in that T-shirt with messy hair, wearing a cute little smirk.
Before I can reply, the fire alarm screams out in protest.
It startles me and I drop my phone onto the tile floor. Instead of picking it up, I remove the pan from the heat and flick on the box fan I keep plugged in for this very reason and open the window again. The ventilation is awful in this small space. I’ve set it off by boiling water, so it doesn’t take much.
I stand on a stool and use the handle of my broom to press in the button on the smoke detector to make the high-pitched squeal stop. It double beeps, then turns off. I move my food from the skillet onto a plate. Thankfully, it’s still edible.
The chicken breast, spinach, and roasted tomatoes smell heavenly. My cell is still face down on the floor and I pick it up, only to find my screen is shattered.
