Page 37 of Fall I Want
“A title I’llhappilytake,” I say.
Blaire submits my order and seconds later, the printer that’s located three feet away spits out a sticker. Autumn rips it off and reads it as Julie stands behind her chuckling. When I pass in front of the espresso machines, I steal a glance at Autumn.
That’s when I notice her long dark hair is pulled back into a thick braid. Loose strands fall around her face as she looks up at me. I don’t stop to chat even though I’m tempted.
I really just want to be friends. That’s it.
I stand beside the condiment station where the extra milk and napkins are kept and patiently wait. Every table in the building is taken with people actually talking to one another as they drink their coffee. It’s almost shocking to see. Back in New York, most would be buried in their laptops or phones, unaware that there is an entire world around them.
My thoughts travel back to my father, knowing he’s called me twice today. I don’t know what he could want, other than to make sure I’ll be at his wedding. If it were leaked that I didn’t show, it would be a scandal.
Autumn moves to the end of the counter, carrying my drink. Her tongue darts out and she licks her plump mauve lips.
“Ristretto for Alex,” she says sweetly, meeting my eyes.
I take three steps forward, noticing her earrings—they’re black cats with dangly legs and paws.
“Cute,” I tell her, sliding my gaze from her eyes to her mouth. She hands the cup to me and our fingers brush together, just as they did the first time I ordered. My heart pounds a little harder.
“Blaire made them,” she says.
“I wasn’t talking about the earrings,” I say, low enough for only her to hear, and her cheeks heat.
“Please taste your ristretto and let me know if it’s up to your standards.” Her brow is popped and it’s flirty.
“Hm.” I read the side. The sticker says:He’s all yours, Autie. Ristretto.
No mention of her not fucking it up.
“I’m all yours?”
“Blaire is facetious. Do you know what that word means?”
“Of course I do.”
She quickly recovers. “They’re playing matchmaker because of you.”
“Me?” I question. “I’ve done nothing.”
“You exist,” she whispers. “That’s all it takes.”
Maybe she seems familiar because I see shards of myself in her.
I place the rim to my lips and sip the hot liquid caffeine, tasting the thick crema. “It’s perfect.Very good.”
Her heart rate ticks rapidly in her neck. I think Autumn likes to be praised. My jaw clenches and I breathe in deeply, noticing her friends glancing between us.
“You should text me,” I say.
“My screen is cracked,” she reminds me.
“Oh, that’s right.”
“You should call me,” she snaps back. If I push, she pulls, and we dance this dance, but I can tell she doesn’t chase anyone. A woman like her doesn’t have to.
“Should I call you Autie?” I say her nickname out loud. It’s adorable.
“Actually, you should call her Pumpkin,” Julie says, nudging Autumn in the side.
