Page 44 of Fall I Want
I move next to him, scooting close, blocking him against the wall like he did to me. It’s like a lifetime has passed since the moment he walked into that coffee shop.
“You didn’t have to make a mess to be close,” he says, moving my hair over my shoulder. His fingertips brush against my neck and a gasp escapes me.
“You’re right,” I blurt out. “I do feel it.”
“I know,” he says, but before we can continue this conversation, my attention is being ripped away by a familiar voice calling my name.
When I turn, I see dark eyes and messy sun-bleached hair.
“Sebastian?” My voice goes up an octave. He’s the last person I expected to see here.
“Hey, Autie.” He gives me his boyish grin, the one that used to reduce me to a puddle on the floor, but it oddly doesn’t work. “I was hoping to see you.”
“Aren’t you supposed to be in Canada?” I ask, realizing I’m actually immune to him, like the blindfold has been removed.
“I’m back. I couldn’t stay away from Cozy Hollow... or you,” he explains, smiling. “I’ve missed you.”
“Uh.” I grow uncomfortable.
Alex clears his throat, bringing the attention to himself. Sebastian briefly narrows his eyes, then ignores his existence and focuses back on me.
“How do you know Zane?” His voice is accusatory and he sounds angry.
I glance at Alex, confused, and feel his entire demeanor shift. His jaw locks tight and he might rip Sebastian’s throat out if he says another word.
“Are you together?” Sebastian asks. I don’t appreciate his tone. Or the way he’s interrupting our dinner, like I owe him five minutes of my time.
“Actually, we are,” I confidently say, glancing at Alex, meeting his eyes and begging him to play along. If he really can read me, it needs to be right now. A second later, he wraps his arm around me, brushing his fingers against my arm. “Happily,” I add.
“Best decision of my life,” Alex says, tucking loose strands of hair behind my ear. It’s the perfect touch.
Then he glares at Sebastian directly in the eye and speaks. “And I’m going to marry her one day.”
I chuckle. “Oh, really?”
“Absolutely,” he states. He’s too damn good at lying, because for a brief second, I believe him. But then I remember—just friends. He’s doing me a solid favor and I will owe him one after this.
When I turn back to Sebastian, the color drains from his face. His reaction is one of the most satisfying things I’ve witnessed in two fucking years. Even though it’s a lie, telling it was one hundred percent worth it.
Chapter 10
Zane
Autumn leans against me like I’ll keep her safe, and in this moment, I absolutely will.
“Can we talk soon?” Sebastian lowers his voice and asks her, keeping his gaze on her.
“Fuck no,” I say, not giving her the chance to answer. “She doesn’t want to speak to you.”
“Autumn can speak for herself,” he seethes, glancing back at her.
“No thank you,” she states. “I have nothing to discuss with you.Wewanted to see other people, right? I’ve moved on. Clearly.”
“With Zane Alexander?” He pretends like I’m not here. “You haven’t. Trust me.”
“You know what I just realized?” Autumn laughs at him. “Had you not broken up with me, Zane and I would’ve never met. Wow. Appreciate thatsomuch.”
The sarcasm is fucking harsh, but I don’t blame her acting this way toward an ex, especially him. But I also realize exactly what she said, and damn, I want to hear my first name come from her lips again.
