Page 46 of Fall I Want
“No excuse. I can’t stand liars, almost as much as I can’t stand Sebastian Holmes.”
Her lips slightly part when I say his name. “How do you know him?”
“We used to snowboard together.”
The server walks over and sees the water and ice everywhere.
“Oh no, did you spill any on you?” She glances over us.
“No, no, we’re fine. But, I think I’d like a double shot of tequila with salt and a lime,” Autumn says.
“Make it two,” I add.
“Sure, I’ll have someone clean up this mess and get those drinks.”
When we’re alone again, she turns back to me. “I dated him for six years of my life. Often, I think I gave him my best years.”
My nostrils flare as I study her, because he’s a known fuckboy and always has been. Autumn deserves better.
She shakes her head like she can read my mind. “He broke me. I haven–”
We’re interrupted by a few people mopping the spill and wipingthe table with dry cloths. I’m tempted to ask everyone to leave us, but they make quick work of it. Both of us wait patiently to be left alone and I regret coming here. I should’ve cooked her a nice meal, but I wanted her to be comfortable. Bookers is safe and public, and doesn’t give off the wrong impression.
Our tequila is set in front of us.
“You told him we were dating,” I say as her eyes sparkle.
“I shouldn’t have done that, but it slipped. Thank you for rescuing me. I didn’t want it to seem like I’ve not moved on.”
“Have you?” I ask.
“I’m trying,” she says, picking up her shot.
I grab mine. “We should toast to us.”
For a second, she hesitates, then smiles. “To us.”
We clink the edges of our glasses together and salt falls onto the table. We shoot the tequila back, lick the rim, then bite the juicy lime. Autumn does a little wiggle and I can tell she’s lost in her head.
“I haven’t been with anyone since him,” she blurts out. “You’re actually the first man I’ve even been to dinner with.”
“I’m sorry you had an awful experience.” I want to apologize for everything that stupid fuck did to her, but I don’t say that out loud.
I remember when Sebastian broke up with his girlfriend and moved to our Canadian location to teach.
The silence lingers.
“Do you still love him?” I shake my head. “Apologies. You don’t have to answer that.”
“No, it’s fine,” she says, tracing the rim of the glass with her finger. “Love and hate, two powerful emotions, and I’ve felt both for him over the years. When I saw him again, I thought I’d have a different reaction.”
I nod, listening. “Was it a good one?”
“No.” Autumn moves to the other side of the booth so we canchat with one another more easily. I miss her closeness but prefer being able to look into her eyes.
The server returns to take our order.
“Want to share a platter of nachos?” Autumn asks.
