Page 49 of Fall I Want
“We can discuss it tomorrow night.”
People pass us on the sidewalk as we stand outside of her place. I overhear their chatter about the pumpkin patch and having apple cider.
“I’m glad I found you,” I say to her, looking forward to the day when we’re no longer strangers. It’s easy to imagine a whole life with her.
“You say it like I was lost.”
“You were.” The mood grows slightly serious and I have the urge to kiss her when she looks up at me like that. The same look she gave me the first time we met and back in her apartment. I want to know what she sees when she wears that expression. I have to know.
“I should go,” I whisper, placing my hand on her shoulder, stopping whatever could happen.
“Yeah,” she says, and we both instinctively take a step away from one another, then laugh.
The connection is deeper than I’d imagined it could be. “Good night,” I say.
“Good night,” she tells me, then walks up the stairs to her loft. Before walking in, she smiles.
The black cloud that’s been hanging over me temporarily disappears.
Roxie was wrong. I’m not off-script, I’m currently writing it.
Finally, I’m in control.
Chapter 11
Autumn
I’m up before my alarm sounds.
I turn it off before the high-pitched song scares the shit out of me. As I do that, a notification flashes across the screen.
Alex Alexander
Message Received
Before I do anything, I change his contact to Zane Alexander, then I go to his message. It’s a voice note.
“Good morning, Pumpkin. Since you want to get to know me, I thought each day after I wake up, I’ll share a few fun facts with you until you’re caught up with all things about me. My birthday is on September twenty-second and I’m turning thirty-eight. This is also my favorite season. What about you?”
The roughness in his tone is sexy, but I push those thoughts away.
I click the button and record a message for him.
“Good morning. I’ve never sent messages like this before so bear with me. My birthday is on October thirty-first and fall is my favorite too. Winter is a strong second. How’d you sleep last night? See any ghosts? I hope you have a good day. Tonight, I’m yours, right? I think your name was on my calendar for today and tomorrow. I’mexcited to spend your birthday with you. Maybe it will be a new tradition.”
I climb out of bed and jump in the shower, needing to wake up. I turn on my music and step under the hot stream. It pounds against my skin and I stand there until the water turns cold.
After I’m finished, I wrap a towel around my hair and my body and see I have another message.
“No ghosts, unless I can count the thoughts of you. Also, I think my name is on your calendar for eternity.” He clears his throat and lowers his voice. “Anyway, I hope you have an incredible day. I’ll see you soon. Oh, also, if you want to keep calling me Alex, you can. However, I love it when you say my name, too.”
When I pass the mirror, I realize I’m smiling. I take two steps backward and look at myself, wondering if it’s believable that the two of us could be together.
I click the button to record.
“I don’t think you’re supposed to flirt with your friends.”
Send.
