Page 82 of Fall I Want
Zane closes his menu. “I’ll have the same.”
When we’re left alone, I get up and slide next to him. Instinctively, he wraps his arm around me and pulls me in close. “You smell amazing.”
I smile, taking a hot sip of my coffee as his fingers trail against my skin. Goosebumps cover me and he glances down at them.
“Hm” is all he says.
“Autumn!” Mrs. Mooney yells, joining us. She grins wide. “Is this him?”
“I’m confused,” I say, glancing at Zane.
“The man you had us put a love spell on. Alex?”
My face burns red.
“Actually, yes. It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Zane says, holding out his hand toward her. She gently takes it and he gives her a smile.
“Honey, he’s cute. Total boyfriend material. I can’t wait to tell your mama about him later tonight at our little shindig,” she says.
“Mrs. Mooney,” I say as my entire body catches on fire with embarrassment.
Zane chuckles beside me, picking up his cup of coffee. I can tell he’s enjoying this conversation as I die a little inside.
I huff. “Please don’t meddle. I want the right to tell my parents I’m with someone first.”
“After last night, I think the whole town knows.”
“What do you mean?” I ask, feeling like I don’t have the full story.
She pulls out her cell phone, squinting as she types. Moments later, she turns and shows me the town’s official private group on social media.
A picture of Zane and me kissing at the patch is pinned to the top. The text says:Someone add them to the Pumpkin King and Queen ballot.
I flick my finger down her screen and speed-read the comments. My name was dropped and everyone is calling Zane either Alexander or Alex.
I gasp. “This is bad. How do I get it removed?”
“You need to contact the admins.”
Then I see the number of likes it has on it. Thousands.
“Anyway, I am gonna put you on the ballot. You’ll be at the ball, right?”
“Yes,” Zane says before I can even process, and Mrs. Mooney stands, wearing a large, toothy smile. “Our love spell worked!”
She walks away and I turn to him. “We have to go to my parents’ house directly after breakfast.”
“Why?”
“You have to meet my mom and dad before this spreads around town. I don’t want them to think I’ve kept you a secret. They’ll take it personally.”
Our breakfast is slid in front of us in record time, considering how busy they are.
“Let’s go, then. The last thing I want to do is piss off my future in-laws,” he says, chuckling, picking up a crispy slice of bacon and biting into it.
Chapter 19
Zane
