Page 72 of Time For You
The bite of burger lodged in my throat and I covered my mouth with the napkin as I coughed.
“Sorry. That, um, girl’s name is Autumn. “
“She’s really pretty.”
“I think so, too.”
“Can I meet her?”
“Why?”
“I don’t know. I mean, I don’t have many girlfriends. Well, friends at all.”
This was it. This was going to be the moment where she either asked for money or begged to live with me to gain some sort of celebrity status.
“Why is that?” I asked more sternly than I intended. It was clear that I hurt her feelings when her eyes grew to the size of saucers.
“Oh. . .I just mean. . .Money, er,”
The chair screeched against the floor as I shot up, slamming my fists on the table. Thank goodness the chain restaurant was mostly deserted.
“Of course. You came here wanting money.”
“No! No,” she cried out, shaking her hand in a stop motion. “No, please sit down, Colton, and let me explain.” When I hesitated, she begged again. Slowly, I returned to my seat and pushed my burger aside. Any appetite I may have had early had quickly dissolved away.
“When my mom passed away, she left me a hefty inheritance from her life insurance policy. I had no idea it existed. When my so-called friends found out, they became leeches. Asking me for money, pretending they wanted me to join them for dinner only to leave before the check came and I was left to pay for it all. Just, not the kind of things friends do. So, when I started at the university, I kept to myself mostly.”
“That really happened to you?” I asked the question, but I already knew the answer. It was clear with the way she flung her hands around, speaking so animatedly.
“Yes.”
“I’m sorry I jumped to conclusions. I’ve just been burned before by people wanting something from me.”
“I get it. I’d probably have done the same.”
My appetite hadn’t returned, so I sipped my beer while Sadie finished her meal.
“You’d like Autumn. She’s funny and so fucking smart.”
“Is she prettier than in the pictures?”
“They don’t do her justice at all,” I explained, tearing at the edge of the paper wrapped around the neck of the beer bottle.
“You really love her, don’t you?”
“Love?” I asked, the bottle nearly falling over on the table as my hand jerked at the shocking accusation.
“It’s clear as day. She sounds awesome. What does she do?”
Did I love Autumn? I mean, I knew I liked her and enjoyed the time we spent together, but what did I know of love? It was something I’d never experienced before.
“She’s a. . .well, she was an event planner. She was fired by her douchebag ex and came back home. I actually met her the day I arrived in Ashfield.”
“Aw, that’s adorable.”
“Thanks,” I replied wryly, then gulped down the last sip of my beer.
The server brought the check and I grabbed the black folder before Sadie could attempt it. The girl even huffed with her arms crossed tightly against her chest. Like she was ever going to get to pay for this meal.
