Page 106 of The Autumn We Fell in Love

“I meant what I said,” Xander murmurs, slipping behind me to wrap one arm around me, gazing in the mirror. “You look amazing. And,” he rummages behind me for a moment, then produces a box, pressing it into my grasp, “I thought you might want these.”

I look down at the box resting in my palms, then meet his eyes in the mirror. “What is it?”

He grins. “Open it and see.” Both his hands are on my low belly now, his chin resting on my shoulder.

I follow his command — and gasp. Coiled in the small box is an exquisite string of pearls. “Oh, Xander,” I breathe, taking in the beauty before me, “you shouldn’t have.”

“They belonged to my grandmother. I want you to have them.”

I’m suddenly trembling. “I can’t—“

He takes my chin in his hand and gently forces me to meet his gaze. “You can. They’re yours. For good.”

I’m speechless, struggling to find the right words —anywords — and coming up empty.

In the space of my silence, Xander plucks the pearls from their nest and drapes them around my neck. “There. Now you’re an even better Holly Golightly.”

I turn, throwing my arms around his neck. “And you’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

“Better than Paul was for Holly?”

I kiss him. “Way better.”

A few moments later, we’re bundled up in Xander’s truck, heading for downtown Deadwood. I draw a deep breath, and when I release it, the exhalation shudders and jumps.

Xander reaches across to rest a hand on my thigh. “You okay?”

I shake my head. “Just nervous. You said that the whole town will be there?”

He shrugs. “That’s how it usually is. The Bison throws the best damn Halloween party in town.” He glances at me. “I’m sure it’s nothing compared to what you’ve seen in New York. But it’s big news for around here.”

I cover his hand with mine. “I’m sure it’ll be perfect.”I hope, I add silently. My parents will be there, and if the whole town really does turn out for this party, then Xander’s mom will be there too, and maybe his brother.

It’s a big night. For me, at least.

I glance at Xander and correct myself. Forus.

We roll up to The Bison and sure enough, it looks like it’s bursting at the seams with Halloween revelers. Xander finds a parking spot eight blocks away and we hurry through the cold to the warmth of the bar’s interior.

The place is packed. There’s Halloween dance music blaring, and the whole place is lit by blacklight.

Xander yells something at me. I shake my head and point to my ears — it’s so loud in here, I have no idea what he said.

He leans in, speaking right into my ear. “You want a drink?”

I nod, and together we fight our way through the crowd to the bar.

It’s Hannah who serves us, the same woman who begged me to fill a spot in the Find Your Boo speed dating event, done up in a floor-length black cape and a black wig. She beams when she sees us, baring her faux vampire fangs.

“Oh my gosh, you two!” she shrieks over the noise. “My favorite Deadwood couple. Drinks are on me.” She pushes two glasses across the bar, thick purple liquid sloshing over the sides, a pair of florescent plastic spiders perched on the rims.

I eye mine dubiously. “What is it?” I practically shout.

“Witch’s brew,” she yells back, wiggling her eyebrows.

Clinking glasses with Xander, I take a sip — and have to force myself to swallow it down. I’m hit by a sudden urge to vomit. I turn away so Hannah can’t see, but Xander doesn’t miss a thing.

“Are you okay?” he asks, a hand on my low back, eyes examining me as he leads me away from the bar.

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