Page 69 of The Autumn We Fell in Love

Damn my cheeks. I can feel them grow three shades darker, belying how Laurent’s words fill my belly with butterflies all over again.

Even though they shouldn’t. Even though he hurt me.

I want him.

He apologized.

He came back.

He showed up for what he promised, even if he came late.

These things all matter. A lot, in fact.

But are they enough to make up for this morning’s disappearing act?

I glance at the investors. They’re still talking, but more quietly and with more nodding than a few minutes ago.

Spinning on my seat, I face Laurent head-on. “I don’t need you.”

He winces. My heart staggers seeing the pain I’m causing him, but I hold my ground. “I know,” he says, nodding “You really don’t.”

I allow my hand to find his, just like it did that first night at the club when I pitched my fake boyfriend arrangement and he said yes. Our fingertips brush and I shiver at the power in that innocuous touch. Sliding my palm into his feels like coming home.

“But I want you,” I say, choking on the sudden emotion in my voice. “I don’t know if I’m a fool for still wanting you, but I do.”

He squeezes my hand. Tears fill my eyes. “I don’t think you’re a fool,” he murmurs. “I want you too, Shira, and I hate how I betrayed your trust.”

My body hinges forward at the waist of its own volition, responding to my primal need to be closer to Laurent, always closer. “Make it up to me by never hurting me like that again?”

He seizes my waist. My insides turn molten at the sensation of his fingers pressing into my flesh. “I can’t promise I’ll be perfect,” he rasps, stroking my belly with both thumbs, “but I can promise I’ll always respect you and always try to make my stupid mistakes right.”

I can’t hold back. I lean into him, lips parted. He meets me halfway, crushing his mouth to mine, sealing his vow with powerful kisses that make me dizzy in the best way.

When he pulls away, we’re both breathless, and we’re both grinning like idiots at each other.

“Well, looks like Mr. Blush showed up after all,” comes a voice.

Laurent and I turn as one to face the newly returned investors. “You’re the guy we’ve been waiting to meet,” says the lead with a sneer.

“And you’re the guys I’m here to watch get owned by this brilliant woman,” Laurent replies smoothly, nodding at me. He settles back in his chair, arms crossed over his chest. My heart grows two sizes as he turns to me and winks, clearly yielding the floor to me.

When I look at the lead investor, I’m pleased to see his sneer frozen on his face, eyes full of doubt.

“Now,” I say, waving at the investors to take their seats, “what do you have to offer me and Blush?”

The lead opens his mouth, but before he can get a word out, I lean forward, eyes narrowing. “And let me be clear,” I all but hiss. “I expect you to offer the world, because that’s what this app is worth.”

He opens his mouth, then shuts it. He opens it once more, throat bobbing soundlessly. Finally, he sighs, shoulders slumping.

“We’ll give you anything you want, Ms. Meade,” he says, all his former bluster gone. His colleagues, equally cowed, nod.

I smile and lace my fingers together, knowing I’ve won. “Excellent. Here’s what I’m thinking.”

Epilogue

Laurent

Two Years Later

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