Page 46 of Picture Perfect

“Goodnight, Autumn.” But it isn’t. I had said too many of the wrong things. Felt too many of them, too.Are we getting too close? Can I keep this from getting emotional? Can I stop my dick from reacting to her ass?

Probably not.

I lay on my back to avoid the offending erection from pressing against her, click the lights off, and try to fall asleep. But I have too many bad questions with no good answers, and nothing is squelching them.

Maybe the only answer is to keep breathing her in while I have her in my bed. It’s a fleeting thing, after all, one night only. Better to appreciate it while I can, like I should have done all the nights I’d had with Stacy.

I lace my fingers with Autumn’s and fall asleep in an instant.

17

Rowan

The air is filled with the tantalizing aroma of fresh seafood and the sound of waves crashing against the shore. As guests arrive at my parents’ sprawling oceanfront estate, they are greeted by the sight of a lavish tent adorned with twinkling lights and rustic wooden tables, all set against the backdrop of the vast, shimmering sea. In Somerset, the Cargill family clam bake is the best way to cap off the summer.

“This happens every year?” Autumn asks when we walk in.

I smile and nod. “Yep. Every summer.”

Servers in crisp white uniforms move gracefully around the party, carrying trays of ice-cold champagne and serving platters of succulent lobster, steaming clams, and plump mussels, all freshly caught and cooked to perfection. The scent of melted butter and lemon zest hangs thick in the air, and the sounds of laughter and chatter fill the space as guests indulge in the luxurious feast.

When the sun sets over the water, a live band takes the stage, playing a lively mix of traditional sea shanties and upbeat contemporary tunes that has guests of all ages tapping their feet and swaying to the rhythm. The dance floor soon becomes a lively hub of activity, with guests twirling and spinning under the stars.

In addition to my entire family, a hundred of my parents’ nearest and dearest are in attendance. To avoid suspicion, we part ways for a little bit and mingle with the crowd. Quickly, I find myself surrounded by my brothers—all except Parker—and the usual jokes get told about the usual people. It’s easy for me to tune them out until Brooks says, “Good turnout.”

“Yeah,” I agree, but then ask, “Why are you wearing a lapel mic?” It’s pinned to the collar of his polo shirt.

Ignoring my question, he peers across the crowd. “I wish Parker were here.”

Sawyer and I frown at each other. “You do?”

“He should be here for this.”

“He should be around for a lot of things,” Sawyer says, “but we’re used to him being gone all the time. What’s so special about today?”

Brooks smirks. “This.” He gives a nod to the DJ, who switches the song toYou’re All I Need To Get By. Sawyer and I share another look as Brooks snakes through the crowd. Brooks speaks on the mic over the lowered music, “Good afternoon, everyone. I wanted to take a moment today to share a few thoughts.” The crowd simmers down and watches as he hones in on his target. “Summer is a fleeting thing. And the end of summer always leaves me a little sad because it means winter is coming. But today, I have no idea what’s coming, and for once in my buttoned up, stuffy, well-planned life, I’m excited for the unknown.”

He stops when he reaches his girlfriend, Zoe, and off to the side, I notice Autumn standing by. With a smile plastered on Zoe’s face, she quietly asks Brooks, “What are you doing?”

“Zoe, in all my life, I never would have thought I could be as happy as I am with you. You are the million tiny moments I’d always wanted, and you are the million big things that scare me to death. You are all the poems in high school that made me feel things I didn’t understand. Before you, I walked in a gray world. But you have splashed color on every surface. You make me see the good in everything. I want that for the rest of my life.” He kneels and pulls out a tiny blue box. The crowd gasps collectively. “Zoe Dunbar, will you marry me?”

Tears streaming down her face, she blurts, “I do!” We laugh, and she realizes what she said. “I mean, yes!”

As we cheer, Brooks slides the ring on her finger and they kiss, while we clap and cheer some more. Autumn snaps the pictures, capturing every moment until it seems too intimate. Then she joins the crowd again to give them their privacy. The DJ returns the music to normal volume, and the crowd mingles once again, with a few people congratulating the happy couple. I find her there and take her aside by a table of champagne flutes, where she sets her camera. “You knew?”

She laughs. “He made me swear not to tell anyone.”

“You sneak!”

“I was dying to tell you. But seeing the surprise on your face made it worth it.”

I chuckle, watching the happy couple from afar. “I’m happy for them.”

“Me, too. That ring nearly blinded me.”

“He’s always had expensive tastes. I’m shocked she can lift whatever he got for her.”

Trevor Beaumont strolls up to us. Or rather, to Autumn. “Long time no see.”

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