Page 50 of Beau & Autumn

“And you’re just a regular Cassanova, right? Maybe you should take some of your own advice. Make the first move. Hit her with one of your hilarious jokes.”

Fletcher is like nobody else. He’s your typical looking geek; large rimmed glasses, hair hanging in his eyes that he never seems to cut, and he’s unusually tall and gangly. I always told him he could try out for a pro basketball team, but he’d rather play video games with me and work at the tech shop because his real passion in life is building hard drives, not bouncing basketballs.

I think that’s why we get along so well. He’s a good guy; loyal, funny and the best hacker around. “Right. Except only you seem to find me funny.”

“Fine. If this blind date doesn’t work out, let’s scour the bar next weekend and you can ask her for a drink.”

“Hey, I thought I was here to help you grow some balls and ask Autumn out.”

I dodge a stray bullet and fire back to the enemy as we run through the abandoned village. “I’m still thinking about it.”

“Wuss.”

“Yeah, well, she just isn’t like any other girl. Like I’ve been sayin’, things are different when you have a friendship to ruin if things don’t work.”

She’s special. Like no one else I’ve ever met. And if I mess anything up, there’s a lot more at stake with her than any other girl. I never want to be the guy to put a frown on Autumn’s face.

“Time’s ticking,” he says. “Sitting on the sidelines isn’t gonna get you the girl, all it’s gonna do is make sure you wind up alone.”

I snort, wondering when the hell he became so damned full of insight.

When Fletch starts making sense then it’s really time to worry.

“Great advice. I seriously think you're in the wrong job.” And then I get hit in the head and die. “Shit!”

Fletcher chuckles. “Never bring a knife to a gunfight, my friend.”

I’ve gotta get my head in the game and talk to her. Pronto.

14

Autumn

Beauster

Hey lil lady, sorry for my late reply. I left my cell at work. We definitely need to talk. Are you free this afternoon?

I’ve been sitting on Beau’s text since it came through at work, not because I’m ignoring him or don’t want to answer, but I’m trying to construct a reply. I’m feeling nervous about talking to him after the other night and the things I said. I realize now I was a little tipsy that night and blurted some stuff out that could’ve been misconstrued.

Like us getting married.

Me and my big drunk mouth.

I mean, we weren’t exactly discussing the weather the last time I saw him. He made some pretty crazy suggestions, and now I’m wondering if he was a little tanked too.

It’s all I can think about… what my name would sound like.

Autumn Bassett.

Jesus Christ. I rub my temples.

Even now, at my studio where I’m supposed to be working, and sorting out the final details for the first up and coming wedding at the Bassetts barn, I can’t stop thinking about him. About that night.

I sigh, sitting down at my desk. My studio is pretty funky, I have to admit. It has an industrial feel with exposed brick down the entire length of one wall and stainless steel downlights; which are in the shape of little stars like they’re protruding from the ceiling. The other length of the wall is a huge mural that I had mounted from a photo I took a year ago. I stopped at the scenic lookout at the top of one of the ridges, just outside of Stoney Creek, to shoot a beautiful sunset landscape. It showcases a bright orange and purple hue across the sky that looks so dramatic and so stunning, it’s hard to believe it’s real. The colors swirl and decorate the sky as though even dusk took a pause and stepped back to admire it. It’s a soft and calming backdrop to have on my wall, and many people comment on it when they come into the studio.

I’ve seen many beautiful skies in the south, and I never, ever, get sick of looking at it. I love the way it reminds me every day how lucky I am to live in such a beautiful place.

Me

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