Page 104 of Beau & Autumn

I grin. “I guess there’s no prizes for guessing why.”

“It sounds like Autumn has you hook, line, and sinker.”

“Something like that,” I say. It’s hard to believe I was very single just a couple of weeks ago. Now I have a wife and I’m in love with her and she with me? The mind boggles. So much can happen in such a short space of time. “But I wouldn’t change a thing, Fletch.”

“So this whole fake thing has really worked out for you?”

I think he’s known all along how I felt about Autumn, maybe even before I did.

“More than.”

He shakes his head. “Weird how things work out, huh?”

“So weird.”

“And you love her?” he asks.

Just thinking about that part makes me smile and spreads warmth all over my body.

Oh God, do I love this woman.

If I weren’t already married to her, I’d want to be her husband, right here, right now.

“Yeah, I think a part of me always has.” I sigh. “I just didn’t think someone like Autumn would be interested in a guy like me.”

He pats me on the back good-naturedly. “Well I’ve known you a while now so I can vouch for the fact you’re a great guy. You two really go together.”

I laugh. “Thanks, bud. Right back at ya.”

“And I still think it’s hot she’s older than you by quite a bit.” I sense he still can’t believe I snagged her because he shakes his head. That only makes my grin wider.

“I’d almost forgotten that part. Almost.”

“So, what’s your advice for me and Penny?” he asks once we collect our food and walk back to our seats.

“You need advice on your second date?”

“I really like this girl,” he says.

“Wait, weren’t you the one giving me all the advice under the sun with my Autumn dilemma?”

“Your situation was pretty out there, I admit,” he says. “But it’s sometimes easier on the outside looking in on someone else’s relationship.”

I laugh because there’s probably no truer words spoken. He grins and I’ve never seen him even kinda gushy over a girl. Fuck, he does really like her.

“You know what my real advice is for you, Fletch?”

He raises his eyebrows interestedly, hanging onto every word. My, how the tables have turned. “Yeah, what is it?”

“Just jump, man. That’s all I can tell you. If you like her, go for it.”

He unwraps his burger but before he takes a bite he stops midway, his eyes lifting for a moment like he’s deep in thought. “I guess you’re right. There’s only one way to find out,” he says finally.

“Put it here.” We clink our sodas like we know what we’re talking about, when in reality the only thing we know a lot about is gaming and geeky shit no one else cares about. I’m just glad that Autumn see’s past all of that and takes me for who I really am underneath. I want that for Fletcher, too. “Just remember, Fletch, you gotta make time for your girl if this thing works out. That means juggling the gaming time.”

His brow furrows for a moment, like he’s really contemplating such a travesty. “I see what you’re saying,” he says. “And girls like pretty things, right?”

“Lots of pretty things,” I assure him. “In fact, I’m gonna swing by the florist on my way home and grab some flowers for my wife.”

---