Page 36 of Down Memory Lane
Ignoring her protests about clay hands, Felix wrapped her arms around him as he pulled her into his chest for a hug, wishing with that one move he could pass all of the confidence he had in her ability over to her. “I am sure that people will still buy your stuff.” He kissed the top of her head, smiling at the bright, citrus scent Felix now associated with her. Leaning back, he cupped her cheeks and stared into her eyes so that she could see the conviction he felt shining out of them. “People buy things from you because they can sense the care you put into each piece. A mug isn’t just a mug to you, but an extension of how you feel. Maybe you’re not in the right headspace today and that’s all it is, but even if that isn’t the case, no matter what happens with your pottery or anything else, we can figure it out together.”
Autumn leaned forward and pressed a gentle kiss to his lips before resting her head against his shoulder. “You’re pretty great, you know that?”
Felix chuckled and held her tightly. “I liked to think so, but hearing you say it makes it much more believable.” He had always thought of himself as a nice guy, a happy person that others would want to be around, but Autumn’s confirmation of that had him feeling it more deeply than he had in a long time, possibly ever. “You make me better, Auts. You’ve been my best friend for a long time and we’ve always complimented each other, but I don’t know. Lately...” he trailed off just as she had, unsure of how to put his feelings into words.
Autumn smiled up at him. “Lately, it’s felt like a lot more than two peas in a pod. More like two halves of a whole?”
Felix tucked his finger under her chin. “Exactly.”
Autumn had hit the nail on the head. They weren’t just side by side, but joined, connected in a way that they hadn’t been before. Feeling the strongest urge to tell her he loved her, Felix opened his mouth to do just that when a knock at the barn door interrupted him.
Slightly annoyed, Felix looked over to see his brother Travis with an apologetic look on his face as he stepped into the studio. “Sorry to interrupt.” Felix shot his brother a dark look, only earning a light chuckle from the man. Travis may have more muscle, but at that moment Felix was far more motivated to kick his ass just a little. “But I have been sent to remind you all that we have a party to get to in half an hour.”
“Oh crap,” Autumn muttered, flying off her stool. She gazed down at her clay covered hands and splattered apron. “I have to get cleaned up. I’m a complete mess.”
Travis winced at her appearance, but recovered before Autumn could see it. “Look fine.” He coughed into his hand and shrugged. “No one cares if you look bad anyway.”
Felix tried not to laugh as Autumn spun on his brother. “I look that terrible?” She turned to Felix who was pretty sure he had nothing but love in his eyes. “Is that true?”
Shaking his head, he stood up and kissed her lightly. “You’re as beautiful as you always are.”
Autumn smiled before sticking her tongue out at his brother, a gesture that reminded him of how she acted towards them all before her accident. Even if she didn’t remember, it seemed as though parts of her still slipped through every now and then.
Travis held up his hands and backed out the door. “Later.” Turning, he walked toward the main house, leaving the two of them alone again.
Autumn moved to the deep basin sink and started to wash her hands and scrub at her nails. “I know you said I look okay, and I don’t mind going to a party wearing jeans and a sweater, but I draw the line and clay fingers.”
Felix chuckled and kissed her cheek as she dried off her now clean hands. “I said you look beautiful, not just okay.” He grabbed the cider and glasses he’d brought and set them on the counter next to her. “Before we go, I want you to try something.”
Autumn looked at him and then the growler skeptically. “I know the doctor said I could drink again, but I don’t know, Fe.”
Felix nodded as he poured a tiny amount into her glass. “It’s barely got any in there, but there’s no pressure.” He pushed the glass toward her and smiled. “I just thought you’d want to try a taste of Autumn.”
A light brown brow arched at the name, but she didn’t say a word as she picked up the glass and took a sip. Felix watched as she tasted the drink that he’d named after her. It was made from sweet apple, grapefruit peel, and hibiscus. It smelled and tasted exactly like her, though it was a shame they would be the only two people to ever try his new blend. Autumn’s taste wasn’t something he was willing to share.
When she was finished, she licked her lips, Felix certain it tasted even better coming from her mouth as it did from the glass. “I know you called it a taste of Autumn, but there’s no cinnamon or cranberry, or pumpkin. It’s really delicious, Fe, but it doesn’t taste anything like Autumn to me.”
Felix leaned down toward her ear, skimming his nose over the shell of it. “Trust me,” he whispered. After nipping at her earlobe, Felix kissed her neck and jaw before slowly working his way over to her mouth. “It tastes exactly like Autumn.” A small gasp of realization left her mouth before Felix covered it with his own.
When they’d been at the hotel and Felix told Autumn he’d never get enough of her taste, he meant it. It hadn’t taken long for him to come up with the idea, and after letting it percolate for two weeks, he now had a cider that was a replica of his new favorite flavor: her. Groaning as he licked the cider from her lips, Felix grabbed her hips and started to steer her towards the barn door.
“We don’t have time,” Autumn said against his mouth. Her hands told another story as they reached down and started to undo his belt.
Slamming the door shut, Felix pressed her against it. “We’ll make time.” Kissing her soundly, he proceeded to show her exactly just how worth making the time really was.
