Page 19 of Falling for Autumn
She shook her curly head.
“Because you’re going to be the smartest little girl on the planet. Just watch. You’re going to grow up to be a prolific author, genetic scientist, or economist. Whatever you put your mind to, great or small, you’re going to accomplish great things. I already know it. You’re going to be loved, protected, and adored, beautiful.”
“Look at you over there falling in love with my baby,” Autumn stated, walking up behind me with her selection of books to check out.
I winked at her. She and her baby could be easy to fall for—not that I was trying to—but I wouldn’t be mad if it happened.
After she checked her books out and we were heading to the doors, I proposed our first date.
“Hey, I’ve been thinking. If you’re truly interested in going to a game, why don’t you join me for our next home game?”
“As long as I can find a sitter for Auburn, I would love that, October,” she replied as her face lit up.
“Then we gotta make that happen, baby girl. Consider it our first date,” I replied with a wink and pulled the door open.
“It’s a date,” she replied softly with a soft smile.
Chapter 8
Autumn
TWO WEEKS LATER
Ihadn’t been this excited in a long time. I hadn’t been on a date since the day that I learned Wilson lied to me about his wife and kid. Learning that I was pregnant had sent me into a cocoon that I hadn’t been willing to shed. I spent a few days out with my sister and our friends, but not much.
Today was the first day that I would be doing anything exciting. Over the last two weeks, October was intentional about spending time with Auburn and me. It amazed me how she reacted to the sound of his voice, racing into the room to greet him, or running to the door whenever the doorbell rang.
We barbequed in our backyards on a couple of occasions, watched a movie together, and just sat around and kicked it. So, when he rang the doorbell, I was overly excited and nervous.
I grabbed Auburn’s backpack and put it on her back and then grabbed my purse. “Come on, Smooches. Time for some one-on-one with Nana and PaPa.”
I eagerly grabbed her hand and walked to the door, excited for time around other adults and a miniature break from being so hands-on for a second. I loved my baby, but I did miss beingaround other adults and getting out to do more than going to the store, to work, and the doctor’s office. Alternatively, I knew that I would miss her as soon as she was gone. This weekend would be my first weekend away from her. I usually took her to the shop with me on the weekends.
“Oh, you ready, ready.” October greeted me when I opened the door wearing my gold and black Cherokee Springs University Tigers jersey and dark blue jeans. I wore a pair of gold and black custom Nike Dunks on my feet.
“I told you that I would be.”
“Did you order the jersey from the store?” he asked, grabbing Auburn and carrying her down the steps to his car.
“No. I actually went to the campus and picked it out.”
“Okay. Okay. I see you.”
“You don’t look too bad yourself,” I stated, motioning at his black jersey with gold lettering. He paired it with some black jeans and all-black Nikes.
“You feeling ya boy, huh? Unlock your car so that I can grab her car seat.”
I did as he asked and blushed at his comment because he was always saying little flirty things like that. I was attracted to October. It was more than an attraction. I genuinely liked him a lot and would love to be closer to him. I was scared to put myself out there to be burned again.
When he returned with her car seat, I locked my car back. He smirked. “Look at you checking a nigga out.”
“I mean, you’re cute and all.”
“Listen to you. Tryna play it off when I know better.”
“Whatever.”
I strapped Auburn in her car seat.
