Page 76 of Against the Autumn Pines
He had no idea what the conversation out front had meant to me, because he was right—Iwasthinking about a future with this man, and I wasn’t even sure I knew when it started or how we’d gotten here, but we did, and I could see the future. The one he joked about, and I’d contemplated endlessly over the last few weeks.
Mentally shaking off the anxiety that being here was causing, I forced my attention back to those around the table. Wyatt was next to me at the side corner of the table, and Abby was at the head of the table next to him. Theo was across from me, Aspen was on my opposite side, Rowan was next to her, and then it was even more new family I hadn’t truly met until now. Oliver, his son Hudson, who was almost ten now, he’d told me proudly, and then Payton next to him.
I knew this was more important than Wyatt was lettingon, and I did want to make a good impression—sex app knowledge and all. They all seemed so genuine and kind. No hidden motives or agendas. It was truly something I hadn’t experienced so far in my life, especially not when it came to sitting next to family.
“So, Ember, tell us about yourself,” Abby started. She was a soft-spoken woman. The type of human who would see a stranger crying and take their hand while they gathered their emotions and poured out their life story. Absolutely nothing like my mother.
“Oh. Well, not much to tell. I own Buns of Delight, a bakery in town. I like going to yoga classes. I just got a cat from the shelter, and now I have your son sort of glued to my side.” I cut myself off before I could start rambling even more with my nerves and confess to insane things like how much I cared about him.
She started laughing—even that was warm and comforting. “I must say, I’ve heard incredible things about your bakery. Sadly, I haven’t had the pleasure of tasting anything just yet. All of my children just seem to have empty to-go bags when they show up. As far as my son goes, I have to say that is a one-of-a-kind experience.”
I looked around the table, and everyone was looking elsewhere. “None of you has brought your mom a single pastry? Really?” I questioned, hoping my voice portrayed the appropriate amount of shock I was feeling.
“I’ve never been, so I feel as if I get a pass,” Oliver said from the end of the table.
“Do you have donuts?” Hudson asked. He hadn’t talked much, but Wyatt had forewarned me that he was like his father, Oliver, and didn’t talk much unless he felt he had something worth saying.
I chuckled. “I do not, no. I have bagels, scones, muffins,that sort of thing. But if it’ll get you inside my bakery, I’m willing to try to make donuts.”
Hudson’s dark green eyes widened at me from across the table. “Really? Donuts are my favorite.”
“He likes chocolate donuts, like his Uncle,” Wyatt said from next to me with a smile.
I felt my face heat at his tone, the knowing look in his eye about the chocolate comment from earlier. Forcing my eyes back to his family, and not his craziness, I looked at Hudson.
“Well, you can come hang out whenever you want, and we’ll try our hand at donuts.”
His wide eyes turned to his father, and Oliver held up a hand. “I don’t care, little man. We’ll get it figured out.” I guess my face shared more than my mouth because Oliver’s gaze turned to me. “Not because of you, Ember. Don’t worry. We’ve had some trouble lately keeping full-time help with Hudson’s school schedule and our helpers at the ranch. But we’re figuring out this new schedule, so we’ll make it work.”
“I can always grab him too, or Wyatt can,” I offered with a small smile.
“Told you!” Payton chimed in. “That’s what family is for. Let us help you, Oliver.”
He ran a hand over his face and looked back down at his plate. I had a strong feeling that Oliver had a lot of similarities with Wyatt and me. The realm of asking for help just wasn’t somewhere we went on purpose. It was challenging to even admit when we needed help, let alone actually ask for it.
Deciding to cut the guy some slack, I turned to my favorite couple.
“So, Aspen, how’s the wedding planning going?” Rowan and Aspen had been engaged about a month now, and as far as I knew, all they’d done so far was ask me to make the dessert. Something I was very excited to be taking part in.
Aspen smiled as she started bouncing in her chair. “Oh amazing! We haven’t picked out a date yet, but we’re thinking early fall next year! Just the family and a few friends from town, so nothing crazy big. I actually wanted to ask you something, but um, we can talk about it later. I don’t want to put you on the spot or anything,” she said quickly.
I stared, wondering if my confusion was coming across clearly enough, but Rowan and Oliver started chuckling, and Wyatt looked down at his lap, shaking his head.
“Just ask her, angel. Don’t make this an awkward moment,” Rowan muttered.
“Ugh, Ro, dammit.” Aspen turned her entire body, so she was staring at me. “I want you to be one of my bridesmaids.”
I felt like a comic book character as my mouth physically fell open, and no words came out.
“Ember?” she questioned. “I mean, you can say no, that’s fine. I won’t?—”
“No!” I interrupted. “I mean, not no as in no, but no as in oh my god, are you serious? You want me to be in your wedding?”
She smiled, nodding fervently. “Yes! Ivy is my maid of honor, of course, but I asked you and Payton as well. I want all three of my girls up there with me. The squad of sorts.”
I leaned over, wrapping my arms around her in a fierce hug. “I’d love to, Aspen,” I whispered.
Hugging me back, she squealed in my ear excitedly. “Yay! We have a wedding party!” she yelled, turning to Rowan to squeal some more.
