Hold On (Play On #2.5)(16)

To be fair, I liked everything about him.

“Oh my God, you are so cute,” Catie teased at breakfast the next morning.

I made a face at both her and her grinning husband. “I am not.”

“You are, too. You’re sitting there gazing dreamily out at the snowy mountains wondering if your Prince Charming is one of those moving dots in the powder.”

I rolled my eyes to hide the fact that she was right. “Am not.”

“Are too. We can safely assume the date went well?”

I glanced between Catie and Kyle, wondering if I told them the truth if they’d think I was crazy.

Catie frowned, sensing my concern. “What is it?”

I lowered my cup of tea. “You’ll both think I’m insane.”

“Why? What is it?”

I exhaled slowly. “I think he… okay, I know this sounds nuts and I would think it was nuts if it wasn’t happening to me but… I think he might be… well… the one.” I flinched, bracing for their reaction.

When all I got was silence, I slumped in my seat. “You think I’m nuts.”

“I don’t.” Kyle shrugged. “I knew Catie was it for me the moment we met.”

I smiled as Catie stared adoringly at her husband. “You did?”

“Aye.” He grinned back at her. “I felt like you’d slammed into me the moment I saw you because I couldn’t catch my breath. And I knew. I just knew you were it.”

“You’ve never told me that before.” She smacked his shoulder.

He winced while I laughed. “Well, I didn’t want to sound like a total Muppet. But Autumn’s being honest and I don’t want her to feel like an idiot. This shite can happen.” He turned to me. “But beware. Next thing you know you’re married at twenty-two.”

I chuckled. “I’m twenty-five.”

“You know what I mean. Catie and I met at twenty-one and less than a year later we got married.”

“I knew I loved him right away, too,” Catie said to me before turning back to Kyle, “but I didn’t know you felt the same way. You didn’t even say that in your vows!”

“I think getting engaged after six months and then getting married five months later pretty much says it all, babe.”

She snorted. “True.”

Not wanting to interrupt the warm moment between them but needing reassurance, I asked, “So you don’t think I’m nuts?”

“No,” they said in unison.

Catie continued, “However, men haven’t always treated you the way you deserve. One of them not too long ago. Be careful.”

I stiffened at the reminder I hadn’t been very good at choosing men. “I know that. But have I ever said any of them were the one? Gray… Gray would never hurt me. I don’t know how I know that. I just do.”

My friends contemplated me in silence for a while again until I was squirming with the need to bolt out of my seat. Then Catie reached across the table for my hand, like Gray had done last night, and squeezed it in hers. “You want to know what I think?”

No, I’m scared. “Yes?”

“I think after everything you’ve been through, the fact that you still have the biggest, most open heart of anyone I know, makes you the bravest person I know. Christ, Autumn, it is so much easier to hide from love than it is to give in to it. You’re such a special person and if you think this guy is the one then go for it. We’ll be here no matter what happens.”

Tears glistened in my eyes. “You’re the best friend ever.”

She grinned. “I know.”

I laughed but my amusement faded when I whispered, “Killian won’t be so understanding.”

“This isn’t his life. Who knows whether this connection with Gray will go anywhere… but you’ll never know if you don’t take a shot at it. However, if you need me to say it, I’ll say it: I trust you, Autumn. Trust yourself.”

Before I could stop them, the tears spilled over. “Best. Friend. Ever.”





Now that Catie and Kyle emotionally had my back, I felt even more antsy to see Gray so we could further explore the immense connection between us. Which meant, without any spa appointments booked that day, I was bored and impatient as I lounged around the lodge. Eventually I found myself snuggled up in the corner of one of the couches in the reception area, my back to the fire, my knees drawn up with a notepad on them. My boots lay scattered beside me on the floor and there was a glass of warm cider on the window ledge by the couch.

I stared at the piece of paper I’d torn free from the notepad braced on my knee, chewing the end of my pen in thought.



POSSIBLE CAREER OPTIONS



1. Small catering company (on my own this time!!)

2. Bakery? Or catering company focused on baked goods only

3. Stylist to the stars (not realistic but I did a good job with Skylar)

4. Event organizer/wedding planner

5. PA at Killian’s new label--job is ready and waiting

6. Interior designer. No experience! Would be fun though!

7. AHHHH!





8. I suck


9. HOLD ME :(



I felt the heat of him at my back before he said, “What are you doing?”