Falling for Autumn (8 page)

Chapter 8

“I
t took you long enough to get here!” Autumn went to the taxi as her sister Summer stepped out and hugged her.

“I missed you, too, sis. I can't believe I haven't seen you in months.” They broke their embrace so that Summer could pay the taxi driver and get her bags.

“You know, I could have picked you up.”

“I know, but I didn't want you to have to leave the store. Had I known that you would come meet me at your place anyway, I would have taken you up on your offer.”

Autumn gave her another quick hug before they brought her bags into the town house. “I told Winter I would bring you by the store as soon as you arrived, so we can walk there unless you need to relax a little first.”

“Nope, I'm fine. Let's go see the ladies and all the new goodies in the store that I didn't see last time.”

When they arrived at the store, Summer busted through the front door.

“Never fear, sis! Your favorite bridesmaid is here.”

Winter squealed so loudly, she startled one of the customers.

“Maybe we should head to the café across the street?” Autumn suggested.

“Where is Danni?” Summer asked after she embraced Winter.

“She stepped out, but should be back soon. Our sales lead is here, so I can tell her that we're going across the street, and I'll text Danni to meet us when she gets back.”

“That works.”

When they got to the café, they ordered specialty cappuccinos and took a seat at one of the outdoor tables.

“I'm glad it's still warm. You never know what the September weather will bring in Chicago,” Summer said.

Winter nodded her head in agreement. “We've had good weather lately, so fingers crossed it continues.”

“So how does it feel?”

“How does what feel?”

“How does it feel to know in less than five weeks you will be Mrs. Taheim Reed?”

Winter sighed as her eyes went all lovey-dovey. “It feels amazing. I can't wait to marry that man. And although I'm obviously so excited for the wedding, I'm also excited for the masquerade affair that they've spent so much time planning. Autumn and Ajay have been meeting a lot about the plans.”

Autumn almost choked on her drink at her sister's not-so-subtle way of bringing up Ajay. “Danni and Jaleen have been key planners, as well. Not just me and Ajay.”

“Hold on,” Summer said, glancing from Winter to Autumn. “Did I miss something? Are you dating Ajay?”

“Hell no. We aren't dating. We just started getting along weeks ago.”

“That's not what I heard,” Winter mumbled before she flashed a knowing look. Autumn squinted her eyes.

“What exactly did you hear?”

“I heard, whenever you two are around each other, he can't take his eyes off you. I also heard that you look at him just as much.”

“That's not true. Who told you that?”

“Way too many people to name. What's the problem?”

“Yeah, an attractive man can't take his eyes off you and you seem annoyed by it,” Summer added.

They didn't understand. It was hard enough to avoid her attraction to Ajay without her sisters' input.

“The best way to stop yourself from falling for Ajay is to kiss him and see if anything is there. If there aren't any sparks, no harm, no foul.”

“And if there are sparks, then you'll know one way or the other.”

Autumn blinked rapidly as she looked from one of her sisters to the other. “Do you both think this type of logic will actually work on me?”

“Look, Autumn,” Summer said, talking with her hands. “You may have the IQ of a genius, but, sis, you can be so dense sometimes. We know our logic doesn't make sense. But the reason we are telling you to do this is so that you can experience what it feels like to actually want someone and act on it.”

“You spend way too much time overthinking your actions instead of just feeling,” Winter added. “We're not telling you to date Ajay or even mess around with him. We're just telling you to kiss him and see if the sparks are there.”

“Exactly, and if you happen to have sex with him, try not to think about the fact that you will have to see him at every family event that Winter and Taheim throw.”

Autumn shot Summer an evil look, but she just shrugged and smiled. The ultimate little sister. Convinces you to do something, then reminds you of what you could lose by doing so.

“I don't know, guys. Logically it doesn't make sense. He's outgoing. I'm not. He enjoys being around people 24/7 while I get claustrophobic with large crowds. He's hard to read and so am I. We can't both be bad at communicating. And have you seen the women who throw themselves at him in the club? Big boobs. Big butts. Weave to their knees.”

“Oh, come on,” Summer said. “Those are lame comparisons. I'm sure he is not just interested in the big-booty Judy types, and even so, you have a nice ass. Besides, you're beautiful and intelligent and he'd be lucky to have you. And I'm not just saying that because you're my sister.”

“Ajay is deeper than that and you know it. He wants a woman who will maintain his interest and keep him on his toes. You may be awkward at times, but from what I've heard, he seems to really get you.”

She thought about the conversation she'd had with Ajay a week ago. “You're right,” she said with a sigh. “There is so much more to him than I thought. I guess you never quite realize it until you truly get to know someone.” Her mind drifted to how relaxed Ajay had looked after he told her about his upbringing. A slow smile spread across her face at the memory.

“Oh, wow,” Winter said in surprise. “He actually told you, didn't he? I can see it in your eyes.”

“Told me what?”

“About his childhood.”

“You knew about it and you didn't tell me?”

“One, it wasn't my place to say. Two, all I know is that the Reeds adopted him when he was thirteen and he's their blood in all the ways that count. I also know his upbringing was hard, but that's all.”

“Ajay was adopted?” Summer asked. “How did I miss that?”

“I also heard that you and he were the only ones to check out the venue last week. You both got through that without anyone getting hurt, so is it safe to say you're no longer getting on his case about stuff?”

“How about you just say that Danni told you about us—not that there is an
us
. She's the only one around Ajay and me enough. And yes, we are getting along more, so you don't have to worry about your maid of honor arguing with the best man the day of your wedding.”

“Sweetie, I was more concerned with the both of you ignoring your feelings up until the wedding and the sexual tension building up so much that you can barely take it.”

Summer started laughing.

“I don't see what's so funny. I'll figure out what I'm going to do about my attraction to Ajay on my own.”

“Finally,” Summer said, raising her hands in the air. “She admits that she's attracted to him.”

“That's good,” Danni said as she approached the table. “Because I just got a text message from Jaleen inviting us to his friend Luke's birthday party at Inferno Lounge tonight. Winter, he said you already knew about it.”

“I did. I was waiting for you to get here before I told them. I think we all should go.”

“Thursday-night party? I'm in!” Summer replied.

“Of course you show up now,” Autumn said to Danni before taking another sip of her cappuccino. “Aren't you just the bearer of good news?”

“Goodness, you're grumpy!” Danni went over to hug Summer before taking the seat across from her.

“Not grumpy. Just annoyed.”

“You can stay annoyed for the rest of the day,” Winter said. “But tonight, you're going to Luke's birthday party with us.”

“Are you annoyed because Luke was flirting with you at Jaleen's place the other day?”

“Oh, my God, Luke likes you, too?” Summer asked enthusiastically. “I don't even know who Luke is, but Autumn having a love triangle is definitely big news.”

“Danni, why do you even know that?”

“Jaleen told me,” she said with a shrug. “And he had me cracking up.”

“Tell us what happened.”

As she listened to Danni repeat the story of that night from Jaleen's point of view, she took the time to finish her drink and block them out. If she was going to Luke's party tonight, she needed to mentally prepare herself.

* * *

“Yo, Ajay, this VIP area is dope, man. And the ladies in the club tonight are looking extra sexy. Man, this 'bout to be the best night I've ever had.”

Ajay listened to a tipsy Luke rattle on about the night's festivities. He was glad he was enjoying himself, but he wished all the men in attendance weren't so taken by the women, so that he could rattle on to one of them instead.

“I'm glad you're enjoying yourself, man. I'm going to make my rounds and I'll be right back.”

He searched the twenty or so people in the section for Jaleen, who was snuggled in a corner between two women. “Jay, I'll be right back. I need to make my rounds and see when Taheim is getting here.”

“Bro, you know Taheim is probably in his car getting freaky with Winter.”

“I'll message him.” He texted his brother and Taheim responded within seconds.

“Where is he?”

“He said he's in the car talking to Winter and will be in within the next ten or fifteen minutes.”

“Told you,” Jaleen said with a laugh. “That dude is so sprung he can't see straight. You know they aren't coming in for at least thirty minutes.”

Ajay placed his phone back into his pocket. “Yeah, you're right.”

“Hey, look who's here,” Jaleen said, pointing to the front door. “There go the ladies. I never met the third one. I think that's Winter and Autumn's younger sister, Summer, right?”

He barely registered what Jaleen was saying. His eyes were too focused on Autumn walking into the lounge wearing a peach dress that seemed to be made for her curvy body. Her thick hair was in curls flowing down her shoulders. As they walked closer, he noticed the strappy heels on her feet and he was able to take in her complete look. He finally made his way to her face and found her already staring at him.

“Hey, guys,” Danni said as they approached. “Ajay, I know you've met Summer. But, Summer, this is Jaleen.”

“It's nice to see you again, Summer,” Ajay said without breaking eye contact with Autumn. He heard Summer and Jaleen exchange words, but his focus was elsewhere.

“You look beautiful,” he said as his eyes drifted to the delicate earrings in her ears. Every detail about her tonight was making him lose his resolve.
You can't go there with Autumn. Too much can go wrong.
Right? Hadn't he just given himself a pep talk to keep their relationship platonic? He couldn't even remember. All he could see was her.

“Damn you look sexy.” Both Autumn and Ajay, along with the rest of the group, turned to face the voice.

“Happy birthday, Luke,” Autumn replied with Danni and Summer expressing similar sentiments.

“It is now that you're here.” He walked over to Autumn and gave her a hug. Instead of the normal quick hug, Luke's lingered. When he brushed a kiss against Autumn's cheek, it took all Ajay's energy not to reach over and pull Luke off her. He was acutely aware of Danni, Summer and Jaleen watching his every move.

He expected Autumn to brush Luke off, but instead, she actually laughed at his lame pickup lines. She even seemed to laugh more than normal and gently touched his shoulder at whatever he whispered in her ear.
Seriously? This is how she wants to play this out?
It was one thing to politely reject someone's advances. It was another issue entirely to openly flirt when she saw him standing there.

He ignored the voice inside his head that reminded him that she wasn't his. They weren't dating, and she was allowed to flirt or talk to anyone she wanted.

“I'll be back,” he said to the group before stepping off the VIP platform and walking to greet the other tables. As owner of the club, he always liked to visit the VIP guests and show his appreciation of them choosing one of his establishments for their celebration.

Forty minutes later, he'd decided to escape to the second-level platform that overlooked the first level. Winter and Taheim still hadn't walked in yet and it seemed that everyone else was having a good time on the dance floor and in the VIP section. He spotted Jaleen, Danni, Luke and Summer, but he couldn't find Autumn anywhere.

Why are you even searching for her when you're not going to do anything?
Furthermore, why wasn't he going to do anything about their attraction?
Damn.
He couldn't remember a time when he was this indecisive about a woman. It had to be because Autumn was different. He had a feeling that she wasn't like the others because one time with her would never be enough. It would never quench his craving for her. He wasn't surprised that he'd been so honest with her last week. At the time, it had just felt right and he was glad they had talked about his past.

He started walking down the steps, prepared to try to find Autumn when he spotted her by one of the side doors. He observed her as she looked at the door and read the sign posted on it.
I hope she's not thinking about going outside this late.
He usually had a guard there, but he noticed the guard at that station was assisting with a situation at the bar. He should probably head to the bar to help as well, but he noticed the Inferno manager walk over instead.

Besides, he really needed to make sure Autumn didn't go outside. The outside area of his club was pretty safe, but he still didn't want her to step out by herself this late. He should have known that even though she didn't know he was watching her, she still wouldn't listen. She looked both ways, opened the door and slipped out.