“A little too much.” He returns my smile and grabs my hand. “You are free for an hour, right?”

I nod. He asked me early in the morning when I’d be free. Apparently, he wants to show me a surprise. I still don’t understand, because this is my town, and there’s no surprise for me here.

When I hand Chiara my iPad, she mouths, “What the hell is happening?”

If only I knew the answer.

“I thought we were going out?” I blurt as Lukas guides me toward our suite.

“We are, but you need to be better prepared.” Without saying more, he leads me into the closet and sifts through my jackets.

“This will do. Put it on.” He gives my parka a long look before handing it to me and going back to rummaging through my clothes.

“This is my winter jacket. It’s not that cold.”

“You’ll freeze your sweet ass off on my bike.”

“We’re going for a ride?” I exclaim, and without further protest, put on the jacket.

Lukas returns with my two beanies, one in lavender and one in pink, and looks between them. “I love you in these pastel colors you wear.”

He noticed and…he loves me in pastel colors.

Stop it, Autumn. He meant he loves your clothes. Don’t get any crazy ideas.

I take the lavender beanie from him and watch as he removes his jacket and puts on a black turtleneck. God, he looks handsome in everything.

“I thought you didn’t own a sweater?”

“I do. I just wear them when it’s absolutely necessary. And it’s an absolute necessity where I’m taking you.”

I replace my green moccasins with Ugg boots. “You know I’ve lived in Cherrywood all my life. There’s no part of this town I don’t know.”

He smirks. “I’m one hundred percent sure you haven’t been to where we’re going.”

“Is it under the lake? Because that’s the only place I haven’t been.” I jerk my head from side to side, feeling proud at myself for finding a fitting reply.

“Very cute.” Lukas pulls me closer and kisses the tip of my nose. “No, it isn’t underwater. It’s actually the opposite of it.” He loosens my bun and wraps the scrunchie around my left wrist like I do often. “You’ll like it better with your hair down.”

Thirty minutes have flown past, and I’m fisting the soft leather of Lukas’ jacket like my life depends on it.

We don’t talk during the ride, but Lukas’ one gloved hand intermittently presses against mine. I look around in surprise when he takes the road that leads toward the forest in the hills. We continue to drive as the road becomes narrower and the road signs fewer.

I think he’ll stop at the end, but he continues toward a dirt road into the forest.