His kiss is unlike before. It’s restless and unrestrained. Our tongues battle for control as we try to push deeper, wanting to bottle the other one inside us. In this very moment, I think I’ll die if he stops kissing me, and I think he feels the same.

When it feels like hours have gone by, Lukas pulls away, but not far. His forehead rests against my cheek. “You were so not what I expected, and I don’t know what to do about it.”

He holds my jaw and looks me in the eye. There’s so much turmoil on his face, and I know what he’s thinking.

There’s an end date to this relationship.

An end date that we have always wanted more than anyone else.

But do I still want it?

This is the first time that thought has occurred to me.

It feels like Mother Nature wants to make sure I never forget this moment, and the heavens open up. I don’t know why I’m even surprised. There was a forecast of rain, and the cloudy weather had confirmed it.

Lukas grabs my hand and pulls me toward the forest surrounding the lake. By the time we reach the cover of thick fir trees, my hair is soaked. Luckily, my down parka is waterproof, otherwise I would be dragging a hell of a lot of weight on my shoulders.

“Fuck. I’d hoped we’d have a few more rain-free hours.”

“That’s the difference between a hope and reality. But it looks so magical.”

He hums and pulls me to his front. His chin rests on my shoulder as we take in our surroundings.

I pull out my cell phone and start the record button.

“What’s that?” he whispers in my ear.

“Sometimes when I can’t sleep, I play ASMR music on my phone, mostly nature sounds. It’s comforting and I’m lulled to sleep. I thought I would record an original.”

We’re back to being silent, which lasts for a minute or so, and then he asks, “Why can’t you sleep, Autumn?” When I don’t reply immediately, he urges, “Tell me.”

“I only have one worry in life, Lukas. I don’t want to fail my parents or my grandparents.”