My mother’s eyes widen. “Tums?”

I throw my arms around her. “I’m fine. Please don’t ask anything else.”

She’s stunned for a beat, and when I press my hands against her shoulders, she squeezes me tight and whispers, “All’s okay, right? Between you…and Lukas. He didn’t…”

She doesn’t finish, but I rush to answer. “He’s…” I struggle to find the best word. “Amazing, Mom.”

I feel her body loosening against mine. When I hear the shower in the bathroom, I pull back and wipe my face once more.

“I’m okay. I just got emotional.”

Mom looks at me for a second too long before placing a kiss on my forehead. I don’t know what she believes is happening or has happened between Lukas and me, and when I think maybe for the first time she’ll let me sort out my feelings on my own, she says, “You can talk to me, Autumn. I—”

But I interrupt her. “Thank you, Mom. I really needed that hug.”

The door to the bathroom opens, and Lukas walks out with a towel draped around his waist. He probably didn’t expect Mom would still be here. For a second, we all stay where we are, until Mom squeezes my hand once more and turns around.

“Drink the cocoa before it’s cold,” she says and closes the door behind herself.

I turn around to find Lukas already in the closet. A few moments later, he’s back, dressed in a signature T-shirt and jeans. He marches toward the couch barefoot. “I can definitely use a hot drink.”

My head spins at his swift mood change and the way he picks up a peanut butter cookie from the plate.

“I’m really gonna miss Suzie’s food.”

There’s a flicker of fire in his eyes when he looks at me before biting the cookie, but in the next instant, he smiles. We’re back to being two people who were forced together by fate and are determined to find their way out.

But I’m not sure if I really want an out or if I’ve started to believe in this promise like my grandparents.

I feel Lukas’ gaze on me all the while as I grab a change of clothes from the closet and walk into the bathroom.

Under the hot shower with my eyes closed, I can’t stop thinking about him. The sound of falling water drops reminding me of the rain and the things that transpired. Lukas’ hot breath skimming my skin. His words went someplace inside my heart, and I know they’ll forever remain locked there.

He did what he was aiming for.

He has ruined every man for me.

I’ll never see another man and not think about Lukas Spencer. My husband. My first. My promised.