I don’t let go of him right away, but then Lukas sits on his elbows, and I have to loosen my grip. “I’m sorry.”

“I told you I’m on the pill.”

He lets out an agitated sigh. “This conversation should have happened before, Autumn. Always before. Not when a guy is balls deep inside you.”

A guy?

He’s remorseful because he thinks he’s set the wrong example for me for future men. Because there will be others in the future when he isn’t there.

“You should—”

I place my palm over his mouth. “Tonight it’s just us.” I repeat his words from before.

Confusion flickers in his eyes until he closes them. He presses a kiss on my palm and pulls it away from his face.

“I’m a very responsible person, Autumn. But with you, I lose all my senses.” Seconds go by in silence, and then thankfully his lips twitch. “Who would have thought I’d go bare with a girl who sent me condoms as a Christmas gift. You make me crazy.”

My heart does a happy little dance watching his smile. “Mission accomplished.”

30. Autumn

30

AUTUMN

I wake up to the buzzing sound of my cell phone on the nightstand.

Mom: I reached the inn. Don’t worry about here. You and Lukas drive safely.

Thank God.

Last night, before leaving Keith and Clementine’s dinner, I texted Mom if she could cover the inn in the morning, as we’ll probably spend the night in St. Peppers.

The phone is still in my hand when there’s an incoming text from Chiara.

Chiara: I didn’t know your husband was whisking you away for Valentine’s Day.

Crap! It’s February fourteenth. How did I forget?

Chiara: Don’t worry about the inn. We’ll handle everything.

Autumn: Thank you so much, Chi. I didn’t realize the date, I swear.

Chiara: Of course you didn’t. That hunk is killing your brain cells. :D

I chuckle before looking around for that hunk. I don’t see him in the room, so I go searching for my clothes neatly folded on a chair.

Clean freak. I snicker and put on my underwear and bra before stepping into the bathroom.

Once back, I find the room still empty, but my pulse skips at the sight of the blue box from last night under the nightstand. A myriad of emotions hit me.

Lukas’ closet is still half-open. As I step forward, my heart races and my hands shake violently. What other secrets has he buried inside this?

Will I get a chance to be in the room a second time? Or is today the last day I get a glimpse of Lukas’ life?