I shake my head, and the young man leaves. It feels weird to be treated like a guest at the inn, even though that’s probably what I am.

Fuck. I should have given him a tip.

I run my fingers through my hair. I’ll go mad if I sit here with no work. In an attempt to preserve my sanity, I dial Connor’s number.

He picks up after two rings. “Hey, man. How are you?”

“I need some work, Connor. You can’t keep me away like this.”

“I’m not keeping you away, Spencer. Until we get the man behind the attack, I want you out of St. Peppers. No one knows about you and Autumn, including us. Cherrywood is the safest place for now. How are things there, anyway?”

The king-sized bed I’d slept in is perfectly made, whereas the couch is wrinkled, with her unfolded duvet spread out.

“What is it?” Connor asks when I don’t reply for a few seconds.

I flop down on the couch. “Her grandma put us in one room. She’s adamant that Autumn and I stay together. I wouldn’t be surprised if she someday decides to glue us together just to ensure we spend as much time as possible by the other’s side.”

Connor chuckles. “That woman is something. What are you going to do next?”

“We’ll file for divorce,” I reply mechanically. He’s quiet for a while, and when the silence becomes too much, I ask, “What?”

“It’s very easy to give up the happiness at hand in hope of something better, Lukas. Cherishing what we already have is the tougher job, and something where most men fail.”

The vulnerability in Connor’s voice surprises me, but he doesn’t know this happiness in my life isn’t mine. “I don’t have much choice, Connor. This is for her good.”

“Before you decide what’s good for her, talk to her. That’s all I’m saying.”

I hum in agreement, and we end the call. My mind is still fettered by his words, by this place. Almost in a daze, I pour myself a cup of coffee and pull off the cloche. My head jerks at the sight of the coconut macaroons, the delicious cookies she sent me in my first ever care package.

* * *

From: autumnthefallqueen

To: lukasspencer

Hi, Lukas,

I hope you’re doing well. I was reading an article on the strenuous training one has to undergo to become a Navy SEAL. I don’t know how you did it! I struggle to keep up my simple routine of running around the block four days a week.

Our town is organizing the annual care package drive and I was wondering if I could send you something. Would it be okay? If so, can you provide me an address where I can ship a care package?