Andy nods, even though it wasn’t exactly a question.

I lean back on the couch. “I co-own Kings Security with Connor and his brother, Gavin. We’d be happy to work with you.”

There’s a small window of silence. I’m sure our celebrity guests are wondering why the hell they weren’t informed about this before. What they don’t know is at Kings Security we take some sort of sadistic pleasure in taking each other by surprise.

“Wow, what a small world,” Maya exclaims. “We were just talking to Connor this morning. I’m so happy that everything is working out so great.” And then she immediately changes gears, turning to face Autumn. “Why don’t you and Lukas have dinner with us? We can flesh out these plans some more and also discuss how to keep this a secret.”

My pulse escalates when Autumn looks at me for subtle permission, and I don’t know how I feel about it. In the past, whenever she wrote me an email, unsure about herself or failing her family in some way, I always reminded her to believe in herself.

But right this second, I fucking love that she’s turning to me. Her dark eyes dart around, but her shoulders relax when I nod.

“We’d love to,” Autumn responds.

With her grin still in place, Maya pulls open the zipper of her shoulder bag and slides a check toward Autumn. “We would like to pay in full and confirm our booking.”

“We can wait for this until the evening, Maya.” Disbelief laces Autumn’s voice, and she makes no attempt to grab the check.

I’m sure she’s equally nervous and excited.

Our celebrity couple gets up, and we follow them.

Maya then extends her arm over the table to grab Autumn’s. “We’re sure this is the place for us. You might have to close the inn for other guests for a few days, so I went ahead and added in some extra.” She motions toward the untouched check on the table.

Mr. Big and Chiara lead the couple out, but I don’t miss Chiara mouthing, “Woooow.” Her mouth opens wide as she stretches out the word.

When the door closes, Autumn hesitates for several beats before grabbing the check. Her eyes lock with mine after she reads the amount. A variety of expressions appear and evaporate from her face. “They’re freaking serious!”

I hum, but before I can say anything out loud, she throws her arms around me. “Oh my God, Lukas!”

I can’t breathe for a second, as something heavy gets locked in my throat. I know this moment will remain ingrained in my head forever—the first time this daredevil realizes he has a weakness, and it’s wrapped inside the lithe body of his twenty-two-year-old wife.

Wife.