Fuck. I give myself permission to wrap my arms around the only person in this whole fucking world I can call mine.

Other than her, there’s no one.

My loner heart found its twin flame in the one I’ve promised to set free.

I take another whiff of her sandalwood and orchid smell before pulling back, and she takes the hint.

It’s so fucking hard not to run my hand over her scarlet cheeks, knowing I’m the reason for that blush.

“I can’t believe this, Lukas.” Her disbelief is evident in her big eyes. “I don’t know what to do,” she whispers, digging her teeth into that bottom lip and looking at me as if I’m the goddamn answer to all her questions.

I know if we stay standing in her warm and cozy office for any longer, I’ll definitely do something stupid. To save us both from myself, I tell her, “Proper planning would be a good start. You’ll impress your clients more if you have some solid plans to discuss tonight.”

“Oh, yes! Yes!” She almost flies to the desk and grabs her laptop and notes. “I’ll be with Chiara. I’ll see you in a few hours.”

When she leaves the room, I take another deep breath and inhale the faint whiff of sandalwood and orchids she left behind.

I enter the suite and call Connor so we can devise a tentative plan. A few hours later, I send an email to Andy Bruno for his input.

* * *

Mr. Big drives us to the cabin that Maddy has rented for a week.

“I can’t believe they’re living in Cherrywood for three days and no one had a clue about it.” Autumn, who’s sitting beside me on the back seat, has a dreamy lilt in her voice. “I’m now wondering what other celebrities have graced our town with their presence.”

“Some of my friends once told me they saw Julie Andrews at a local restaurant,” Mr. Big adds. “I lurked around that place every day for a month hoping to catch a glimpse of her.”

“I didn’t know you had a thing for Mary Poppins, Mr. Big.” Autumn’s eyes dance with mischief, and I can’t help the small smile pulling on my lips.

“What can I say? I was a young boy, and she was quite pleasing to look at.”

Autumn chuckles, and every time she’s laughed, smiled, or giggled these past few days, I’ve felt like there was a new light in the world meant only for me.