My life has done a complete one-eighty since my arrival in Cherrywood. Starting from superficial things, like having a regular breakfast of protein shakes to a sumptuous plate of pancakes, bacon, and nuts. From living an almost lonely life to every other person asking about my health and if I need something. I’d have thought I’d run for the hills at watching this much chaos. But I can’t.

Because in all this humdrum, there’s a flicker of happiness that surrounds my dead heart whenever Autumn is around. Being with her is like…coming back to a home I didn’t know I even had.

We finally reach the cabin. When we get out of the car, Mr. Big reminds us to shoot him a text so he can be here to pick us up on time. The invite from Maddy was for dinner and drinks, and we didn’t want to take any risks, especially when my arm, even out of the sling, twitches like a motherfucker every once in a while.

A butler opens the door when we ring the doorbell, and we follow him to the patio.

“Welcome, guys,” Maya greets us and leads us to the couch, where there’s a fire roaring.

Andy waves at us from the grill station, where he’s standing with a chef as the thick smell of barbecue fills the air. After giving a final pat to his chef, he marches toward us.

“Thank you for having us.” Autumn hands Maya a bouquet she’s meticulously arranged with the flower shop owner on our way while I present Andy the whiskey bottle Mr. Big and I picked up earlier.

“Thank you so much, but you really didn’t have to bring anything.” Maya smiles as we all take seats.

The view from this place is breathtaking, reminding me of my best friend Zane Teager’s house. Remembering him, I’m once again filled with guilt. We haven’t talked since the accident, at least not properly. The Teagers have texted me, including the wives—Rose, Hope, and Vienna—asking about my health, but I know they’re still upset with the fact that I kept Autumn’s existence a secret.

“Have you guys visited Cherrywood before?” Autumn asks as Andy pours champagne in four flutes.

“No and I regret it so much.” Maya looks around. The sky isn’t dark yet, and there are pink and purple hues of evening light in the sky. “I’m so thankful to Vienna Teager, the blogger of Beauty in Food, for tagging your inn in her wedding pictures. If I could, I’d send her a bouquet of roses.”

“You could if you like. Her husband is Lukas’ best friend.” As soon as the words are out of Autumn’s mouth, she looks at me with wide eyes.