Page 23 of Promised Love
You’re welcome.
- Lukas
P.S. Just remember to stay safe during such late events. There are always people who are simply trouble. Avoid those fuckers.
6
LUKAS
I have a better grip of my surroundings when I wake up the next time. I open my eyes and stare up at the ceiling of the hospital room.
“How are you feeling?”
Everything inside me stills at hearing her sweet voice. The next time I inhale, the familiar smell of orchids and sandalwood hits me.
“If you don’t want to see me, I can leave.”
When I turn to look at her, my heart fucking stops. She’s even prettier than I remember.
Unlike the last time I saw her—four years back—there aren’t any freckles on her cheeks, and her skin is flawless.
She’s wearing a soft white pullover and black jeans. Her hands run over her covered arms. There’s a touch of makeup on her face. Her eyebrows are more sharply done, but her heart-shaped lips are as before, painted in pink.
“Are you just going to stare at me?”
Her nose is pink too. I don’t know if it’s due to anger or if she was crying for me. And wouldn’t I fucking love both of those scenarios.
“How are you?” I ask.
“You’re asking me? How are you?” Autumn walks closer to me and flops down on an empty chair. Before I can reply, she says, “I have so many questions. You’re here. You have been for the past four years. Why didn’t you tell me?”
When I groan, her voice gets softer. “I was so scared.”
“I’m okay. Did you forget I’m the daredevil?” I give her a smile, even though my arm is hurting like a bitch.
“Why didn’t you tell me, Lukas?” Her voice sounds heavier than I imagined. I don’t know if this is her usual voice or if she’s emotional. Our exchange has always been through emails and letters.
“You know why.”
“I do not!” She jumps out of her seat. “You wrote to me on my birthday a few months back. You sent me a present for God’s sake.”
She tucks her auburn hair behind her ear and I hold my breath. I fist the thin hospital blanket at the sight of the fall leaf earrings I’d sent her on her birthday.
I’m at a jewelry shop with my best friend, Zane Teager, who’s buying an engagement ring for his fake wife. They’re getting married so he can provide insurance for her. This will either end up with a happily ever after or it’ll rip my friend’s heart out, because he doesn’t do fake.
I take a step back as Zane explains to Mr. Hart how he wants something eternal for Vienna.
But his next words are lost on me as I spot orange earrings in the shape of fall leaves, reminding me of her.
From: autumnthefallqueen
To: lukasspencer
Oh my God, Lukas.
Thank you so much for the best birthday gift. These are so pretty.
I can’t believe you found them at Hart’s Jewelers, of all places. For a second, I thought you were in Cherrywood, but then I realized you purchased them online.