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…
Huck downed a shot of bourbon. Normally, he’d be at Penny’s BBQ, but he wanted to be alone, so instead he’d gone to the dive bar on the outskirts of town. All he could think about was what his dad had said earlier. He wanted Autumn to stay. Wanted her to take over his shop. Yeah, he knew what that meant. It meant she’d be around. For a hell of a long time, if not forever.
He clanked the glass against the bar when he set it down harder than he’d realized. This was a shit storm. Autumn was a gigantic risk. One that entailed trust and commitment. Because he knew two things for certain. If she stayed in town, there was no way a night, a week, or even a fucking year would ever be enough for him. He’d want her…all the time. Second, he was falling for her. Maybe he fell the night he met her. The idea of not seeing her? Of her leaving? That was what made his skin tight and his whole body hurt.
Autumn may be a gigantic risk, but the reward would more than pay out. Because that’s what she was. A reward. The kind he wanted to experience and hang on to.
He pulled out his cell and dialed her number.
After a single ring, she sent him straight to voicemail.
…
“So you’re really taking the job in LA?” Penny asked, looking at her from across the counter.
Autumn ignored the third call in a row from Huck, then shoved her phone in her pocket.
“Yeah. I’m done in Diamond.”
“I’m happy you got the job and all…” Penny said. Though she smiled, her face did a weird, sad thing.
“Is something wrong?”
“I’m just going to miss you.”
“I’ve only been here two weeks.” Hardly long enough for Penny to get too attached to her.
“Yeah, but I like you. And I’m not the only one,” Penny said. “And you get things off high shelves for me when Bass isn’t around.”
Autumn laughed, and so did Penny.
“Seriously though, I’m not the only one who will miss you if you go,” Penny said.
No question who Penny was talking about. But Autumn and Huck had both known things were temporary. He’d never asked her about her plans after she was done housesitting for Jenna. Maybe because he didn’t care to know. Or maybe because he understood, just like she did, that they had an expiration date. She was never meant to stay in Diamond. Never made plans or promises to do so. She’d housesat for two weeks. And time was about up.
Beyond that, he’d had an opportunity to ask her stay. One his own father thought he’d take, and he didn’t. The picture couldn’t be clearer than that. Huck didn’t want her. And she wouldn’t stick around to have that pointed out anymore.
“Have you thought about staying?” Penny asked. “I bet Pete would hire you full time.”
Autumn almost laughed because that was an option. Pete was wonderful. Treated her well and, actually, had dropped hints about a long-term deal he’d be willing to make her. Too bad she couldn’t take the job since his son wanted nothing to do with her long-term. No, she had to leave. And fast.
Seeing him again, but knowing she couldn’t keep him, would kill her. And she would see him again if she lingered there any longer.
“There’s a lot that’s wrong with that idea.”
“Why?” Penny asked.
“Putting faith in someone or something and having it not work out leaves some gaps in life. I’ve had my share of gaps. I don’t want any more.”
“Unless you lay your concerns out there.” Penny leaned closer and patted Autumn’s hand. “I’ve been where you are. Guys sometimes need to hear you say exactly what you want.”
“It doesn’t matter. I know what Huck wants. And what he doesn’t.”
“He wants you,” Penny said. “You just have to admit to yourself first.”
Penny had no idea what was going on and Autumn wasn’t about to go into details about how Huck would rather avoid her than tell her about the shop offer. Now he was calling, likely for one last fuck before she took off.
“Just talk to him,” Penny said.
