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Autumn, who lay naked and gorgeous andnestled into Kate’s side, shook her head. “Not opening today. I give myself oneor two days a week to sleep in, if only a couple of hours more. Why? You tryingto get rid of me?”

“I’m trying to keep you,” Kate said, andpressed a kiss onto her forehead. “I also don’t want you to ever put yourclothes on again.”

“That might pull looks.”

She laughed and pulled Autumn in closer. Shelet her eyes drift closed and felt the humming of her body, satisfied and heavyfrom Autumn’s expert attention. She was a firecracker in every aspect of herlife, and the bedroom was certainly included. “Hey, do you have names yet?”Kate rested the side of her head on her palm.

“As in baby names?”

“Yeah.”

“That’s something you would want to talkabout?”

Kate softened. “Of course it is. You don’thave to keep your actual life tucked away. You act like talking about what youhave going on is a burden. Your doctor’s visit, this conversation—all things Iwant to participate in, because they’re connected to you. Do you get it now?”

Autumn sat up in bed, pulling the blanketwith her. She smiled, and blinked back sleepily. “I get it now.”

“So, what are the names?”

“I don’t have any,” she said simply.

“Come on,” Kate said. “Everyone has thoughtabout what they would name their children.”

Autumn shook her head. “Not me. I think I’mafraid if I do that, I’ll…”

“What?”

“Start to buy into something that would makeme happy. But what if it doesn’t happen? What if it doesn’t belong to me? Namesjust seem too…assumptive. Big things don’t tend to happen in my life. So I’mcautious.”

Kate understood that Autumn was not the typewho did much for herself. She worked hard, looked out for otherpeople—especially her friends—and expected the worst from pretty much everyother aspect of life. Maybe that was Olivia’s fault. Maybe her mother’s.Regardless, it made Kate want happiness so badly for Autumn it hurt.

“Hey, look at me. It’s okay to hope. Andwhile I don’t have any sort of guarantee, I know in my heart that this is goingto happen for you, and I want you to start thinking that way, too.”

A ghost of a smile passed Autumn’s lips.“It’s terrifying, but I can try.”

“Try hard, because you’re the most deservingperson I know. And the most amazing, and not just when you’re vertical.”

Autumn grinned fully at the cheeky comment.“Okay, I’m gonna say something here. Are you ready?”

“Ready.”

“Do you know what you do for me?”

Kate shook her head.

“Well, beyond the obvious”—Autumn bounced hereyebrows—“you give me confidence, and it’s the strangest feeling.”

“Nope. All I did was remind you.”

She lay back down in bed with her cheek turnedto Kate. “When can I see you again?”

“Are you free for a late lunch?”

“Today’s my lucky day. I am.”

She snuggled back into Kate, and they caughtwhat little sleep they could before Autumn had to head over to Pajamas. Theirdate and the memorable night that followed felt like a breakthrough. Sheremembered the words she’d spoken to Autumn on the beach. She’d never been inlove. That part was true, but Autumn was different from any other girl she’dever been with. In her heart of hearts, she knew that much.

How did she get here? It had all started outso innocently. Okay, not entirely, as they’d had sex on the first date. Theworry crept in, the fear that she was no longer in control. She’d be headinghome soon, and these would all be just memories to pull out on occasion whenshe went one way and Autumn went another. As difficult as that pill was toswallow, she realized how important it was to remind herself of their reality.She’d continue to see Autumn, but she’d have to find a way to guard her heart.