Page 34 of In Case You Didn't Know

The one you kissed like he was yours, then ran from like a coward.

So instead I change the subject. “So what’s up? You didn’t call just to check on my caffeine intake.”

“Okay, fine. I have news. Big news. We’re leaving next week.”

I blink. “Leaving where?”

“Liberty.” She sounds giddy. “Parker signed a deal to commentate the NFL International Series.”

My mouth drops open. “Wait, seriously? You’re moving?”

“Just for a couple of months. London will be our base, but we’ll be traveling to Berlin, Madrid, Rome… It’s wild.”

“Autumn, that’s amazing!” I know how much she loves to travel.

“I know!” Her voice lifts. “But terrifying. I’m still trying to convince myself I won’t fall apart on a twelve-hour flight.”

I laugh. “You’ll be amazing. London won’t know what hit it.”

“Come with me.”

I snort. “Tempting, but I’m three weeks behind on my book and currently heading to dinner with one of my brothers.”

“Ugh. Which one?”

“Myles.”

“Oh God. Wear armor.”

I smile wryly. “Thanks for the pep talk.”

“You’re going to be fine,” she says, her voice softening. “But seriously, Francie... is everything okay? You’ve seemed a little... off.”

“I’m fine. Really,” I promise. “And anyway, you’ve been busy. With everything that’s going on.”

“Yeah.” She exhales. “It’s been kind of a whirlwind. Between Hudson falling for Skyler and Ayda starting to talk... it’s like everything shifted overnight.”

I smile at the mention of Ayda. “She’s really talking now?”

“Mostly to Skyler,” Autumn says, and I can hear the warmth in her voice. “It’s like she cracked some secret code. Hudson’s completely smitten with the both of them. Honestly, I think that’s the only reason I feel okay leaving the island. For the first time in a long time, they don’t need me.”

“That’s huge.”

“Tell me about it,” she says. “I’ve spent so long worrying about Ayda, about Hudson. Now it’s like I can finally breathe.”

She pauses. “Which is why I really want you to come with us. I want you to breathe, too.”

I close my eyes for a moment, resting my head against the cool glass of the window. The city rushes past in a blur of headlights and neon, all too fast, too loud, too everything.

“I love that you want that for me,” I murmur. “But right now breathing looks a lot like writing until my fingers fall off.”

Autumn sighs. “Okay. But promise me when you’re famous and everyone’s fighting to turn your books into movies, you’ll take a real break and come drink mimosas with me in Europe, on Liberty. Wherever.”

“Only if I get to wear a tiara,” I say, and she laughs.

“Obviously.”

We say our goodbyes right as the car pulls up in front of the old stone building that houses Myles’ club – one of those private members’ only places with heavy doors, polite doormen, and a wine list that probably costs more than my rent. I thank the driver and step out, adjusting my bag on my shoulder.