Page 28

I can’t get enough.

When she’s near me, I bathe in her energy.

When she’s away, I miss her presence to the point where I can’t think.

Can’t concentrate. I’m surprising her with dinner this evening to celebrate the job she doesn’t know I’ve obtained.

I had the interview on Friday – an experience I’ve never had before, but they liked me.

It was something about my keen sense of detail, my demeanor and the thoroughness of my answers that impressed them.

I killed it.

My father would be proud. I’m still not communicating with him, though, and my mother hasn’t come by either. She’s tired of our constant disagreements. I am, too, so while I’m free of their influence, I’m getting my life together finally with the help of one, sweet, beautiful woman.

In my small kitchen, I’ve lit candles and even tried my hand at cooking something a bit more complicated – lasagna. I prepared a salad and now, I just need her.

My phone shakes me out of my thoughts. Nico’s calling. I haven’t talked to him in a minute. I’m curious to see what he’s been up to but most likely, he’s calling for an update on me like he always does.

“Hey, what’s up, Nico?”

“Yo, what’s up with you, my boy?”

“Chillin’, waiting for my girl to get here.”

“Wait—what did I miss?”

“Autumn. We’re together now.”

“Stop playing with me, Judah.”

“I’m not.”

“That’s great man!”

I hear the sheer excitement in his voice. “Thanks.”

“In all honesty, I kinda knew it would be her.”

“Whatever, man. There’s no way you could’ve known that.”

“I did. Every time I came down to hang with you and your crew, I always thought to myself how you surround yourself with these beautiful women and not one captured your interest. Then, when Autumn came, I saw something different. Saw how you weren’t able to take your eyes off of her, but then when she left that day—the first day I met her actually—you ran after her.

I was like, yeah, if there was ever a woman for you, it was her. But congratulations, man.”

“Thanks. I’m waiting on her now to celebrate my new job.”

“Your new—who is this and what have you done with Judah?”

I chuckle. “I fell out with my father. He fired me from the store, and I’m glad he did.

Since I’ve been with Autumn, I’m starting to see things more clearly.

I feel like I’ve been stuck for a long time.

You’ve been trying to tell me that, but it’s her perspective that has helped me the most. I love her, man. ”

“I’m glad. I thought after that thing with Emori, you were broken forever.”

“It wasn’t that. It’s more about the cancer.”

“Man, you’re in remission, brother. You know how many people don’t make it that far? I wouldn’t worry about any of that. Live your life. Be happy. I’m excited for you to start this next chapter.”

I take a deep breath and say, “I am, too, actually. It feels nice to look forward to something.”

“No doubt.”

“Enough about me, though. What have you been up to?”

“Work. I was calling to tell you I’ll be that way soon.”

“Cool. Let me know when, and we’ll set something up.”

“Bet.”

“Hey, I think I just heard Autumn pull up, so I’m going to get off this phone.”

“Okay, man. Later.”

I get up from the chair, walk to the door, and sure enough, I see my woman getting out of the car. I don’t wait for her to make it to the porch. I step outside, jog down the stairs, and take her into my arms.

“Welcome home, baby.”

She smiles. “You act like you didn’t just see me last night.”

“Even a few minutes away from you is too long.”

She snickers. “I work Monday through Friday.”

“And I’m sitting over here staring at the clock, waiting.”

She kisses my lips and says, “Come on. Let’s go inside. It smells like you cooked something. Did you cook for me?”

“I did.”

“Then let’s go because all I had at Riley’s was a martini.”

“Oh yeah? Let me taste.”

“I don’t have any more, silly.”

“I mean your tongue.”

“Oh,” she says, angling her face to mine then says, “Taste all you want.”

I lean down and capture the sweetness of her lips – the pure joy of kissing her without any doubt, fear or worry in my mind. The feeling is unmatched. Her tongue is delectable and her moans are music to my ears.

I pull away from her and say, “Your friend makes a good martini.”

She chuckles, slaps me in the chest, and says, “Stop being silly.”

“She does.” I scoop her up in my arms, carry her up the stairs while she squirms, and then lower her to the porch. “I cooked dinner.”

Entering the house, she says, “And you lit candles.”

“I did. Go get comfortable and then come back and have a seat.”

“Okay. Be right back.”

She goes straight to the bathroom. I pull out some ceramic plates that I didn’t even realize were in the cabinet, wipe them down, and then put our food on the table.

When she returns, she says, “Everything looks so good, Judah.”

“I’m glad you approve.”

I pray over the meal and then she digs in. “This is soo good,” she exclaims.

“You don’t have to be nice.”

“No, I mean it. It’s delicious!”

I watch her eat for a moment and then say, “Autumn, I have something to tell you.”

She stops eating abruptly and says, “Nope. You’re not breaking up with me. I told you I’ll fight you and I meant that.”

I laugh, but she’s not laughing. She raises a brow.

I say, “I’m not breaking up with you, sweetheart. I wanted to celebrate tonight because you’re looking at the newest senior-level economist for the city of Asheville.”

Her eyes grow big. “Stop playing with me.”

“I’m not. It’s official.”

“Are you serious?”

“I start on Monday.”

“Oh my God! Judah, I’m so happy for you!”

She gets up, wraps her arms around my neck, and holds me here in her embrace. Then I feel wetness slide down the side of my face.

“Autumn, are you crying?”

“Yes, but they’re happy tears.”

“But, why are you crying, sweetheart?”

“Because I’ve watched you grow and transform into this person, Judah. I’m so proud of you for everything you’ve accomplished. You deserve this and so much more.”

“Thank you for saying that,” I tell her, wiping her tears before she returns to her seat. “But I have you. I don’t need much else.”

The tears flow again. She walks back over to me and straddles me, her tears dampening my shoulder. I close my eyes and connect fully with her emotions. The joy is overwhelming. Immeasurable. This woman loves me unshakably deep. I love her the same.