I Knew You Were Trouble - 20 (Patreon)

As we close out the month, I'm just going to express how appreciative I am of this space, once more.

The first half of June was, health-wise, terrible. Jumping back into writing this month after, I did my best to ~take things easy (not my natural setting)/easier.

Here is hoping to an exciting July 👀

Part Twenty

It felt like the craziest most nonsensical thing in the world for Maya, to wake up on Monday morning and go to work.

Like, sure, that was technically normal.

But she’d had the most momentous weekend of her entire life. She’d told Autumn she loved her. They were in a relationship. Autumn had opened up to her.

And now… she went back to work.

Insane how that happened.

Still, she had more of a pep in her step than she’d ever had walking into work. And Maya didn’t even dislike going to work, so that was saying something.

Even though she’d seen Autumn twelve hours ago, though, she wanted more. Autumn and the twins had left her place by seven – Maya and the twins both reluctant about it, while Autumn had seemed… antsy. Like she hadn’t wanted to leave, but also didn’t necessarily know what to do with herself. And fine, it made sense. Honor and Haven needed to really settle into their routine at their new high school, Autumn and Maya needed to get ready for their work week.

Maya took a deep, bracing breath before she walked into their shared office area.

Autumn and Charlotte were both already present; she could hear Charlotte on a phone call, and Autumn’s quiet but constant typing on her keyboard.

She walked in, attempting to quiet the fluttering in her stomach when she looked over at Autumn.

In her suit, she looked the same as always. Absolutely fucking gorgeous. Her long, blonde hair tied back into a neat bun, totally understated, but highlighting her minimally made-up face.

Yeah, Autumn looked the same as she did every day for the last two years that Maya had seen her at work, and her stomach still flip-flopped.

Maya didn’t even try to tamp down on her smile – it would be impossible, and what was the point? “Good morning.”

She diverted from her route to her own desk to put a cup of coffee on the corner of Autumn’s from the café she’d popped into downstairs. She then utilized her rather impressive self-control, and didn’t move toward Autumn another inch. Instead, she turned toward her own desk.

As she turned on her computer and unpacked her bag, she could hear that Autumn hadn’t resumed her typing.

And when she glanced up, she found Autumn’s gaze trained intently on her, eyebrows furrowed deeply, her lips pulled into a deep frown.

Immediately confused, Maya returned the expression. “Um. What?”

If anything, Autumn’s frown deepened, her eyes narrowing. “What are you doing?”

Maya paused, confusion sliding into bafflement, as she started glancing around her desk. She had Charlotte’s precious – actually, legitimately precious – physical planner. Her tablet. Her own coffee.

She then turned her attention down at her own outfit. She’d had her head in the clouds a bit this morning, admittedly, when she’d been getting ready. Maybe she’d, like, put on the wrong shirt or something?

But, no. She was wearing the button-up and the blazer she’d intended to pair it with. All of the buttons were done up even. She wasn’t even setting out to tease Autumn today! Consummate professional.

Slowly, she dragged her gaze back to Autumn, arching her a look. “I truly have no clue. What am I doing?”

Expression pinched in exasperation, Autumn simply stared at her for a few seconds. Before she glanced at Charlotte’s office door – mostly closed, only an inch or so open, and Charlotte wasn’t visible from the crack.

Maya’s attention was utterly transfixed as Autumn planted her hands on her desk and purposefully pushed herself up. Before she walked around her desk with determined strides, across to Maya’s desk, and then right up to Maya, herself.

The way her stomach had been fluttering before multiplied at Autumn’s proximity. They weren’t quite touching, but she could feel her body heat, and every inhale she took was filled with Autumn’s subtle perfume.

“Are we not…” Autumn broke off, working her jaw back and forth, before continuing in a quiet voice, “In a relationship, now?”

Yeah, her confusion wasn’t going anywhere. “The last I checked, yes. And I sure as hell hope nothing has changed in the last twelve hours.”

“Well, I hope the same thing. But when you walked in, you barely looked at me.”

Maya’s mouth fell open in shock. That was what this was all about?! “Seriously?” She asked, a laugh filtering into her voice. “You’re… upset–” She studied Autumn’s expression. Though Autumn was so reserved and really didn’t give much away outwardly, Maya knew her well by now. Well enough to see that Autumn wasn’t mad. “Because I smiled at you and said good morning?”

Those blue eyes narrowed to little slits. “You’ve given me more elaborate greetings when we were simply sleeping together. You’ve given me more excited, chatty greetings before we were sleeping together.”

“Which, for the record, you’ve maintained for a very long time that you didn’t like,” Maya couldn’t help but point out, tilting her head up at Autumn.

Her cheeks flushed, and she huffed out a breath. “Be that as it may,” she allowed, “I just… expected… something more this morning.”

A warmth washed through Maya’s entire body, head to toe but mostly centering in in her chest. Even so, she couldn’t help but breathe out an exasperated chuckle. “I thought you’d prefer my chill approach.”

“Since when are you chill?” Autumn challenged.

Offense filtered through her. “I would say that I’ve been very chill, throughout our entire situationship-turned-relationship.”

And Maya stood by that. She’d never taken any of their bad moments to work, she’d never let anything affect her ability to coexist with Autumn here. She’d taken everything that had happened in the last month in stride, realizing that she fucking loved Autumn with her entire being and still hadn’t made it Autumn’s business until Autumn had pushed for it.

Added bonus: the one time they’d had sex in that closet – which, now that it was back on the table, the closet seemed to be taunting her out of the corner of her eye – Autumn had initiated it.

“Fine,” Autumn allowed, holding her hands up. “You have been chill, in a sense. But you’re very rarely chill about me.”

Maya could accept that counter. Because no, she’d never really been able to hold herself back from Autumn. Even, as Autumn had pointed out, long before they’d ever fucked. Maya liked to chat with her, even when Autumn had only given monosyllabic responses.

“Look, I hear you. But… Autumn,” she searched her gaze, imploring, “The very last thing I imagined you’d want is me sweeping in here on the first day of work we have together after deciding to embark on a relationship and strutting up to you to plant a kiss first thing in the morning.”

Autumn had to understand where she was coming from.

“If it was up to me, and what I wanted to do? I’d have spun your chair around and kissed you,” her voice dipped to a whisper, as she lowered her gaze to Autumn’s mouth.

She couldn’t stop herself from licking her own lips, wanting so badly to feel the press of Autumn’s against her.

It had been a whirlwind weekend, but… it had been weeks before that. And now that the fuse had been re-ignited, Maya hadn’t stopped feeling it.

“But,” she managed, her voice hoarse, as she looked back up into Autumn’s eyes rather than completely lose herself in staring at her mouth. “I don’t really know what’s the precedent, here. Do we kiss when we see each other? When we say goodbye? It’s kind of difficult, with Honor and Haven not knowing about us, and then us being at work.”

God, Maya hadn’t even really had to think about just how painfully difficult this was going to be. They were in a relationship, but… they were going to be operating in stolen moments, still?

She certainly wasn’t going to let it derail this, but it wasn’t the best situation to be in, either.

“I don’t know,” Autumn breathed out, before she tightly closed her eyes. “As you know, I’ve never had something like this. I just know–” She opened her eyes again, the look in them so intense. “That when you walked in a couple of minutes ago, I thought you’d kiss me. And I wanted you to. Even though I probably shouldn’t, because – this is work. And it’s incredibly inappropriate. We haven’t even cleared it with Charlotte yet–”

Before Autumn could talk herself out of this – and it really sounded like she might. It sounded like she was undeniably exasperated with herself – Maya pushed up onto her tiptoes and kissed her.

Her eyes fluttered closed at the contact, simple and soft as it was.

Maybe because it was so soft and simple.

When had she and Autumn kissed like this? Just because. They’d shared so many kisses in the last several months, but never the easy, sweet moments Maya had craved.

She reached up, gently gliding her hand over Autumn’s shoulder, then down her arm. Just because she could. And, even as she felt the tension holding Autumn up like a puppet’s strings, she could also feel the way she sighed into her mouth.

A pointed throat cleared from behind them. Charlotte’s throat, to be exact.

The surprised, caught feeling that wound through her didn’t dim any of Maya’s lovestruck ardor, to be totally honest. She wasn’t ashamed of this; she felt absolutely no guilt about it – it’s not like they’d been having a salacious make out.

And… really, nothing could make her regret any kiss from Autumn.

But she felt that tension that had slightly started to fade, shoot right back through Autumn, before she quickly pulled back, putting at least a full foot of space between them.  

The color in Autumn’s cheeks was high, a bright pink, as she looked at Charlotte. “I – I apologize. That was…”

“Technically, you’re not on the clock for another–” Charlotte glanced down at her watch. “Thirty seconds. So, I do hope you made the best of it.”

“We did,” Maya assured her, a grin playing on her lips.

Autumn shot her a wide-eyed, reproachful look.

Charlotte looked between them, her amusement obvious. Still, she arched them a serious stare after another beat. “If you recall, I spoke to believing in both of your commitments to professionalism, several months ago. I’d like to believe my assessment will remain accurate.”

“Absolutely, boss.” Maya saluted for good measure.

“Without a doubt,” Autumn said at the same time.

Admittedly, it would be trying. Because now she knew Autumn actually wanted to kiss her hello in the morning. But, even without the look on Autumn’s face right now, she knew how seriously Autumn would take Charlotte’s comment to heart.

“Great. Maya, can you forward me the minutes from my meeting last Friday with Hastings?”

“On it.” She saluted again, because why not?

Charlotte nodded. “Thank you.” She took a step back into her office, before turning back to face them, gesturing behind her at the door. “I’m going to shut this while I take my next phone call…” She trailed off, a teasing warning in her tone.

Maya’s laughter broke from her lips immediately, before she reached up to physically stifle herself.

Charlotte was kidding, and it was fucking funny.

But Autumn wasn’t laughing, so Maya diligently attempted to be a good girlfriend, and shoulder some of her seriousness.

Charlotte did, indeed, close her door, with a small smirk on her face.

Autumn groaned, dropping her head into her hands. “What is wrong with me?” She muttered.

“You find me irresistible,” Maya gently teased, moving close enough to bump her hip into Autumn’s.

She saw it as an aspect of her responsibility in life, though, to be a part of Autumn’s life that could help her smile. That could brighten up a situation she found difficult or stressful.

Autumn’s hands dropped to her sides, giving Maya an exasperated glare. “I… am not going to dignify that with a response, as we are officially on the clock for the day.”

With that, Autumn pushed away from Maya’s desk, heading back to her own.

Maya dropped down in her own chair, feeling absolutely refreshed for the day. “Hey, at least it puts a bit of a positive spin on me eventually leaving for my new job. You won’t have to figure out how to keep your hands off me during work hours.”

Autumn snapped her head up, leveling her with an affronted look. “I am not ready to joke about that.”

Her tone left no room for argument, and Maya respected it, holding up her hands in silent acknowledgment.

She had scheduled herself into one of Charlotte’s afternoon availabilities later this week to discuss logistics. But, once she’d had a minute last night to think about anything happening in her life that wasn’t Autumn Autumn Autumn, she’d made herself a timeline. She figured preparing to leave in about six weeks made sense, after she’d looked over everything Charlotte had coming up, as well as factoring in time for Autumn, Honor, and Haven to really get situated in this new schedule, in their new lives.

She’d never leave them in a lurch, not for any job opportunity.

After a moment of quiet beat between them, she cleared her throat. “Autumn?”

Autumn paused her typing, promptly turning her attention back to Maya. “Yes, Maya?”

“I appreciate you telling me how you felt, instead of letting anything feel weird between us,” she stated, meaning every syllable.

Even if Autumn had ended up embarrassed, hating having gotten caught by Charlotte, what she’d just done was so different than how she’d have acted toward Maya when they’d been hooking up.

“Yes. Well.” Autumn cleared her throat. “That’s… a relationship. I think.”

“It is. And, from here on out, we will figure out a system so I can greet you appropriately in the morning without Charlotte catching something.”

“That sounds good.”

Maya waited another second before adding on, “I should also let you know that I think you look quite beautiful this morning.”

She grinned, watching the blush bloom under Autumn’s cheeks, even as she set her jaw and returned her focus back to her computer.

“We’re on the clock,” Autumn stated, primly.

She hummed back, turning to log into her account.

Autumn spoke after another few seconds ticked by, “But – so do you. Look… beautiful, that is.”

“Why thank you, colleague,” Maya returned, trying to stay as self-contained as possible.

It was hard, when she wanted to tip her chair backwards and do a little dance that mirrored the way she felt these tingling feelings inside.

They’d crossed through so many levels. From Autumn’s birthday sex, and the softness and physical intimacy that had been allowed there, to – well, everything Autumn had opened up to her about, allowing emotional intimacy in a way that both broke Maya’s heart with everything she leaned, but also made her feel so honored.

Even so, all of those moments existed outside of here. Outside of work, where Autumn was typically so buttoned-up.

Autumn gutturally cleared her throat once – then again a few seconds later, and Maya finished typing her password, then hit Enter before glancing up at her.

Any teasing comment she might have thought about making died on her lips when she saw the blistering look Autumn was aiming at her. Solemn and purposeful, her shoulders drawn back, spine straight.

Before Maya could ask if she was all right, the words spilled out from Autumn’s mouth, “Should we go on a date?”

It sounded like she was speaking deliberately slowly, as if to make herself slow down and enunciate. Like she knew she might push through everything, words rolling into the next, if she allowed it to happen.

“I’m not going to say no, if you’re asking. Obviously.” Maya returned, tensing all of her muscles in an effort to stay seated, stay cool and – outwardly – calm.

Autumn nodded, looking as though she’d just done something arduous yet rewarding, as she turned back to her work. “Great. All right, then. I’ll figure out the details and let you know.”

Maya stared at her for several long moments before she was able to return to her own work. She really fucking loved this woman.

***

“We have a date!” She announced with a shout, the excitement bubbling over inside of her as soon as she shut her apartment door that night.

The announcement was both to Tort and the call to Gwen and Ruby.

While Tort meowed at her and wound between her feet – dangerous, given that she was starting to dance around – both of her sisters shouted in victory.

After all, they’d all been here to witness the highs and lows of the last several months. It was only right to share in the triumphs.

***

Maya – 1:23P.M.Soooo… what are you wearing?

She glanced over at Autumn who was sitting on the adjacent bench in the back of Charlotte’s town car, giddy with anticipation as Autumn looked at her phone.

Which Autumn did… slowly. Taking her absolute time.

It wasn’t shocking, admittedly.

After all, Maya had been the first one to get into the car, followed by Autumn – Charlotte had been running a minute or two behind them – and even though Maya had taken the seat farthest in, leaving plenty of space next to her, Autumn had chosen to sit in the seat farthest away from her.

Somehow, she’d finagled it so that Charlotte was between them, even though she’d entered the car last!

It was so Autumn, though, Maya couldn’t even be frustrated by it.

Since getting caught by Charlotte at the beginning of this week, they’d figured out a rhythm. Mostly starting with – no kissing in the office. Which meant they’d steal a quick moment in the alcove down the hall before being on.

… and, if she could get away with it, a couple other stolen kisses here and there, too.

The funniest thing, really, was how insubstantially things between them had changed. Maya still caught Autumn looking at her from across the office. Maya still chatted her heart away at Autumn, who gave various levels of engagement back.

On the surface, things felt very typical. Normal.

It was just underneath, it felt so much… more.

Because it was more. Because she knew Autumn in a way she’d never fathomed being able to know her, before. And Autumn had let Maya in, in a way she was positive Autumn never imagined she’d let anyone in.

Now, it was Friday, and they were in traffic on their way back to the office, after a very long-winded meeting that had spanned their entire morning. Charlotte was very concentratedly typing something out on her phone, and both Maya and Autumn had been in work-mode for the first forty minutes of this drive.

Now, Maya’s work – for now – was done. She was taking her unofficial lunch break.

And, she’d noted when she’d craned her neck up slightly, Autumn was no longer dedicatedly working through the emails she’d been firing off responses to. So, it stood to reason this was a good time for a little interruption in her day, too.

Autumn’s lips pursed slightly when she glanced down at her phone.

Maya’s breath caught and held as she waited.

And then Autumn swiped the message open – victory.

When she read it, her eyes widened slightly, before she quickly cut a glare across the car at Maya.

Autumn Alton – 1:24P.M.Is that your attempt at being flirtatious with me? Now that it’s “acceptable”

Maya’s eyebrows lifted with interest.

Maya – 1:24P.M.I, honestly, didn’t know it was more acceptable now. Is it?

I think we both know I would have asked you the same thing a couple of months ago

She tilted her head back and forth.

Maya – 1:24P.M.Frankly, your response would prrrrobably have been similar a few months ago

Not that she expected anything different.

The official-relationship-title more to her than she could express. Well, no, actually. Maya could easily express how much that meant to her. She had, in telling Autumn that she loved her.

But she was also a realist.

Even before Autumn had come to her place Sunday to tell her about her past. God, Maya’s stomach twisted so hard, it made her nauseous. It always did, every time she thought about it. And she thought about it, at some point, every day.

Because she thought about Autumn so much every day. And thought about them.

She flicked her gaze up to Autumn, who was doing her best to bite back a smile.

Autumn Alton – 1:25P.M.Yes, it likely would have been similar

I have to admit, I’d expected some better flirting than “what are you wearing”… specifically because you can obviously SEE ME

You know what I’m wearing.

Maya – 1:25P.M.Yes, if I was asking what you’re wearing right now, that would be a little silly

She glanced at Autumn after sending the message, just a quick glimpse. Needless, given that she’d already been with Autumn for the last six hours.

Autumn, in her understated – very fitting, to fall in line as Charlotte’s shadow – long sleeved with a modest neckline black dress, was a sight for sore eyes. Yes, it was a very routine outfit for Autumn to wear to work, but that didn’t mean Maya wasn’t absolutely crazy over it.

But I’m, in fact, asking what you’ll be wearing later tonight

On our date

Unfortunately, their lives were extremely busy.

Well, Autumn’s life, specifically, was busy. Maya’s was due to work, but that was the norm. Autumn not only had their work schedule to contend with and the twins as they were starting to settle into their new normal with school – and now, as of this week, Haven starting a new piano schedule in the afternoon/evenings… they were booked.

She’d gone over and had dinner with the Alton cohort twice, and she and Autumn had a handful of stolen moments both at work and after dinner.

But tonight, the plan was in place. A date. The date that Autumn had asked her on.  

Maya still wasn’t over it.

Autumn Alton – 1:26P.M.Oh

Maya’s lips ticked up into a small smile when she glanced back over at her.

Maya – 1:26P.M.You know… trying to use that as a way to decipher what I should wear

Autumn Alton – 1:26P.M.Right

I would advise on cocktail attire, then

Maya – 1:27P.M.We’re going fancy, then

She really shouldn’t expect anything less from Autumn, she supposed. An exceptional planner, who put in a lot of thought and research.

And Maya couldn’t wait.

***

Maya had even more pep in her step as she approached Autumn’s door then she’d had this week when going to work.

She, actually, felt like she was bouncing. Ridiculous, but true.

Admittedly, she was also a little nervous.

Autumn hadn’t ever done this. The relationship-thing. Not for real. Not… consensually.

Maya knew, without a single doubt or hesitation, that she’d never intentionally hurt Autumn or push her beyond where she was comfortable. But she needed this to be good for her.

She needed, so much, to love Autumn the best anyone could be loved.

No big deal, right?

Breathing out a laugh, she flexed her free hand and shook out any small nerves that remained. This was Autumn. She’d known her for over two years. They’d been hooking up for months. Maya had already put her foot in her mouth around her multiple times, and they worked through it. She’d already told Autumn she loved her. They were having their first date after Maya’s love proclamation and having cemented that they were in a serious relationship.

This was going to be fine. This was going to be better than fine, it was going to be –

The slightly nervous, but still cheek-aching smile on her lips slipped slightly when the door opened and it wasn’t Autumn.

“Hey – Honor. Hey, Honor,” Maya managed to recover relatively smoothly, despite her surprise at seeing the teenager here at the door.

The plan had been that Honor and Haven were going to spend a couple of hours having dinner with Hamish and his daughter. Autumn had been very sly in arranging it so that there were no raised eyebrows. Well, other than Hamish’s.

Maya was picking Autumn up even though Autumn had made the date plans, because Autumn didn’t have a car. She’d thought her timing had been perfect…?

“Hi,” Honor returned, quietly. Reserved, really, was the best word for it.

Which was odd, because Honor – and Haven, though she’d taken a little longer – had stopped being quiet and reserved around her, for weeks, now.

The alarm bells were already ringing in the back of her head. “Everything okay?”

Honor bit her lip, then shrugged. Then stopped, and shook her head. “I don’t… I don’t really know.”

Big, loud, crazy alarm bells.

“What’s going on?” She asked, keeping her voice low, as soothing as she could. “Is Autumn here?”

She had no clue where else she would be, but the thought that something might have happened to her was petrifying –

Honor nodded, but before she said anything else, Autumn approached from behind her.

And Autumn looked very similar to Honor, her expression riddled with muted emotion. Like she had a lot going on, but was biting it back and trying to keep it contained under the surface.

Autumn’s hand landed on Honor’s shoulder when she reached them, giving her a soft squeeze. “Can I have a minute with Maya?”

Honor hummed in affirmation, only taking a couple of steps before she paused, and turned back to look at her. She cocked her head to the side in question. “Why are you so dressed up?”

Maya glanced down at herself, as if she’d forgotten what she was wearing. But Autumn had said cocktail, so she’d gone cocktail – complete with the sleek black dress that showed off her cleavage in a way she knew Autumn would be driven to distraction by, and heels, and expensive earrings she’d borrowed once from Ruby and had kept in her possession since then.

“Ah…” She trailed off, quirking her head to the side. “Why I’m so dressed up – is… because… of work.”

It seemed like the easiest answer.

Honor’s eyes narrowed slightly, but whatever was going on seemed to be big enough that she couldn’t focus on Maya’s weak cover story. As soon as she went to the living room, Autumn stepped back to allow her in.

Maya took the unspoken invitation in a heartbeat, carefully dragging her eyes over Autumn’s face. “What’s wrong?” She managed to tick her lips up into a gently teasing smile. “You aren’t exactly giving date-ready?”

Autumn’s hair was down over her shoulder, still damp from a shower. She was wearing a sweater and a pair of leggings, and really, she looked gorgeous. Date-ready, in Maya’s opinion, but she knew Autumn, so she knew that Autumn definitely wouldn’t consider this look date-like. Especially not when she’d said to dress in cocktail attire.

“I texted you.”

“I forgot my phone at home,” Maya explained, wincing with it. “I had it charging in the living room, but then I was worried I’d hit traffic on my way here, and I didn’t want to be late, and… by the time I realized I’d forgot it, I was already halfway here.”

And she figured – whatever. She didn’t need her phone while she was on her date with Autumn, anyway. There was nothing and no one that couldn’t wait until afterwards.

Autumn’s arms were crossed over her chest. Not in a defensive way, Maya realized, but in a way that suggested she was holding herself together.

“I got a call from Rhea, while I was getting ready.” Autumn used her folded arms to gesture at herself in explanation.

Unease filtered through Maya at the mention of the case worker’s name. Not that Rhea wasn’t a nice woman, who clearly cared deeply about what she did. But Rhea had just done an in-person check-in to catch up on how school was going, and all had gone well. So, a reappearance so soon didn’t seem… great.

“There’s officially an adjudicatory hearing scheduled for next month,” Autumn’s voice was so tight, the tension in her body seemed to radiate outwards. Maya swore she could feel it. “We’re…” She paused, rolling her lips tightly together before she finished, “We’re due at the hearing in Ohio, in five weeks.”

“Autumn,” she breathed out, the understanding at the whole situation dawning over her.

“They could get custody back of Honor and Haven,” Autumn was barely able to force out a whisper, her breathing choppy. It was clear she didn’t want the twins to hear her, but, from the vibe she’d gotten from Honor, they were already thinking and feeling the same thing. “I’m telling you, Maya, no one from the community is going to testify against them. There are no medical records of anything. It’s – I – I don’t know how to protect them from this.”

She didn’t know how to protect herself from it, either, Maya thought, her own throat tight with a sympathetic sadness.

Carefully, as if approaching a spooked animal, she moved in closer, reaching out slowly. Letting Autumn see that she was moving in for a hug with ample time for her to be able to pull back from it or let Maya know if she didn’t want the contact.

No one, including Maya, was ever going to touch Autumn without her permission again. Maya would die on that hill, literally if she must.

But Autumn didn’t freeze up or pull away. To Maya’s slight surprise, Autumn leaned heavily against her, allowing Maya to take her weight. To support her, holding her up.

Maya didn’t take it for granted. She wrapped her arms tightly around Autumn, stroking up and down her spine, before pressing a soft, lingering kiss to the side of her head.

“I’ve got you. And… I know I can’t make you any promises about how the hearing will go,” and she wouldn’t try. Not only because it was pointless; it wouldn’t assuage Autumn’s fears. But also because she wouldn’t want to promise something she couldn’t tell Autumn with one-hundred percent certainty. “But I can tell you that you have the support of one of the best lawyers in the country. You have Charlotte Thompson behind you. You have me.”

She felt Autumn’s breath hitch against her.

“I could feel you laugh there.” Very gently, she poked Autumn’s back. “And I know, compared to Jillian and Charlotte, I’m small potatoes. But if anything happens and you decide we need to go on the run, I’m in.”

Autumn inhaled long and deep against Maya’s neck, and she shivered with it. Before Autumn leaned back, standing up straight so she could look Maya in the eye.

“I wasn’t laughing. I was… I thought about how I really do know you’re in my corner. And it was nice.”

All right, if that didn’t make Maya totally melt on the spot, nothing ever would.

“Well, I am,” she promised, not breaking eye contact with her. “And – again, no one can say for sure what’s going to happen – but between your experience and the twins’, I really do believe everything is going to work out in our favor.”

She could see how shaky Autumn’s exhale was. “I hope so.” Autumn’s eyes closed, before she gently shook her head. “I’m sorry. I canceled with Hamish, and I’d tried to get in touch with you. But I can’t leave the twins tonight.”

“If this wasn’t such an emotionally fragile moment, I would be offended that you thought I still believed we were going on our date.”

Maya wasn’t offended, because she knew better. She reached out, taking one of Autumn’s hands in hers, reveling in the softness there.

“Do you mind if I stay? With the three of you? For a little while, at least.” She didn’t want to be pushy, but she didn’t want to leave, either.

“Please,” the word dropped from Autumn’s lips immediately, and she squeezed Maya’s hand back, her touch feeling… desperate. Far more than Autumn typically displayed to her – at least, prior to last weekend. “Don’t go.” With her free hand, Autumn reached up and rubbed her temples. “Then again, we might not be great company tonight. Haven had an anxiety attack and isn’t feeling particularly… chatty. Honor – I mean, you saw her. She’s shaken. Maybe you should–”

“I’m not going,” she asserted, firmly. If Autumn wanted her here, she was here. Even if Autumn started wavering on that, talking herself out of it.

Autumn nodded, relief washing over her face. She looked over her shoulder before she leaned in to press a kiss to Maya’s lips. Soft and sweet and far too fleeting, but it made Maya shiver just the same.

“Thank you,” Autumn murmured against her mouth. She stayed there, so close to Maya as though she simply needed another moment to breathe her in.

Maybe that was Maya’s own wishful thinking. Either way, she stayed pressed close for another few seconds.

Before she pulled back, gripping Maya’s hand in hers for another few seconds, before releasing her. “Let’s go? I want to check back in.”

Autumn led the way into the living room. And Maya felt her heart lurch in her chest at the sight of Haven sitting with her legs pulled up on the couch, her arms wrapped tightly around them. Honor sat right next to her, their shoulders pressed together, staring out the window with a stormy expression.

Autumn stood so close to her, seeming to inch closer.

And Maya could feel it, the tension in the room. It was like she was breathing it in. It felt claustrophobic, like the air was too heavy with emotion. The stress was cloying.

The idea hit her within seconds.  

Maya clapped her hands together, then rubbed them for a little something extra. A little good measure, garnering . “All right. How does everyone feel about getting out of here?”

Three sets of blue eyes turned in her direction.

She locked onto Autumn’s for a few seconds longer than the twins. Just to check in. But Autumn didn’t look resistant or upset. Confused, perhaps, as she murmured, “Um… I’m not sure if we’ll be up for doing anything?”

“I don’t think I am,” Haven quietly said, before letting out a sigh.

“I’m not expecting anyone to do anything. Except for get out of here and clear our heads. We’re going to get in the car, stop and get snacks – I will run in and get everything everyone wants – and go on a little adventure.” Maya offered a soft smile at the three of them. “Or, we can stay in. No pressure.”

Autumn looked to the twins. Honor had already stood back up, nodding quickly. Haven followed suit.

“Yes. Please,” Autumn’s voice was so soft, a little hoarse with emotion. Their gazes locked together for several moments, before Autumn shook her head slightly and turned to look at the twins. “Grab your shoes?”

“And whatever else you want on a car trip,” Maya added. “Anything you want; the backseat is yours. Blanket? Pillow? A book?”

Both Honor and Haven made their way into their bedroom.

Autumn turned to her again. “I’m sorry. This wasn’t what you expected tonight to be.” She dragged her eyes down Maya’s body slowly. “Obviously. I’m also sorry I didn’t comment on this, earlier, but – you look… incredible, Maya.”

“This old thing?” She breathed out a laugh, as if it would help get rid of the fluttering in her stomach from the look on Autumn’s face.

Autumn glanced at Honor and Haven’s door again, before she leaned in and kissed Maya. This time, it wasn’t soft and sweet.

It was hungry and laden with feeling and she felt Autumn’s hands streak over her sides.

It was over just as soon as it began, though, leaving Maya’s head absolutely spinning.

Her breath shuddered out of her, as she blinked hazy eyes open.

“We can’t – Honor and Haven are going to be back out.”

“I know,” she managed to rasp out. Logically, she knew that.

“But… you are so sexy. And so beautiful. And so thoughtful. And I – I don’t really have the words to tell you what this means to me. What you mean to me.”

Maya slowly nodded, her heart flip-flopping. Because she heard Autumn loud and clear.

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I guess we will (eventually) be going to Ohio!