Read Online Autumn and Summer by Danielle Allen - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Danielle Allen
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Summer put the chopped veggies in the bowl. Turning to me, she said, “I actually can’t tell you.”
“ Why? Is it top secret?” Pouring the bowl of veggies into the pan, I began sautéing them. I glanced over at her and she was standing with her arms crossed, smiling at me. “What?”
“I can’t tell you because he just so happens to be your date tomorrow night!”
Before I could respond, the doorbell rang loudly. “I’ll get it!” Summer said as she ran out of the room.
Moments later, the house sounded full as the trifecta of Summer, Olivia and Tatiana’s v oices bounced off of the walls. For the next three hours, we ate and drank wine as we discussed work, men, and life in general. Being the quietest of the four of us, it was easy to slip into my own little world. Although the conversation was interesting, I couldn’t stop my mind from wandering.
“Earth to Autumn,” Olivia said , waving her hand in front of my face from across the table.
“I’m listening,” I coughed . I picked up my wine glass and took a big gulp. Looking at their skeptical faces, I could tell they didn’t believe me. “I mean, I’m not doing a good job at it, but I am listening.”
“ Aw, what’s on your mind, Autumn?” Tatiana asked, her hazel eyes full of concern.
Love , I thought. True love. That heart stopping, life altering kind of love. The kind of love that I’ve only dreamed of.
“ Dating,” I answered, side-stepping the truth. “Finding Mr. Right.”
“ You are such a romantic,” Summer replied, patting my hand before picking up her wine glass. “And I love that about you.”
“You ’re a romantic too. Just in a different way,” Olivia countered.
Summer poured herself another glass of wine before responding, “That’s sweet, Livie. But I’m a realist. I don’t believe in the fairytale. I don’t believe in the happily ever after. I don’t believe in—”
“ Don’t say you don’t believe in love,” Tatiana interrupted, grabbing the bottle of wine and pouring more into her glass.
I sipped my wine slowly and watched Summer’s face. Her gorgeous features tensed slightly before she deflected the conversation away from herself. “Let’s toast. To good food, great friends, and better sex. Oh, and for Autumn and I to have awesome dates tomorrow night!”
Olivia and Tatiana both started talking at once. In our conversation over dinner about men and dating, it hadn’t come up that Summer and I were going on our first of ten first dates Sunday night. They were intrigued by the whole idea of relinquishing control over one’s dating life. And the more excited they became, the more excited I became about my upcoming date. Even though I was a nervous wreck about a date with a model, I was excited to be doing something new and different.
I have nothing to be worried about, I assured myself as we cleaned off the dining room table.
Once the dishes were washed and the food was put away , we walked the girls outside to say our goodbyes. Because it was getting late, Summer and I headed upstairs.
“Are you okay?” Summer asked once we reached the upstairs landing.
“I’m okay,” I gave her a tight smile.
“Okay,” she said, dragging the word out slowly and looking at me skeptically. “Goodnight.”
“Goodnight!” I headed into my room.
As soon as I crossed the threshold of my room, I froze and allowed my mind to drift to my date tomorrow night.
Who am I going out with? What am I going to be doing? What am I going to wear? I wondered as I stared at my closed closet door. Should I go sexy? What if I go sexy and he wants to do something active? But if I go too casual, he may have planned a nice dinner. Why did I agree to do this?
Taking a few tentative steps to the middle of my bedroom , I sighed. “How did I let you talk me into this?” I wondered aloud.
“Because you know it’s a good idea ,” Summer said from behind me, causing me to jump.
Gasp ing, I said, “You have got
“ Why? Is it top secret?” Pouring the bowl of veggies into the pan, I began sautéing them. I glanced over at her and she was standing with her arms crossed, smiling at me. “What?”
“I can’t tell you because he just so happens to be your date tomorrow night!”
Before I could respond, the doorbell rang loudly. “I’ll get it!” Summer said as she ran out of the room.
Moments later, the house sounded full as the trifecta of Summer, Olivia and Tatiana’s v oices bounced off of the walls. For the next three hours, we ate and drank wine as we discussed work, men, and life in general. Being the quietest of the four of us, it was easy to slip into my own little world. Although the conversation was interesting, I couldn’t stop my mind from wandering.
“Earth to Autumn,” Olivia said , waving her hand in front of my face from across the table.
“I’m listening,” I coughed . I picked up my wine glass and took a big gulp. Looking at their skeptical faces, I could tell they didn’t believe me. “I mean, I’m not doing a good job at it, but I am listening.”
“ Aw, what’s on your mind, Autumn?” Tatiana asked, her hazel eyes full of concern.
Love , I thought. True love. That heart stopping, life altering kind of love. The kind of love that I’ve only dreamed of.
“ Dating,” I answered, side-stepping the truth. “Finding Mr. Right.”
“ You are such a romantic,” Summer replied, patting my hand before picking up her wine glass. “And I love that about you.”
“You ’re a romantic too. Just in a different way,” Olivia countered.
Summer poured herself another glass of wine before responding, “That’s sweet, Livie. But I’m a realist. I don’t believe in the fairytale. I don’t believe in the happily ever after. I don’t believe in—”
“ Don’t say you don’t believe in love,” Tatiana interrupted, grabbing the bottle of wine and pouring more into her glass.
I sipped my wine slowly and watched Summer’s face. Her gorgeous features tensed slightly before she deflected the conversation away from herself. “Let’s toast. To good food, great friends, and better sex. Oh, and for Autumn and I to have awesome dates tomorrow night!”
Olivia and Tatiana both started talking at once. In our conversation over dinner about men and dating, it hadn’t come up that Summer and I were going on our first of ten first dates Sunday night. They were intrigued by the whole idea of relinquishing control over one’s dating life. And the more excited they became, the more excited I became about my upcoming date. Even though I was a nervous wreck about a date with a model, I was excited to be doing something new and different.
I have nothing to be worried about, I assured myself as we cleaned off the dining room table.
Once the dishes were washed and the food was put away , we walked the girls outside to say our goodbyes. Because it was getting late, Summer and I headed upstairs.
“Are you okay?” Summer asked once we reached the upstairs landing.
“I’m okay,” I gave her a tight smile.
“Okay,” she said, dragging the word out slowly and looking at me skeptically. “Goodnight.”
“Goodnight!” I headed into my room.
As soon as I crossed the threshold of my room, I froze and allowed my mind to drift to my date tomorrow night.
Who am I going out with? What am I going to be doing? What am I going to wear? I wondered as I stared at my closed closet door. Should I go sexy? What if I go sexy and he wants to do something active? But if I go too casual, he may have planned a nice dinner. Why did I agree to do this?
Taking a few tentative steps to the middle of my bedroom , I sighed. “How did I let you talk me into this?” I wondered aloud.
“Because you know it’s a good idea ,” Summer said from behind me, causing me to jump.
Gasp ing, I said, “You have got
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