Page 2 of Chains
“Let me help you,” Alicia said, crossing the room.
“I feel terrible leaving you with such a mess. Please let me help you at least put the food away,” Autumn said.
Regina shook her head, her hands on her hips. “I wouldn’t hear of it. Besides, my sisters are putting things away already.”
“I had a wonderful time. Thank you for throwing such a nice shower. I now have so many things to stock my kitchen.”
“You’ll have to get used to sayingourinstead ofmy.” Regina smiled.
“That’s true.” Autumn’s head still ached and she longed to just get home, throw off her heels and clothes, and veg in front of the television with a cool rag across her forehead for a couple of hours. Later that night, she and Bret had dinner reservations at one of the new restaurants in town—Spice Room. It had taken her a lot of persuading and doing favors for Bret to finally convince him to try one of her favorite cuisines—Indian.
“Don’t mean to rush you, but I really have to go.” Sadie walked over to the door and held it open.
Regina nodded. “Have a good time tonight. Bret told me you talked him into going to that new place from India. I don’t think he’ll like it, but it’s good to try something at least once.”
“I agree. Indian food is so varied that I’m sure he’ll find a dish he’ll like. Thanks again.” Autumn scooped up the bags and walked toward the door with Regina following behind her.
“Bret wants me to teach you how to make homemade tortillas. Give me a call next week and we can set something up.” Regina stood in the doorway as Autumn stepped onto the porch.
“Okay, but I’m very busy at the clinic. I worked way less hours when I had a boss.” She tipped her head toward Bret’s mother, then quickly thanked everyone again and waved goodbye as she scurried down the walkway.
“I thought we’d never get out of there.” Sadie switched on the ignition. “It was nice but too long. How many more do you have to go to?”
Autumn groaned. “Too many. One shower, maybe two, but not a slew of them. I wanted a simple wedding, and my mom and dad were on board with that too, so why is Bret insisting on all this fanfare? My parents and I are the ones paying for the wedding, so I should be getting some of whatIwant.”
“I can’t believe Bret’s this involved in the whole process. I guess that’s kind of cool, but then again, it could be a pain in the ass.”
She leaned back against the passenger seat. “It’s a total pain in the ass because he’s really not being all that helpful. Whenever we make plans to meet with various people, like the florist or the caterer, he cancels at the last minute by text. It’s so damn annoying. It seems like he enjoys theideaof being involved but that’s where it ends.”
“He does like getting the attention,” Sadie said.
“Yeah, and at six feet, piercing blue eyes, and sandy brown hair, he gets it… especially from women. It seems like every time we go somewhere in Alina, some woman he used to date or knew comes out of the woodwork.”
“Alina is a small town, and I can see how that would be real infuriating, but I guess it depends on how he handles the situations with these women.”
Autumn stared out the window at the passing trees and houses. “He absolutely loves it. It doesn’t make me jealous or anything, but Bret keeps talking about it afterwards. It’s almost like hewantsme to be jealous.”
“I can see that though. I’d be pissed if it didn’t bother Mitch that men kept flirting with me. And I wouldn’t be too happy if women kept coming over to him when we’re out together.”
Autumn shrugged slightly. “I’m just not that way.” She gripped the door handle.
“Not even when you found your ex-fiancé with your friend? What was his name?” Sadie asked.
“Dylan, and not even then. I was devastated and hurt, but not jealous. Maybe something’s wrong with me.” She opened the door.
“Or maybe you’ve never been in love.”
Autumn turned toward her friend. “I loved Dylan at that time in my life, and I love Bret.”
“Loving and being in love are totally different,” Sadie said, her gazed fixed on Autumn.
“I hear that all the time, but I don’t agree with it. Are you going to help me with these gifts that’ll just collect dust on my granite counter?”
Sadie laughed. “I can’t believe Regina gaveyou—of all people—akitchenshower. Doesn’t she know that you don’t cook?”
“Apparently not. Bret keeps trying to turn me into the happy homemaker as far as his stomach is concerned.” Autumn caught Sadie’s eyes, then the two women busted out laughing. “Yeah…that’snot gonna happen.”
Sadie slid out of the car and filled her arms with several boxes. “Where do you want me to put these?” she asked as she walked toward Autumn’s house.
