Autumn and Summer Read Free

off, he pushed for us to solidify our relationship. I was very upfront about not believing in love, relationships, and happily ever afters. He was the one that wasn’t okay with us hooking up randomly. He wanted a commitment. I didn’t even want to be in a relationship! I wanted to learn from the world-renowned Josh Jones and once I saw his talent up close and personal, I wanted to have sex with him. But that’s it.  I wanted sex and experience to put on my resume. Period. I didn’t want a serious commitment. But he pushed for it. And then he cheated! Ugh!”
    “That’s what I don’t understand. If he wasn’t ready for a relationship, why did he try so hard to nail you down into one?” I wondered as the door to the restroom opened. I smiled politely as three women entered loudly.
    “Because he’s an ass hole,” she responded without missing a beat.
    “And because you’re a challenge and you didn’t fall over yourself when you were around him,” I said, answering my own question. “And because he knows you’re special and he didn’t want to risk you being free for someone else to realize how special you are. And he knows how talented you are and he knew he’d have a better chance at keeping you at his studio if he was sexing you up regularly.”
    One of the women looked over at me with raised eyebrows , so I pushed off of the sink and left the restroom, where the sounds of the restaurant quickly enveloped me. I was fired up and continued from the hallway, “You’re loyal and while you were involved with him, you weren’t going to go to another studio. Or better yet, strike out on your own. You are a better photographer than he is. You listen to people and get them to talk and then bring out whatever their truth is. You’re not just better than him, you are a brilliant photographer! And while he’s skating by due to his name and former modeling career, you are building a career off of your talent. And let’s be honest, you only wanted him for what he could teach you about photography and his connections. So you finding Josh and Amber was truly a blessing in disguise…you weren’t really into the relationship and you weren’t happy playing second fiddle at his studio. And now, you’re free. He was dumb, but even he knew that your loyalty would keep you employed with him as long as you two were in a relationship.”
    A short , dry laugh burst out of her. “He was dumb, wasn’t he?”
    “ Totally. But he was pretty,” I admitted with a nod she couldn’t see.
    “He was so pretty and yet, so dumb,” Summer agreed loudly. “You always make everything better. For that reason alone, I’ve already forgiven the fact that you share the same last name as my now arch-nemesis.”
    I laughed, “Jones is a common last name. You can’t fault me for that!”
    “No, but seriously… thank you for being the best best friend in the world. You simultaneously made me feel better about my breakup and my lack of employment in less than fifteen minutes. You are wise beyond your years, my friend.”
    After a brief pause, she continued, “Um, I’m hearing strange music. I take it you are not at home?”
    Peek ing around the corner, I spotted Robert sipping his wine and scrolling through his phone. Although he was quite handsome, he was so dull. “No, I’m at this Italian restaurant with Robert,” I sighed.
    “ Oh no! I hope I didn’t interrupt your date with Robert Drowsy Jr,” Summer deadpanned.
    Laughing loudly, I caused a few tables nearby to look over and take notice of me. Ducking my head back around the corner so I couldn’t be seen anymore, I snickered into the phone. “You are ridiculous.”
    “No Autumn, you are ridiculous,” she countered teasingly. “Are you having fun? I’m guessing not because you picked up the phone and talked to me for the last fifteen minutes.”
    “It’s not that he’s a bad guy. At all. He’ s just dull. Even when he’s excited, he’s still really boring about