“Please, leave.”

Autumn glanced at the blonde waiter standing in front of her table.

“Excuse me?”

Autumn raised a brow at the waiter.

The waiter gave her a tight-lipped smile. “I’m sorry, Miss, but the manager is demanding that you leave.”

Autumn frowned then looked at his name tag. “Luke, go and tell your manager that I ain't going nowhere.”

The waiter wiggled his hands, his young faced a mask of confusion.

“But Miss, I can't tell him that. He’ll get pissed and…”

“Same way you can't come to my table and ask me to leave!” Autumn snapped, interrupting him sharply.

She wasn't concerned with the waiter’s face looking all squeezed up, sad, and teary. Someone should have given him a pep talk about this job so he would know what to expect.

“I’m sorry, Miss. You know this table is for special guests and you reserved it for an hour but you've spent two hours here and other customers want to reserve this table too,” the waiter explained.

Autumn sighed.

She has been in this restaurant for two hours now waiting for her boyfriend. This was their special restaurant for their date but her boyfriend wasn’t available yet.

She had reserved the best seat which overlooked the windows for their date but now he wasn't here and the time reservation had expired.

Shawn better has a good reason for being late,she mused.

“Fine. I'll pay for extra hours,” Autumn snapped.

The waiter raised a brow at her. “Isn’t that a waste of money? It's obvious the person isn't gonna come.”

Autumn’s eyes drilled holes into the guy’s head. “Are you a waiter or a relationship coach, Blondie?”

The guy smiled shyly. “I'm a part-time psychology student, I'm training to be a coach.”

“Well, don't!” Autumn snapped, “You should learn to mind your damn business.”

“But I'm trying to give advice…”

“Zip it, Blondie. Nobody wants to know.”

The waiter did a little breathing exercise and then smiled again.

“I'll get your bill tab, Miss,” and then he walked away.

Autumn sighed. She hadn't meant to be mean but she got mean and cranky when she was on edge and when she was worried.

She was worried that Shawn hadn't shown up yet and this waiter was trying to give her relationship advice? She didn't mind paying for seven hours when Shawn arrived; she knew he would give her the money she spent.

She just needed him to come!

She picked up her phone and texted Shawn.

Where are you?!

He replied to her text immediately.

Sorry, love. Tied up at work, I'll be there soon.

She smiled.?She knew it was work, his boss was always overworking him.

Her phone beeped again. It was her best friend, Aria. She answered the call to know what was up with her.

“Hi Autumn, ” Aria said with worry in her tone. “What’s up?”

“I’m good. You seem to be in a crowded space. Are you on the road or something?”

“Nope. I'm at someone's housewarming party.”

Typical Aria; it was almost impossible for her to stay a day without partying.

“So, what are you up to?” Aria probed. “I thought about how you must be feeling. So, I thought to check up on you.”

“Thank you. I'm just at a restaurant waiting for Shawn. We're supposed to meet up today.”

“That’s surprising”

“How?”

“I thought you might prefer to be alone at this point.”

What did Aria mean by that?

“I’ve been waiting for him for two hours now. I wonder what's taking him so long.”

“You seem to be okay. Did he give you a specific time for it?”

“He did and that time has passed by two hours.”

“I see. Have you tried calling or texting him?”

“I have, he says he's tied up at the office and that he'll be here soon. The waiter has even asked that I pay for extra hours.”

“Oh no. Are you thinking of leaving?”

“Not yet.”

She would wait for Shawn until he showed up. She relaxed a bit. She deeply desired to see him and be around him. Staying away from him for long was hard for her.

“I think it’s healthy that you're not attacking the situation with vile and anger.”

“You mean I'm waiting for him?”

The waiter brought the bill.

“Here’s what you're going to pay, Miss.”

Autumn looked at the bill.

“Let me call you back, Aria.” She ended the call.

“I’m sorry for setting you off earlier,” the waiter said. “I was just trying to help.”

She didn’t need it. Her relationship with Shawn was going just fine. She opened her purse. She didn’t need a waiter to school her on relationships.

“Here Blondie,” she said and handed her credit card to him.

“I’m guessing you're still pissed off at me?” He studied her demeanor.

“No. I just don’t like people sticking their nose in my business.”

“My bad. Anyway, I do hope that the person you’re waiting for eventually shows up,” he said.

“I'm pretty sure he will.” She picked up her cell phone to call Aria back. The waiter left.

“Is he there yet?” Aria said.

Autumn sighed, wishing Shawn would just appear and end her wait.

“He still hasn’t come, ” she responded. “You were saying something about attacking my situation?”

“Yes. I mean, I didn’t know you'd still want to be cool with Shawn after the whole thing.”

“What thing are you talking about?”

Aria paused.

“So you're comfortable with Shawn's choice?”

Choice? What in the world was Aria talking about?

“I know you’re strong and all Autumn. But I didn’t see you remaining friends with him after it.”

Autumn shook her head in disbelief. Aria had probably gotten drunk over there and was now blabbing nonsense.

“Look Aria, Shawn will always be in my life.”

“I’m shocked.”

“No, I think you’re drunk

Aria laughed.

“You’re the one sounding like you’re high on letting Shawn go.”

Autumn was confused. Aria's statements seemed illogical. Why would she ever let Shawn go? He was the love of her life. He was her soulmate.

“You must be tipsy Aria. Shawn and I are fine. I have no problem with him.”

She couldn’t wait for him to come. She needed to see him.

“So, what you’re saying is that you're okay with his engagement to the Mayor's daughter?”

Autumn was stunned.

“What engagement are you talking about?”

“You didn't know?”

“What engagement are you referring to?”

“I thought you knew.”

“I don’t understand.” Autumn was becoming scared.

“I think you should hear it from Shawn.”

Autumn swallowed hard.

“Are you saying that Shawn is getting married to the Mayor’s daughter?”

Aria went silent.

“Aria?”

“Yes. That’s what I'm saying, Autumn. He’s engaged to her.”

“That can’t be.”

“It is. In fact, it’s all over the news.”

Autumn tried to catch her breath. This couldn’t be true. Shawn would never do this to her.

“No, it can’t be Shawn. There has to be a mistake somewhere.”

“It’s him. You can ask him yourself.”

Autumn’s heart sank. Why would Shawn betray her like this?

“Why would he all of a sudden abandon me for someone else?” Autumn asked, tears forming in her eyes.

“I'm so sorry Autumn. I thought you had heard about it already.”

Autumn sobbed some more. But why? Had Shawn lied when he'd sworn never to break her heart or love another?