Page 52 of Flirty Fall Fling

That’s when a beautiful woman walks up to him.

She’s pretty in an effortless way, with a dark ponytail, tight jeans, and a white puffer vest. The woman looks like she came straight out of a hot apple cider ad. She moves close to him and laughs as she points up. Jamie, with his height, reaches into the branches and brings down the apple she couldn’t reach. Her hand rests on his forearm. My heart pounds in my ears as heat crawls up the back of my neck.

What the fuck is wrong with me?

It’s a fling. We’ve hooked up once. That’s all this is. It’s all it ever can be. But still, I watch from the corner of my eye. He smiles at her and hands her another apple. Their fingers brush together. Maybe she’s the one, his true love. That thought snaps me out of my jealousy. The grounds were very clear that Jamie would find the love of his life. I have to allow him to find the person he’s supposed to be with.

The apple in my hand has a bruise from me pressing my thumb into it.

This feeling is one I haven’t experienced in a long time. People have come to me for teas to remedy this. There isn’t a cure for jealousy.

He steps away from her, creating a foot of space between them, even if he’s smiling. The woman doesn’t get the hint. I overhear her ask for his number, and that’s when I stroll away, pretending to be unbothered.

“You okay?” Josie asks when I catch up to her.

“Perfect. I think I picked some delicious apples.”

She grins. “Me too.”

“Come on. Let’s pay, then get out of here.”

A few teenagers, who’d rather be anywhere else than here, help check people out. By the registers are tons of goodies that are going home with me, like local honey, cider by the gallon, and pyramid stacks of preserves. I grab one of everything.

Once the apples are weighed, I’m given the total.

“Eighty-eight dollars and eighty-eight cents,” the guy says.

I pull my card from my pocket as Jamie materializes and hands over a hundred-dollar bill.

“I’ve got it,” he interrupts.

“No, no. Not necessary.” I shove my card toward the kid, but he already has the bill in the drawer and is making change.

“Keep it,” he tells the guy, then turns to me. “Hope you have a great day.”

I stand there speechless.

“Thank you!” Josie says beside me, grabbing our sacks of goods.

He’s smug as he walks away, laughing.

When he’s out of earshot, Josie grabs my arm.

“He just paid for our entire haul,” she whisper-screams. “Had I known that, I’d have gotten one of everything!”

I roll my eyes and hold back my smile. “He shouldn’t have done that.”

“You know, my grandma always says to say thank you and accept your blessings.” She carries both bags, and I take one from her because they’re heavy. “I would ask for his number so fast.”

“Unlock the car, matchmaker.”

The receipt says $88.88, and the repeating numbers are a sign from the universe.

The eights? Abundance. Infinite possibilities. Spiritual alignment. Or it could mean love is on the way.

I shiver, fold the receipt in half, and shove it into my pocket. I climb inside the car and buckle. Josie talks the entire drive back about the doughnuts, the hayride, and about how she understands why people love experiencing the season in Colorado. It’s humbling to experience it through her eyes. I grew up here, so it sometimes makes me jaded to just how wonderful this place is. It’s home, and I don’t think I’ll ever leave.

The aspens are showing off this morning, and I find myself smiling even though it’s been a weird morning.