Chapter 3: Museum Mix-Ups and Broken Hearts

We hadn’t even entered the museum yet when Lucas Bradley and I ran into Carter and his buddy Mike at the entrance.

Mike grinned, flashing his big teeth. “Wow, what a coincidence! You guys here too?”

Yeah, right. I just told someone about it last night.

I glanced at Carter, who looked totally innocent. Was he really forgetful, or just pretending?

Inside the museum, even though we split up, we kept running into Carter and his group.

Eventually, we just toured together.

Carter still looked reluctant, but Mike was a chatterbox and kept things lively, so we all got along.

We wandered into the botanical garden, where there was a fountain. I handed my Polaroid to Lucas Bradley, asking him to take pictures of me.

He smiled and agreed.

I ran over and posed. After each shot, he complimented me, which made me relax. We even took a bunch with the big, round cacti.

Lucas Bradley was so gentle and patient. He was really wonderful. I could cry.

No wonder I liked him so much.

Eventually, I wanted a picture with him, but Carter suddenly butted in and insisted on joining.

Seriously? He squeezed in between me and Lucas Bradley.

I glared at him, but he just grinned and teased, “Autumn, why aren’t you smiling? You were grinning a minute ago. What, you stop smiling when I show up?”

He really knew how to push my buttons.

When the picture came out, he was smiling down at me while I glared up at him.

I grumbled, “This one’s ugly. Why’d you even print it?”

Carter snatched the photo. “It’s not ugly. If you don’t want it, I’ll keep it.”

“No!”

I chased him, trying to get the picture back, but he just held it out of reach.

Ugh, so annoying! In my frustration, I stomped on his foot.

Carter yelped, “You really don’t hold back, do you?”

“You deserved it.”

Mike finally said, “Guys, can you stop flirting in public? Spare us single folks, okay?”

Hearing that, I instinctively looked at Lucas Bradley, worried he’d get the wrong idea. But he just seemed lost in thought.

When it was time to leave, Lucas Bradley asked to talk to me alone.

“Autumn, thanks for coming today. I had a great time.”

I was thrilled to hear that, but his next words threw me off. “You really remind me of her. Both of you are wonderful.”

“Huh? Who?”

Lucas Bradley looked into the distance, his eyes shining. “My first love. If she were still here, she’d probably be just as lively and cheerful as you.”

He meant the girl he liked?

I asked carefully, “So… where is she now?”

He pointed at the sky. “Maybe up there, or maybe right beside me.”

The night was beautiful, but I couldn’t put it into words.

I just remembered my chest tightening with a dull ache. Looking at his gentle profile, I opened my mouth but couldn’t find anything comforting to say.

I’d been rejected.

Utterly, completely.

I hadn’t even gotten to the point of dating.

I wished I didn’t look so much like that girl. But that’s how it was.

And Lucas Bradley still loved her.

Really, truly loved her—you could see it in his eyes and actions.

Well, he was the guy I liked, after all.

No wonder he was so devoted.

But at least he told me directly, and I didn’t end up being a stand-in in his life.

I’m just me.

So, I decided not to get any closer.