Read Autumn Getaway (Seasons of Love) for Free Online Page B

company, enjoyed talking with her. He thought she might be enjoying him too. But if she was so newly divorced that the ink on the papers wasn’t even dry yet… who knew where her head was? He had initially picked up on the somber expression she wore, and now had some answers. That could be the tricky part.
    But he realized that his interest was truly sparked. There was just… something there for him. He couldn’t explain it, but he felt it.
    He took a long sip from his water bottle, glanced over at her, and decided he didn’t have to label it; he just had to see where things went organically over the course of the weekend, and take it from there.
    * * *
    Lydia checked her appearance in the mirror. She had decided on her black V-neck cashmere sweater, flowy black pants, and black leather boots. It was simple, dressy enough but not overly so, and she was comfortable in it. Done deal.
    She applied a coat of sheer gloss over her lips, fixed her hair once more, and sighed. This is as good as it’s going to get , she decided. Then it occurred to her that without Donna and Kathryn there, she didn’t know anyone who would be at the dinner other than Melanie, Ryan, and Mel’s parents—so what did she care what anyone thought anyway? Unless Sam would be there, which was possible… Still doesn’t matter. I look fine. With that final determination, she grabbed her small black bag and left her hotel room.
    She made her way downstairs slowly, not in a rush to make small talk all night with strangers. What should she discuss first? Her brand new divorce? Her speech impaired toddler? The fact that she felt numb most of the time, like she was blindly going through the motions of her day-to-day life? Yeah, that would make a fabulous conversation starter. Hell of an icebreaker.
    She had already surprised herself with the details of her life she’d revealed to Sam in the garden earlier that day. What a time to get a case of diarrhea of the mouth, when she met a charming and good-looking guy, one who even seemed to have a brain in his head… whatever. She was who she was. Her life was what it was. She didn’t have the energy to cover up, or to pretend. Lately, it took all her energy just to get through a day intact. Except for when she had to deal with Matt, which always got her adrenaline up. Her overall energy and tolerance for mind games, drama, or any of that crap had gone out the window… sailed permanently into her past, along with so many other things.
    She reminded herself for the umpteenth time: this weekend was for celebration. Melanie was, secretly, something of an inspiration to her these days. Mel had found someone truly decent, after being with someone far from decent. She’d given love a second chance. She’d given trust a second chance. It was a time to rejoice, to celebrate optimism, happiness, marriage, and the future. So, for this weekend, Lydia was determined to put on her best face, for her friend’s sake, and raise a glass or two with a smile.
    Lydia went to the main dining room, thinking the dinner would be there, but was directed to a smaller room next door. It was dimly lit and decorated with strings of tiny sparkling lights, fat white candles, and floating tea lights in glass bowls. From the small bar in the corner of the room, Frank Sinatra crooned from an iPod set up on the wooden counter. There were two long tables set up for dinner, with about twenty place settings at each one. Ivory linens, vases with white roses, and more candles covered the tables. There were roughly twenty-five people already in the room, milling about, laughing, and talking. Lydia made her way to the bar, but a pair of warm hands grasped her arm to turn her around.
    “There you are!” Melanie beamed and hugged her tightly.
    Lydia couldn’t help but laugh at the bride’s exuberance. She pulled back to look at her friend. Melanie was radiant in a simple, strapless dress of sky blue, almost the same shade of her eyes. Her