For a moment, Autumn hesitated. Then she drew in a slow breath.
“Maybe,” she said quietly, “it’s better if you know.”
Autumn lowered her gaze before she began.
“We were in high school. Paxton was the captain of the basketball team—the hottest guy in school.” A bitter smile curved her lips. “Laila and I were friends back then. Or at least… I thought we were.”
She drew in a shaky breath.
“One day, Paxton asked me out. We went on a date. Then another. We kept seeing each other for a few months.” Her fingers curled in her lap. “And that’s when Laila told me I should ask him to officially be my boyfriend.”
Autumn let out a hollow laugh.
“God, I was so stupid. I thought he liked me but was just too shy to say it out loud. I thought I was helping us by taking the first step.” Her voice cra
