Chapter 54

Autumn hosts a crowded, warm house party, drinking white wine from a blue mug and observing friends in costume. Jamie holds court on the coffee table, charming the crowd—including Sylvie—before crossing to Autumn. They agree to meet upstairs discreetly so others won’t follow, and Jamie goes ahead while Autumn plans to bring drinks.

Autumn pauses to chat with Angie and Preppy Dave, who reveal they plan to marry in December and will soon tell their parents. As Autumn turns to leave, she bumps into Finny, spilling his drink on his shirt. Sylvie fusses over Finny, and Autumn ushers them to the kitchen for a towel and offers him a drink from their private stash.

In the kitchen, Brooke and Noah fumble with a makeshift shaker. Autumn equips Finny with a towel, Brooke and Noah mix him a rum drink, and Autumn refills her mug and an extra cup of wine to take upstairs. The three return toward the living room; the hall is clear, and Autumn ducks under the rope blocking the stairs.

At the bottom of the stairs, Finny—his drink untouched—stops Autumn to remind her of her promise: not to do this while she’s drunk. Facing him, Autumn acknowledges the boundary and decides not to go through with her plan with Jamie. As Sylvie calls for Finny from the next room, he turns away, and Autumn stands down from the encounter.