A slender arm at the front shot up. “What about the restaurant?” Carla Delmonico asked. “I don’t think it’s fair that we have to compete with free refreshments. We’ll lose money.”
“The refreshments are drinks, cakes, and ice cream,” Autumn told her. “I don’t anticipate any competition between those and the restaurant. If anything, the extra influx of people will give you more customers. It should be a win-win for all of us.”
“Delmonico’s is exclusive,” Carla muttered. “Maybe we don’t want those kind of customers.”
Autumn ignored her, painting a smile on her face. “Any other questions?”
A woman on the far side of the room stood. “Is it true you’re going to host weddings on the pier in the future?”
Autumn blinked. Word sure got around fast. She hadn’t even talked to the Delmonico’s about her wedding plans yet. “I’m looking into all options for increasing income from the pier. Running events is one of them.”
“I heard you spoke to the permit department. I know someone who works there,” the woman added.
“You’re going to do this sort of thing regularly?” Carla asked, her brows pinching together. “When were you going to tell us about it?”
“I’ll be talking through all the options with the tenants on the pier as soon as I have a plan,” Autumn said, trying to keep her voice patient. “But right now the charity event is my main concern. And I can guarantee it won’t adversely affect your business.”
Another hand shot up, this time at the back. She couldn’t see who it was. “Um, yes, the person at the back?”
Griff stood, his lips curling into a smile as his eyes met hers. “As a tenant of the pier, I just wanted to say how refreshing it is to see the owner so involved in the community. Myself and my crew will be at your disposal to help with the event.” He leaned on the back wall. “We love a party.”
Carla rolled her eyes.
“Well that’s wonderful. It’s good to see some community spirit,” Frank Megassey said, walking across the stage to join Autumn. “And thank you very much for all your work on the charity event, Autumn. I for one am very much looking forward to it.” He gave a little laugh when he saw Carla’s scowl. “And of course I’ll be eating at Delmonico’s afterward. Now, let’s bring this meeting to an end. Please go help yourselves to coffee and baked goods in the corner, and if you have any questions about the pier, come and talk to Autumn or me.”
There was a scraping of chairs as people stood, then a murmur of conversation that increased as friends greeted each other. Autumn felt a hand on her back, and turned to see Ally grinning at her. “Here, take this,” she said, passing her a plate of chocolate cake. “You look like you need it. I’d have brought wine, but Frank would have had a fit.”
Autumn grinned at her. “I’ve had worse responses. Try telling a whole building of bankers that their executive bathrooms will be out of operation for a week. Until then, I’d never seen a man in an Armani suit cry.”
From the corner of her eye, she could see Carla talking furiously to Griff. “I think I might have caused some problems there.”
Ally followed her gaze. “Carla always has a problem with Griff.” Her voice dropped. “Has she said anything to you about him?”
“She told me to steer clear and that he’s a womanizer.” Autumn shrugged.
“I guess she hasn’t found out about you guys then?”
Autumn blinked. “What about us?”
Ally’s smile melted from her mouth. “Oh shit. I just assumed you two had a thing going on. I saw you at the beach the other day. You looked way too close to only be friends or workmates, or whatever you are.”
“We are just friends,” Autumn told her.
“It’s really not my business. I’m sorry for mentioning it.”
“With a few fringe benefits.” Autumn winked and Ally laughed, relief washing over her face.
“Still none of my business, but for what it’s worth, Griff is a good guy. Ignore what Carla has to say about him.”
“He is. But it’s nothing serious. Carla can think what she likes.”
“Does that mean you’ll come out with us for his birthday?” Ally asked, her shoulders relaxing.
“When is it?” Autumn asked. Griff hadn’t mentioned it to her. They’d been way too busy to talk dates of birth.
“On Saturday. Lucas and the guys are trying to persuade him to go to a club in White City. He was kind of reluctant. I guess now I know why.”
“But it’s his birthday!” Autumn said. “He has to celebrate. Let me make a plan.”
Ally nodded happily. “Sure.”
“What’s the name of the club in White City?” she asked. “I’ll call them. Make some arrangements.”
“I guess that’s one of the fringe benefits you were talking about,” Ally said, still grinning. “Sex and birthday parties. Griff’s a lucky guy.”
16
“So what’s this all about?” Griff asked, as they climbed out of the black limo that had driven them to White City. It was almost nine at night, and a soft breeze tickled at Autumn’s bare shoulders and played with her hair, even though the air still held a hint of the daytime warmth.
She looked up at him with a smile. He was wearing a dark blue shirt, unbuttoned at the neck, and charcoal pants that skimmed his hips and clung to his muscled thighs, making her mouth water.
“You’ve been hiding things from me,” she told him, raising an eyebrow.
“No I haven’t.” He grinned and shook his head. “I told you I’m an open book.”
She tipped her head to the side, and raised an eyebrow. “So why didn’t you tell me it was your birthday?”
Realization washed over his face. “I don’t celebrate my birthday.”
“That’s what Ally and Ember told me. But tonight you do.” She slid her arm into his. “Come on. Let’s go inside.”
The hostess led them to a booth in the VIP area, and Griff’s face lit up when he saw all his friends waiting for him. Ember and Lucas were talking with Ally and Nate, while Brooke and Caitie were laughing as Aiden and Breck talked about the Silver Sands Resort, where Autumn had stayed when she first arrived in town. Next to them, Harper and James were looking at her phone, grinning at a photograph of their little girl the babysitter had sent them.
“I don’t know whether to kiss you or kill you,” Griff murmured to Autumn as everybody turned to look at him. The next minute he was surrounded by all his friends, their loud voices wishing him a happy birthday as they assaulted him with hugs.
A waiter carried over a tray full of champagne, along with bottles of beer for those who didn’t enjoy the sparkling wine. Griff’s eyes met hers as he clinked his bottle against Lucas’s, and the warmth in his eyes took her breath away.
“Okay, we need to dance,” Ember said, grabbing Autumn’s hand and inclining her head at the dance floor. She called the other girls over, and they agreed excitedly.
“What about Griff and the guys?” Autumn asked.