The first Paxton’s Pier charity day opened at one p.m. sharp, with Frank Megassey making a speech on behalf of the Angel Sands Animal Shelter, followed by Autumn welcoming everybody and telling them how excited she was to be there.
Griff hung back with his friends, but his eyes didn’t leave her face once as she spoke. “This pier isn’t just about the ironworks or the wooden slats,” she said, leaning toward the mic so everybody could hear her. “It’s about Angel Sands’ history. Our community. And more than anything, it’s about the future. I can’t wait to welcome you back here again and again, so you can explore all the wonderful things the pier has to offer. And now, without further ado, please come in and enjoy the day. And don’t forget to spend lots of money. It’s all for a wonderful cause.”
“She’s good,” Jackson said, leaning against the rail with a beer in his hand. Along with Lucas and Breck, he’d been helping Griff set up the stage and the audio system. “You’re batting way above your average there, my friend.”
“Don’t I know it,” Griff murmured.
“Yeah, we all end up there eventually,” Lucas said, flashing his friend a smile. “It keeps us on our toes, knowing we’re the lucky ones. Makes us treat them like the goddesses they are.”
“If you say so.” Jackson took another mouthful of beer. “But I’m thinking that Griff needs to watch out. She’s not just gorgeous, but she’s rich enough to buy this pier. And you only have to look around to see what a great business woman she is. Did you hear that old man Delmonico has agreed to donate a percentage of his profits to charity today? That’s unheard of.”
“I think I hear a little jealousy in there,” Breck joined in, giving Jackson a grin. “Didn’t you have your eye on her when she first arrived in town?”
“Yeah, but I backed down when Griff made it clear he was interested. Even if it took him forever to admit it.”
“So what’s the plan?” Lucas asked. “Is she going to stay in town? When she first arrived, she was talking about hiring a manager once she’d made all the changes she wanted.”
“I don’t know,” Griff admitted.
“What do you mean you don’t know?” Jackson frowned. “Have you not talked about it? You guys are serious, right? Every time I see you, you’re either with her or going to meet her. This is more than the fling you talked about.”
Griff watched as Frank cut the ribbon at the end of the pier, and the crowd surged forward. The four of them stood back against the rail to let the excited children and their parents push past, their backs pressed against the iron until they got a little space again.
“We’re serious,” Griff said. “But we haven’t ironed out all the details yet.”
“Wait. You’re not going to New York with her, are you?” Jackson asked, frowning.
“We haven’t talked about that either.” He could see Autumn talking to Frank, Lydia standing next to her. Lydia turned around and spotted Griff, and waved madly at him, her face bright.
“Who’s that?” Jackson asked.
“Autumn’s sister.” He glanced at his friend from the corner of his eye. “And before you ask, the answer’s no.”
Lucas laughed at Jackson’s outraged expression.
“I didn’t say anything,” he protested.
“But you thought it.” Griff looked at him through narrowed eyes. “And if I’m batting above my average with Autumn, her sister is out of your stratosphere. So no, I’m not introducing you or putting in a good word for you, or doing anything that might encourage whatever crazy notions are going through your head.”
“I only asked who she was.” Jackson shook his head. “Man, you’re protective for a guy who doesn’t even know what his future plans with his girlfriend are.”
“It’s your future plans I’m worried about.” The thought of Jackson anywhere near Lydia made Griff shiver. Not because Lydia couldn’t handle herself, because god knew she’d probably eat Jackson for breakfast. No, it was something else. Something that made him question his own thoughts.
Jackson was a player, and he didn’t want him near Autumn’s sister.
Wasn’t that something, coming from the guy who never wanted strings attached? The man who didn’t mean to break hearts, but did it anyway – you only had to ask Carla Delmonico if you wanted to know more.
Yet here he was, worried about Lydia, because hurting her would mean hurting Autumn. And the thought of causing her any pain made his hands curl into fists.
His jaw ticked as he remembered the way she’d looked this morning, her breath tight, her body supple, as he’d pressed himself into her. Every time they made love, he felt like he was falling a little deeper. It was scary as hell, yet exhilarating.
He’d never felt anything like it. Some of that was because he’d been too afraid to open himself up. But the majority of it was because of her. She touched him in places he’d never let anybody see before, not since they’d been so badly bruised by his parents.
And now here he was, protecting her sister from a guy just like him. It was ironic.
“Come on, let’s go join the girls and enjoy the day,” Lucas said, inclining his head toward the stage, where Ember, Arthur, and all their friends were watching the band set up. “And Griff’s right. Leave Autumn’s sister alone, Jack. She’s completely out of your league.”
An hour later and the charity day was in full swing. Music from the band mingled with the excited squeals from the rollercoaster, and the air was full of loud chatter as old friends met, and new acquaintances were made.
Autumn was talking to Ember and Lydia about the old photos she’d had blown up when she felt an arm slide around her waist. She looked up to see Griff smiling down at her. He pressed his lips against her brow.
“You okay?” he asked her.
She grinned, the apples of her cheeks plumping. “I’m good. Thank you for all your hard work on the stage. Everybody’s loving the band.”
“Ah, I got Lucas and Breck to do most of it. And Jackson just bitched about breaking a nail.”
Ember coughed out a laugh, hiding her face in Arthur’s fluffy hair.
“Who’s Jackson?” Lydia asked.
“Nobody you need to know.” Griff lowered his mouth to whisper in Autumn’s ear. “He’s already asked whether your sister is single. You might want to warn her.”
“She’d eat Jackson for breakfast.” Autumn shook her head.
Griff looked stunned. “I had that exact same thought.”
“That’s because you two are nauseatingly in tune with each other,” Lydia told them. “And seriously, who’s Jackson and why do I want to eat him?”
Ember laughed again. “I’m going to let you two dig your way out of this one. And for what it’s worth, Jack’s a good guy. He just needs someone to tame him a little.”
“He’s wild?” Lydia asked, leaning in close to tickle Arthur’s pudgy cheeks. “Why do I like the sound of him already.”
“He’s not wild. He runs his own business. But he’s not great with women.” Griff sighed, deciding to change the subject. “Anybody want a drink?”
“I’d love one.” Lydia grinned. “Is it too early for champ…” Her voice trailed off, and she swallowed hard as she stared over Autumn’s shoulder. “Um, it’s okay. I’m not thirsty.” Her faced paled as she pulled her gaze to Autumn’s.
“What’s wrong?” Autumn asked her. “You never turn down champagne.”
“Did you invite Dad?” Lydia asked, her brows pinched together.
“No. Why would I?” Autumn smiled at the suggestion. “He wouldn’t have come if I did.”
“You might want to turn around.” Lydia’s voice was low. “Oh shit, is that Josh with him?”
“Who’s Josh?” Griff asked.
It was as if Autumn’s neck muscles had gone into spasm, as she stopped mid turn. Little goose bumps broke out across her skin. Without thinking, she stepped out of Griff’s embrace. His arm fell back to his side, and he looked down, as though he was surprised to see it there.
“Josh is my ex-husband,” Autumn said, before she finally managed to turn and look at the coming onslaught.
Autumn was as stiff as a board beside him. Griff leaned closer to check if she was actually breathing. Natural instinct made his arm want to curl back around her and pull her close, but he somehow resisted the urge.
He got the feeling it wouldn’t have been welcome.
“Why the hell are they here?” Lydia asked. “And who’s that man with them?”
“I have no idea.” Autumn’s voice was croaky. She glanced at her sister and then back at the three men walking toward them, as though she had no idea what to do next.
Griff wasn’t sure whether he should disappear or walk forward to shake her dad’s hand. Autumn was giving him no clues, so he licked his lips, watching as they approached.
“I should…” Autumn’s hand fluttered to her neck, “go talk to them.” Her wide eyes caught his. “I’ll catch you later, okay?”
No, it really didn’t feel okay. He felt invaded, like these men dressed in dark suits and sharp ties were here to stake a claim. His fists curled with the need to defend what was his.
God, he really was a caveman. Autumn was her own person and she didn’t need defending.
Yeah, well tell his body that.
Ember licked her lips, shifting Arthur in her arms. “Maybe we should go find Lucas?” she said to Griff, curling her lips in what looked like a smile. “Come on.”
“Are you okay?” he asked Autumn before she could walk away or Ember could pull him away. He wasn’t sure what he wanted the answer to be. Yes, he wanted her to be okay, but he also wanted her to want him to stay.
Christ, what a mess his head was.
“Yeah,” she said, not looking at him. “I just need to find out why they’re here.”
“You want me to stay here with you?”
Her eyes widened at his question. “No,” she said quickly. “I don’t think you should… Ember’s right, you should go.”
Her suggestion felt like a slap on the face.
“Autumn!” her father boomed. “We’ve been looking all over for you. What’s going on?” He looked around, a bemused expression on his face. “Why didn’t you answer your phone? I’ve been calling you all morning.” His eyes alighted on Lydia. “And you, too.”
Lydia shrugged. “I left my phone back at Griff’s place. And Autumn’s been a bit busy. She organized this whole event single handedly.”
“Not quite.” Autumn shook her head.
“Who’s Griff?” Josh asked.
“I am.” Griff’s jaw was tight as his gaze met her ex-husband’s.
“And you’re dating Lydia?” He laughed. “Oh man, I don’t know whether to hug you or stage an intervention.”
“We’re not dating.” Lydia frowned. “I’ve only been here a few days.”
“Doesn’t usually stop you,” Josh murmured.
Lydia shot him a dirty look. “I just remembered why I’m glad you’re Autumn’s ex. And for the record, it’s not me Griff’s dating, it’s Autumn. If you can call hot sex at all hours of the day dating.”