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.
“They’re too busy talking about the game tomorrow,” Ember said, rolling her eyes. “They’ll come and join us when they notice we’re gone.” She tugged at Autumn’s hand, and all six of them made their way down the steps to the dance floor, joining the mass of bodies undulating