Pieces of Us - Carrie Elks Page 0,82

to let this come between her and Lydia.

“Thank you,” Lydia mumbled into her shoulder. “Now go and find Griff. The two of you have some talking to do.

27

It took almost thirty minutes to make her way down the pier, thanks to all the people who wanted to talk to her about the charity day, and a few snafus that required her attention. With every minute that passed, Autumn felt her anxiety increase, especially when Griff didn’t return the messages she quickly tapped out on her phone.

Was he really that angry about her getting drunk?

She weaved through the crowd, her head turning from side to side as she sought him out. It was infuriating – he should be easy to spot, but she couldn’t see him anywhere.

Then her gaze landed on his boat. The gangplank was down. She tried to remember if it had been that way earlier. Taking a deep breath, she walked onboard, feeling the gentle bob of the anchored boat as the waves lapped against it.

“Griff?” she called out, feeling a strange shiver snake down her spine. “Are you here?”

She was about to turn back when she heard a sound coming from the front of the boat. She walked past the cabin, and the ladder that led to the wheelroom. Her eyes landing on him sitting on a bench, a glass full of something amber held to his lips as he looked out to shore.

She could see the outline of his muscles through his thin t-shirt. Was it only this morning she was running her hands all over them?

“I’ve been looking for you,” she said softly.

He stood as soon as he heard her, the glass still in one hand. There was a blankness in his eyes. “I’ve been right here.” He lifted up a bottle that was resting on the bench beside him. “Did you know this whiskey’s been here since my dad ran the boat? He must have forgotten to take it with him when he left.” He shook his head. “About the only thing he’s ever given me. I kept meaning to throw it out, but maybe I knew it’d come in handy.” His words were slurred. Enough for her to know it wasn’t the first glass he was drinking.

“Can we talk about what just happened back there?” she asked. “Maybe go to my office?”

“Why? You want to sell me a pier?” The roughness of his voice sent shivers down her spine.

“No. I want to explain.”

He looked down at his glass. “There’s nothing to explain. If you want to sell the pier, that’s fine. It’s what you intended to do all along.” He lifted the whiskey to his lips and tipped his head back, emptying the glass before pouring himself another.

“Can you slow down?” she asked, shaking her head as he swallowed another mouthful. “This is supposed to be a happy day.”

“I’m just trying to see how it feels. How drunk do you have to get to buy a pier?” He shrugged, that steely glint still in his gaze. “Two drinks? Three? Five? How many until I become somebody completely different for a few weeks.”

“You’re making an idiot of yourself,” she hissed, grabbing his arm. “Can we please talk about this somewhere less open?”

“Why? You want to tell me about your ex? I didn’t know you’d invited him to the charity day.” He gave her a sour smile. “Maybe you should have warned me.”

“I didn’t know either.” She let out a sigh. “I’m sorry… I should have…” her voice trailed off. What should she have done? She had no idea. All she knew was she hated the way he was looking at her.

Like he was angry and hurt and every emotion in between.

She was acutely aware of how alcohol and boats didn’t mix. It made the hackles on her neck rise up. “Come on,” she said again, reaching for his arm. “Let’s go.”

“What is it with women and my arm,” he muttered, pulling away from her. “You chicks have a thing about it.”

“Chicks?” She straightened her spine. “Seriously?” Damn, he was aggravating. “Maybe it’s you who’s got the problem. If you just came with me when I asked, I wouldn’t have to drag you.”

“I’ve come with you enough.” His voice was low. “Every night for the past few weeks. Remember all the times I held you in my arms afterward? All those long conversations about my family and your divorce? I don’t remember you once mentioning you only bought the pier because you were drunk.”

“Why should