Pieces of Us - Carrie Elks Page 0,96

was that time here ran at a different pace. Maybe it was the lack of distinct seasons that made things seem slower and more laid back. In New York, it was either too hot to work or too snowy to get into the office, with only a few days in spring and summer that felt just right.

Sure, the temperature in Angel Sands dipped a little in the winter. Griff would pull a half suit on over his body when he left early in the morning to meet his friends for a surf before work began. And Autumn would slide a pair of jeans on to wear with her tank or t-shirt. If it was really cold she’d pull a thin sweater on, too. But for the most part, each day felt the same as the ones before and after.

There was a comfort in that. Unless you were desperate for your pier to be repaired, that was. The six months she had planned for the rebuilding had stretched into nine, then twelve. More than long enough to have a baby, as Ember had pointed out.

But now it was ready, and her heart was hammering against her chest as she looked around it. Not only was the structure itself rebuilt with deep green painted ironwork and light varnished wood, but there was a brand new restaurant and office, along with two shops that she’d rented out before the construction was even complete. Each building was painted in a different pastel color; green, blue, pink, and yellow. They looked like the ice cream Delmonico’s served in tall glass bowls, with swirls of cream and curled chocolate on top.

And at the end of the pier, floating proudly in the water, was Griff’s rebuilt boat. He’d renamed it, too, making Autumn christen the side with a bottle of champagne before he revealed the gold paint. Forever Autumn.

“I’ve heard of guys getting tattoos of their girlfriend’s name on their arms, but this is the first time I’ve seen a boat named after one,” she’d told him, trying to swallow down the tears.

He’d kissed her softly, brushing the hair from her face as he cupped her chin. “I like it,” he whispered. “Now I’m branded by you.”

She walked steadily up the pier, toward her office which was now two stories. The top floor was where she worked, and the bottom was outfitted with sofas, along with a huge mirror on the wall where a bride-to-be and her party could be primped and preened by her beauty team, before heading out to the pier to say her vows.

Rapping on the door before opening it, Autumn smiled when she saw Brooke sitting there, her hair being curled into barrelled ringlets as she sipped a glass of champagne. She’d been so sweet about the delay to her wedding, and refused to even consider moving venues. “I’ll wait until the pier is ready,” she’d told Autumn. “However long it takes. I can’t imagine a better place to get married.”

Ally was sitting next to Brooke, having mascara carefully applied to her lashes. Ember was on the sofa with Arthur, who looked adorable in a tiny suit and bow tie. He had a car in his hand and was running it over the cushions, making engine noises through his lips.

Caitie and Harper would be here later. Though Caitie was working hard on her water phobia, she knew her limits. So the two of them were getting ready at home, and would arrive for the ceremony, where Breck and James would be waiting for them.

“Everything okay?” Autumn asked her friends.

“It’s wonderful,” Brooke said, grinning at her from the mirror. “I feel like a princess.”

“You look like one, too,” Autumn told her. Brooke’s dress was hanging up, a delicate ivory lace bodice that would cling to her body, then fan out in layers to the ground. Ember and Ally would walk down the aisle in front of her, along with Arthur who was in charge of the rings, or at least would be holding the ring bag in his hand. Brooke’s fiancé, Aiden, would be waiting for her with their son, Nicholas, who was standing up as his best man.

“You have an hour until the ceremony’s due to start,” Autumn told them, checking her watch. “Are you ready for a snack?”

“From Delmonico’s?” Ally asked. “Hell yes.”

“I think she’s going to need it to soak up the champagne,” Brooke said dryly. “Speaking of which, would you like some?”

“I’ll pour,” Ember said, rising up from the sofa.