“I appreciate it. We’re not fast-forwarding anything. Just enjoying the moment.”
He patted me on the shoulder. “Good. Shall we join the others?”
“Is that it?”
He shrugged. “What do you want me to say? I’m fucking happy you have someone. Autumn’s a great girl. You’ve said you won’t fuck her around and I believe you. What did I miss?”
I was lucky to have a friend like Dexter. And the rest of them. Dexter knew my heart and trusted me. There really wasn’t anything more to say. “You’re a good man, Dexter Daniels.”
“You too, Gabriel. I’m happy if you’re happy.”
We headed back out to the lobby and got directed into the restaurant, where I could see Autumn and Hollie at the bar. She was laughing at something and then her hands were in the air and she was scrunching up her face.
“What are you two laughing about?” Dexter said.
“Autumn was just telling me about her bad mood today and I told her that it never lasts long.”
“Right,” I said. “Ten minutes tops before she’s found a positive angle on the worst situation.”
Someone called Autumn’s name and when we turned, Tristan and Joshua were heading toward us.
“You look stunning,” Tristan said to Autumn, kissing her on the cheek. “So do you, Hollie. Great necklace.”
“The beautiful birthday girl,” Joshua said, pulling her into a hug.
I wanted my friends to like Autumn. I just didn’t want them to like her too much.
“Right.” I had something to say. There was no point in hiding it from my friends any longer. “Joshua, and maybe you need to hear this too, Tristan. You should both know that Autumn and I are together. You can flirt all you like with her, but at the end of the night, she’s coming home with me.”
Tristan’s eyebrows looked like they were going to disappear over the top of his head. “Fucking hell, I knew that face of yours would come in handy one day.”
“What has my face got to do with it?” I asked, completely confused.
“Don’t pretend you don’t know you’re a handsome devil,” he replied and nudged me.
I shook my head. “I have no response to that.”
“Can we eat now?” Autumn asked, sliding her hand into mine. It was the first time we’d held hands in public. Even in Rome, we’d had Bethany with us and hadn’t crossed that line. “I’m famished, as the Brits would say, and I need a drink so I can see these eggs everyone keeps talking about.”
“Follow me,” said Dexter, leading us all over to the hostess. “Andrew, Beck, and Stella will have to catch up with us.”
“Speak of the devil,” Joshua said. “The three most beautiful women in London and none of them on my arm. I need to figure out my priorities in life.”
“You said it,” I said, slapping Joshua on the back as we made our way to the table. “I keep telling you, you work too hard.”
“Right,” he said, offering me a half smile. “Maybe that’s it.”
I made a mental note to take him to lunch in the next couple of weeks. Something was up but now wasn’t the time to get into it. I wanted tonight to be all about Autumn.
Dinner was more enjoyable for me than for Autumn. These had been my friends for as long as I cared to remember, but I could tell Autumn wasn’t entirely herself. Like she said, she’d have been just as happy at home with meatloaf.
I cleared my throat to get the table’s attention. “Can I suggest we finish up here? I’ve organized a little afterparty.”
I could see Autumn looking at me out of the corner of my eyes, her eyebrows pinched together.
“Afterparty?” Stella asked. “That sounds exciting.”
I smiled. I was about to announce a trip to my own personal hell. But it would be worth it, because Autumn would have the time of her life. I hoped.
“What do you have planned?” Dexter asked.
I pulled out my phone. “I’ve hired this place out for our group.” I showed them a picture of the Theatre Café, which I’d found out was a little café on St. Martins Lane in the West End that was dedicated to musicals and regularly had cast members from current musicals in to perform. “I’ve invited some of the cast of Mamma Mia and Wicked along to sing some songs, and we all get to join in.”
“Really?” Autumn asked me, clearly thinking I was joking. “Honestly?”
“Wow,” Hollie said from across the table.
“Unfortunately, Idina Menzel wasn’t available, but the stars from the current productions are coming,” I said. “I thought you’d like it.”
Autumn shook her head, a grin spreading across her face like butter. “But you hate my singing.”
“That’s true,” I replied. “But I want you to have a fantastic birthday more than I value my eardrums.”
Autumn laughed. “You are the best of men, Gabriel Chase. I can’t imagine a better birthday gift.”