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 to the beat.
Ally was the first to let go. She shimmied her hips, raising her hands into the air as her long blonde hair flowed out behind her. She looked amazing in a tight silver dress, the metallic fabric clinging to her athletic curves. All the guys on the dance floor were looking at her, although she was way too busy dancing to notice.
Autumn tipped her head back, letting the music wash over her as she let her own hips and body sway. When was the last time she danced in a club like this, with friends, and without a care in the world? She should do it more often.
For the first time in a long while she felt happy. Really and truly content. Maybe it was the new start, or maybe it was being in Angel Sands. It was almost impossible to be unhappy with the warm sun and deep blue ocean surrounding you.
Or maybe there was another reason. Her lips curled into a smile as she glanced over her shoulder and saw Griff looking at her from the VIP area, as he talked with Lucas. Maybe it was about finding a friend who made her feel excited to wake up every morning. One who made facing life so much easier.
Whatever it was, she liked it.
“One more dance,” Ember said when the song finished. “And then we should go and give Griff his birthday presents.”
“Yeah, and get another glass of champagne.” Harper grinned at their laughter at her suggestion. “Hey, it’s the first time James and I have been to a club since the baby was born.” She wrinkled her nose. “In fact, I think it’s the first time we’ve ever been somewhere like this. I want to make the most of it.”
Harper had filled Autumn in on the unusual way she and James had gotten together. They’d met at the opening of the Silver Sands Resort, and spent one amazing night together. She’d never expected to see him again until she realized she was pregnant and had to track him down. Until their baby was born, they’d been so busy getting used to being expecting parents that they hadn’t had time to date the way people usually did.
“Sounds good to me,” Caitie said. “I’ve been working way too many hours this month. I need all the champagne to calm my nerves.”
“It’s Autumn who needs the champagne,” Brooke pointed out. “She’s organizing a charity event for Frank as well as trying to make some changes at the pier, and we all know certain people will try to make it difficult for her. And on top of that, she organized Griff’s birthday party.”
“I like planning stuff.” Autumn shrugged. “I’m weird that way.”
Brooke caught her eye. “Well Griff’s a lucky guy to have you as a friend.”
“Yeah he is.” Ally winked. “Really lucky.”
* * *
“So, you’re just friends, then,” Lucas said to Griff as the waiter passed them two more beers.
“Yeah, right.” Jackson rolled his eyes. “Because friends are always organizing parties for each other.”
“To be fair, Caitie organized our wedding,” Lucas pointed out.
“Yeah, but she’s your sister so it doesn’t count. Autumn clearly has the hots for Griff, and by the way he’s staring down at her, he feels the same way.”