“That’s great. I gotta go. Your mom sends her love.”
Griff opened his mouth to say goodbye, but his dad had already hung up. It was the first time they’d spoken in months and he hadn’t even bothered to say it.
After all this time, Griff was used to that.
* * *
“What’s with the long face?” Ally asked as Autumn leaned on the Déjà Brew counter and watched her expertly work the coffee machine.
“Ah nothing. Just feeling overworked.”
Ally passed her the steaming mug, and Autumn took it gratefully.
“I know how that feels. I’ve been working since five. Two of our staff are off with that bug going around. And Nate’s in Seattle for some meetings, which means I’m pretty much working for four.” She tipped her head to the side. “I know! We should have a girl’s night to decompress. Maybe we can head to the mall first for a little bit of retail therapy, then go to the Mexican restaurant nearby.” She grinned. “I’ll call Ember and the girls. What do you say?”
Autumn grinned. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d been on a girls’ night out. “That sounds good. I need some new shoes.”
“I heard you had a shoe thing.” Ally leaned on the counter. “How many do you have?”
“Here or in New York?”
Ally’s smile widened. “I need a total.”
Autumn took a sip of coffee as she made the mental calculation. “Um, maybe a hundred?”
“Seriously?” Ally’s mouth dropped open. “I have about twenty and Nate already complains about them taking up too much space in the closet.”
“I guess that’s the beauty of being divorced.” Autumn shrugged, her eyes dancing. “Or maybe the reason for it.”
Ally chuckled. “In that case, we definitely have to go shoe shopping. I know a couple of great places. The mall’s open until nine, and the restaurant is open until midnight. It’s meant to be.”
“You had me at shoe shopping,” Autumn told her as her phone beeped with a message. A glance at the screen told her it was from Griff.
“Great. I’ll pick you up once I close up at seven. Don’t wear anything too glamorous. It’ll put me to shame.” Ally beamed.
“See you later.” Autumn lifted her free hand, carrying her coffee with the other.
When she got outside, she unlocked her phone and read the message.
I missed you last night. My bed’s too big without you. – G
She shook her head, a smile on her face, and quickly tapped a reply.
Your bed is big, but so are you. I’m pretty sure you survived okay without me. - A
Almost immediately, another message flashed up.
I have to work late tonight. A friend’s taking his boat down the coast for repairs and asked me to crew for him. But I still want to see you. Will you hate me if I turn up at your place after midnight? – G
Like a booty call? – A
Pretty much. ;) - G
In that case, you’re on. See you at midnight, Cinderella. – A
* * *
“These shoes are amazing,” Ally said, lifting them to the light and turning them around. “But where the heck will you wear them around here? One step on the beach and they’d pin you to the ground. And if the tide came in you’d have to call the Coast Guard out.”