Ember looked at Brooke, and the two of them shook their head. “I don’t think so,” Ember said. “It’s always been kind of run down.”
“I wonder if it could be another way to raise some money,” Autumn murmured. “Holding ceremonies there.”
“Delmonico’s could host the wedding party afterward,” Ember said, grinning at Autumn’s suggestion. “Or Griff could take everybody out on the boat.”
“It would make a great alternative to the resort or the Beach Club,” Brooke agreed. “And you could make it look so pretty, too.”
Autumn felt the anticipation lick at her belly. She could picture it. The wooden struts and bannisters festooned with garlands o
f flowers. Strings of lights overhead. And the pretty backdrop of the water – perfect for photographs. She’d start investigating tomorrow.
“Do you think you could have it up and running by next spring?” Brooke asked her.
“Is that when you’re planning on getting married?”
Brooke smiled. “Yeah. Aiden wanted to do it this year, but, seriously, there’s not enough time.” She glanced at Ember. “And not everybody has an event planner for a sister-in-law to pull a rabbit out of the bag.”
“I’m almost certain we could be up and running by next year.” Autumn looked at the pier again, ideas spinning through her head. She couldn’t stop the excitement from bubbling up inside her. She’d spent the last few days trying to figure out how to make a profit from the pier without hiking the rents beyond anything affordable. Using the space for events and weddings could be the exact answer she was looking for. Part of her wanted to run across the sand and up the warm wooden slats of the pier to her office to start working on her plan right away.
But then a movement caught her eye. She turned to see Griff riding a wave, surfing his body into the crest as the board weaved in and out of the spray. He made it look so easy, as though the board was glued to his feet, as he effortlessly surfed to the shallow. When he got there, he jumped off the board and pulled it with him, wading to shore.
“He looks like Aquaman,” Brooke murmured. “But bigger.”
As soon as he spotted Autumn sitting with his friends, Griff grinned and walked over. “Hey, how’s the light bulb?”
“Still working.” Autumn smiled up at him. “Thanks for changing it.”
Ember looked curiously at her. “Did a bulb blow?”
“Yes, last night. But Griff came to the rescue.” She smiled at him again. “Actually, can I talk to you for a minute?”
He blinked. “Yeah, sure.” Pitching his board in the sand, he ran his hand through his wet hair, droplets spraying everywhere. “You wanna take a walk?”
She nodded, following him to the shoreline where there was room to move in a straight line. Blowing out a mouthful of air, she tried to decide what she wanted to say. It’d seemed so easy when she was talking to Lydia earlier.
“So, um, thanks for last night.” God, she was lame.
“Any time.”
“I was wondering about what you said…” She looked up at him. His bronzed skin was covered in water droplets, clinging to him like limpets. The sun reflected from them, making tiny rainbows appear.
“What I said?”
“About kissing me.”
He stopped walking and turned to look at her, his eyes soft. “About wanting to kiss you,” he corrected.
She felt a little flutter of excitement. “Yeah,” she said, her breath catching. “About that.”
The corner of his lip quirked up. “I’m listening.”
She could feel her heart race. “I wanted you to kiss me, too.” She kicked her toes across the surface of the water. “Just so you know.”
That half-smile was still playing on his lips. “I got that impression.” He reached out to tuck a stray hair behind her ear, his finger tips trailing across her skin. “But I’m guessing you don’t mean here.”
She shook her head. “I was thinking you could come over for dinner tonight. I’ll cook for you and we can talk.” She ran her tongue across her lips, tasting the salt of the ocean. “And maybe kiss again.” She looked at him through her lashes.
“Yeah. We can do that.” His voice was low. Thick. It sent a shiver through her. “What time do you want me?”