Pieces Of Us (Angel Sands 6)

With a jolt of frustration pulsing through her, Autumn caught his gaze. “I’m not leaving the pier in ruins. And I wouldn’t come back to New York, anyway. I’ve already told you that.”

He shrugged. “It was worth a try. But if you’re staying, then maybe I can help you.”

“How?” she asked warily.

“I’ve spoken to someone who has an empty restaurant about twenty miles from here. He’s open to renting it to your tenants on a temporary lease until they can move back to the pier.” He clicked on the laptop and turned it around to show her the screen. A low-level modern building with a backdrop of palms filled it. “What do you think? He’s agreed to charge no more than you were. It’s a win-win.”

For the first time that day she felt a shot of hope. “It’s a good idea,” she conceded. “Thank you. I’ll let the Delmonico family know.”

Lydia’s phone buzzed and she lifted it from the coffee table. “Oops, that’s Griff. I was supposed to tell him when you got back.”

“Griff has your number?” Autumn asked, as Lydia quickly typed a reply.

“Yeah. We swapped them this morning when he left to go to the pier. He’s there now, finishing up with his own insurance guy.”

“Is he okay?”

Lydia laughed. “That’s exactly what he asked about you. I feel like some kind of interpreter. How about you ask him yourself. He’s a ten minute walk away.”

She was right. With everything she’d done today, there was still unfinished business. This morning when they’d sat and told Pietro about the fire starting in his restaurant, Griff had squeezed her hand tightly as Autumn tried not to cry. Then he’d walked with her to the pier and sat down on the edge of the boardwalk with her until the adjuster arrived.

He’d been ever present in her day, yet there was so much they hadn’t said. Yesterday’s argument had felt as devastating as the fire in many ways. She’d believed in him. She’d thought he believed in her, too. And then his words had cut her like a knife.

Maybe the problem was she’d never believed in herself. She should have told him about the stupid drunken pier purchase as soon as they’d grown closer. He probably would have laughed, instead of seeing it as something she was hiding from him.

She should have told him about her dad and Mr. Carlsson, too. Not to mention Josh.

The truth was, she wasn’t used to having a relationship of equals. She’d had to fight to have her voice heard – first with her father, then with her ex-husband. So when she’d had an opportunity to show Griff her weakness, she’d been afraid he’d use it against her.

But that wasn’t fair. He’d never tried to be anything more than her friend, her lover, maybe more. She’d tarred him with the same brush she’d always used, and then look what happened.

She’d messed things up.

“Are you going or what?” Lydia asked, her eyes dancing.

Autumn stood and rolled her aching shoulders. “I guess I am.” She turned toward the door, then looked back at her father. “When are you going home?” she asked him.

“Tonight. Unless you preferred I stay. I can book another night at the hotel.”

“It’s okay. But thank you.” Her smile was wan. “There’s nothing else you can do. I just need to wait for the insurance company to make their decision.”

He stepped forward and took her hands in his. “I’ve made mistakes, but I’ve always loved you, sweetheart. And there’ll always be a home for you in New York.” He pressed his lips together for a moment, then smiled. “But I can see that you want to stay here.”

“I do.” She nodded. “This is my home now.” She still didn’t trust him as far as she could throw him, not after the trick he’d pulled yesterday. But he was her dad, and he’d taken care of her – in his own way – for as long as she could remember. Maybe the distance between them would do them both some good. Give him time to work out that she didn’t need him to solve everything for her, especially not when it was on his terms.

“I’ll probably be gone before you come back,” Lydia told her, hugging her tightly. “Keep me posted on the pier, okay? And about Griff. I want to know everything.”

“I know you do.” Autumn closed her eyes as she hugged her sister tightly. “Are you sure I can’t take you to the airport?”

“I’m hitching a lift with Dad. Saves on the gas and the environment.”

“Unlike catching a plane to Hawaii,” her dad said dryly. Lydia rolled her eyes.

“Take care, sweetheart.” Her dad gave Autumn a smile, as though he was waiting for Autumn to make the first move. She sighed, then hugged him tightly.

“Safe journey,” she whispered.

“If you need anything, or if you change your mind…” he trailed off when he saw her expression. “Well, you know where I am.”