Page 94 of Broken Boss

“The woman who had you so enraptured. Don’t pretend you don’t know what I’m talking about, Chris. I saw it—there was something special between you two. I thought she was going to be your date to your brother’s wedding?”

There’s a teasing twinkle in Grant’s eye, and for a moment, I want to extinguish it by telling him what happened. That I ruined everything. That I went after Autumn like a lawyer would, like a dog with a bone, gunning for the truth. So much so that she pulled away and disappeared.

Instead, I look down, drop the burning ember to the asphalt, and stomp it out.

“It didn’t work out. I told you, it was just a tryst. Something to occupy my time.”

Though I can’t see his face in the shadows, I can feel that Grant is frowning as he watches me. “Really? Strange it would end just before you have so much more time.”

I don’t answer, and we stand in comfortable silence for a few minutes, listening to the rise and lull of laughter coming from inside. A slow song comes on, one I don’t recognize. Grant pushes away from the tree and tips his head toward the barn.

“You’ll be wanted back soon.”

I nod and decide to follow him, despite feeling anything but festive right now. Actually, most of what I feel is guilt. Part of why I’ve been hiding away in the shadows is that I don’t want to ruin my brother and Gen’s happy day.

Inside is full of warmth and a small crowd of those who know Nate and Gen best. I recognize most of the faces and smile politely, trying to slip through the crowd and back toward my table. Most people are up and dancing. Gen’s brother sways gently with Roux beside the dance floor.

The music changes and all of a sudden, I’m hit by a little comet of energy dressed in lavender tulle. Eva looks up at me with her big eyes.

“Can you dance with me, Uncle Chris? Please?”

“How can I say no?”

I don’t really want to be dragged into the group as “Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours)” starts to play, but the smile on Eva’s face is enough to warm my hibernating heart. She takes my hand, and as I keep an easy, laid-back rhythm, twirls and bounces enthusiastically.

Nathan and Gen, wrapped around one another, give me warm smiles. Somewhere, someone snaps a photo. Eventually, a small smile starts to tip my lips upward.

And then I see her.

Autumn steps hesitantly into the room, lost quickly among the shifting crowd, but my eyes are glued to her as if we’re connected by a thread. A gorgeous terra-cotta wrap dress hugs her curves as she scans the barn.

Eva stops and sidles up close to me.

“Uncle Chris, that’s your friend!”

Autumn’s head turns, hair grazing her jaw, and our eyes meet.

One heavy thud wakes my heart.

Her cheeks go pink with self-consciousness as she realizes I’m mired in the middle of the dance floor, Eva practically glued to my arm. I raise my free hand. Then, Jenson and Mel appear from somewhere to the right.

They’re moving toward Autumn with curious but welcoming looks on their faces. She catches sight of them and the blush deepens. I can see them talking but can’t hear anything, can’t read their lips to save my life.

“Eva, come dance with your dad and me.”

Gen dips in effortlessly and gives me an encouraging smile, stealing her new stepdaughter before disappearing again. Nudged by fate, I make my way across the floor, no idea what to say. Where to start.

When I finally reach her, she’s somehow even more stunning. I have eyes only for Autumn—Jenson and Mel catch on quickly and excuse themselves, Miles complaining sleepily on Mel’s shoulder.

“Hi.”

It’s all I can manage. A small, nervous smile graces Autumn’s lips.

“Hi.”

“I didn’t think you’d come.” Clearing my throat, I add, “I didn’t think you wanted to see me.”

She bites her lip, eyes darting nervously to see if we’re being watched. Luckily, the crowd is still too immersed in music, food, drink, and the newlyweds.

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