Page 59 of 5 Golden Flings

The mirth in his gaze fizzled out. “Yes, it was.”

Autumn stared at him for several seconds. A weird sensation flowed through her…like the conversation wasn’t finished, but she didn’t feel right offering anything more. Finally, she said, “Why don’t you follow me? I’ll take you to your grandparents.”

“I don’t want to interrupt their afternoon stroll. Why don’t you show me the resort instead?”

Because of course she had nothing better to do than to give him a tour of the place. No, she didn’t have twenty little details to handle for the party he was throwing, let alone the four other major events she had in the next two weeks.

There was a huge part of her that wanted to say no. Knew that it was the smart thing. He’d walk out the door today, she’d see him again in a few days for the party and then…never again outside her television screen.

But there was a tiny part, a small kernel deep inside that remembered how they used to be. And apparently, that piece was firmly in charge today.

“All right.”

Her answer surprised him. The expression on her face said it might have surprised her as well.

But Noah wasn’t going to look a gift horse in the mouth. Right now, the last thing he needed was to be alone with his thoughts. Tomorrow would be soon enough to deal with the collapse of his career…and identity.

Without another word, Autumn spun on her heel and disappeared out the door. He trailed slowly behind as she stepped into her office. Perching on the edge of the sofa she flicked the three-inch black patent leather heels off her feet and replaced them with sensible walking shoes.

Leaning against the jamb, Noah couldn’t stop his gaze from traveling across the rounded curve of her calves. Or the sliver of skin as the hem of her skirt traveled up her thigh. The picture of the straightlaced business attire capped off with the gray and blue tennis shoes should have clashed. But somehow, the whole thing worked.

“You could probably tackle a marathon in that outfit, couldn’t you?”

Popping a hand on her hip, she said, “I could’ve run the marathon in my heels, but the rain and sleet the last few days have made the grounds a little treacherous.”

“We wouldn’t want you to slip and fall.”

“No, we wouldn’t.” Sweeping her hand out in front of her, Autumn indicated he should lead the way.

It was easy, falling into step beside her as they wandered down the hall of offices and back out into the soaring lobby. The resort really was a wonder. New since he’d left, but still somehow maintaining a feeling like it had been there for centuries. Part of the landscape.

As if sensing where his thoughts had gone, Autumn began narrating. She shared background about the owners, architects and artists who’d help create the place. Shared more about the culture and amenities. In short, she sounded like a well-rehearsed pitch. No doubt, one she’d given several times to prospective clients.

Leaning close, he said, “You don’t have to sell me. We’ve already booked the resort for the party.”

Autumn’s mouth tightened even as her skin went slightly pink. Tossing him a glare, she headed to the vast expanse of windows that soared three stories high and spanned the entire back wall.

Pushing against one of the doors, Autumn walked out onto the flagstone patio. Even in December, quaint metal bistro sets were scattered across the space. A huge firepit squatted in the center, eight Adirondack chairs ringed around it. A welcoming fire roared inside. A bar was situated at the end of the outdoor space, clearly set up to provide hot chocolate, coffee, snacks and fixings for s’mores should any of the guests want something.

Several people, including a younger couple, a family with three school-aged children and an older gentleman, all crowded around the firepit. They were laughing and talking. Clearly, not together, but interacting and sharing the moment of roasting marshmallows.

One child cried out as his marshmallow melted straight off the stick, dying with a tell-tale hiss as it hit the glowing embers of the fire. The dad crouched down, murmuring something in the little boy’s ear. With gentle fingers, he wiped the tear rolling down his son’s chubby cheek, plopped another marshmallow onto the end of his stick and pointed him back in the direction of the fire pit.

A tight knot formed in the center of Noah’s chest. He rubbed at the knot absentmindedly as he watched the scene play out before him. His father would have screamed and caused a scene…if he’d bothered to take the time to be there in the first place.

“Cute family,” Autumn mused.

“Sure.”

“Ever want some of your own?”

Noah’s head whipped around to find Autumn staring at the same scene he was, longing and wonder filling her face.

The knot in his chest tightened, so he rubbed harder. “You know I wouldn’t know the first thing about being a good dad.”

Her mouth tightened and a bemused expression filled her golden eyes. “I’ve always thought you’d make an excellent dad. You were great with your young cousins…even when they were pestering pains in the ass.”

A chuckle escaped past the constriction in his ribs. “They were harmless.”

---