Page 56 of 5 Golden Flings

Autumn’s assistant pulled a large tablet out from somewhere. She placed it gently in the center of the table, upside down so that he and his grandparents could read the information as Autumn opened a file and swiped through colorful pages.

Running her finger down lists, she rattled off information that Noah had no desire to pay attention to. It was clear she didn’t need to actually read what was on the page…she knew it by heart.

His grandmother nodded. Her eyebrows beetled in concentration as she absorbed every word Autumn uttered.

“Just a few last-minute decisions. I know you wanted the crab cakes as the appetizer course, but there’s an issue with the catering staff’s supplier. We can however sub the shrimp and grits instead if that’s okay with you?”

Harry’s face fell. “We didn’t go with the shrimp and grits because it was more expensive.”

“I know, but since this issue is on our end, we’ll provide the substitute at the same price.”

Harry’s lips thinned and her eyes narrowed. “Autumn, tell me you aren’t doing this on purpose. You know I wanted the shrimp and grits, but decided on the crab cakes so we could do the filet instead of the sirloin.”

That caught Noah’s attention. “I know, which is why I felt pretty confident telling the catering staff to move forward with the change. But I wanted to verify with you as well. I can always tell them to sub something else if you’d prefer.”

His grandmother’s mouth twitched. “You didn’t answer my question.”

Autumn’s eyes narrowed. “Did you ask a question?”

Shaking her head, Harry said, “The substitution is fine.”

Noah opened his mouth to tell them that money was no object and his grandmother should never have needed to sacrifice what she wanted to afford the filet in the first place. But before he could utter a word, his grandfather’s hand slammed into his knee. A subtle shake of his head had Noah snapping his jaw shut again.

“Great!” Autumn went on. “Now, I know you said you didn’t need a gift table.”

“Because no one is supposed to be bringing us anything. It specifically says so in the invitation. That’s not what this party is for.”

Autumn leaned back in her chair, the stylus she was using tapping softly against her palm. “We both know everyone is going to do it anyway. Better to be prepared.”

“But then is looks like weexpectedpeople to bring something when I’d really prefer that they didn’t.”

“Understood.” Autumn’s assistant flipped seamlessly to a digital drawing of the room complete with color coded tables, numbered chairs and a corresponding guest list off to the side. Clearly, the two worked well together. “That’s why I’m going to suggest we add one more high-top cocktail table. We’ve strategically placed several around the room already for people to place drinks or appetizer plates as they circulate before and after dinner. One more to the left of the entryway will blend in with the rest, but can also be used for people to place gifts and cards on when it’s needed.” Autumn’s lips quirked up in a subdued smile, “And trust me, it will be needed.”

Harry sighed. “I know you’re right, I don’t want you to be, but you are. You think of everything, Autumn.”

“That’s my job.” Scrolling through a few more pages, Noah zoned out again. He should be thinking about the call with his agent in fifteen minutes. The call that could end his career. But instead, he found himself watching Autumn.

Playing that childhood game, spot the differences.

So much about her was the same, and yet, so much was different. The sparkle of mischief still lurked in her eyes, just deeper and more well-hidden. Tiny lines crinkled the corners of her eyes whenever she smiled. Or frowned. Tell-tale signs that neither of them were as young as they used to be.

Not that his own body wasn’t capable of reminding him on that score often.

The delicate dusting of freckles that trailed across the bridge of her nose had muted, although that could simply be the time of year. He wondered if they still popped out against her creamy skin after just one day in the sun.

Her chestnut hair was shorter, brushing just below her shoulders instead of to the middle of her back, and she’d clearly taken time to curl it instead of letting it hang straight. Would it still be soft against his fingers if he ran them through?

But it was her eyes that still got him. Golden brown with flecks of green. Those eyes had never been able to hide anything from him. He’d known what each twitch of her eyelid had meant – happy, sad, angry.

Now, he couldn’t read anything.

The phone in his pocket vibrated.

A knot formed in his belly, hard and insistent. A knot that had nothing to do with the call he was about to take, even though it should have.

Pulling his phone out, Noah didn’t even look at the screen. “I’m sorry, my agent is early.”

Glancing up at him, eyes blinking as if she’d forgotten he was even there, Autumn said, “Michelle, can you show Mr. Woodson to the office next door? You can take your call there. We shouldn’t be much longer.”

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