Chapter 6

CHAPTER 6

The night was perfect. Autumn glanced around the ballroom, pleased with how the event had turned out. Harry and Ed were having a wonderful time. Laughing and dancing, spending time with their family and friends.

The atmosphere was perfect. Black and gold peppered the room, timeless and elegant. Tables were draped in black cloths and set with gold edged plates and silver. Pictures of their life together sprinkled the room, eclectic and unmatched, but all framed in gold. Calla lilies dusted with gold powder sprung from obsidian vases, twinkling lights intertwined between them.

Music pumped through the space, enticing all the guests to get up and dance once dinner service had been cleared. In about an hour they’d bring out the massive cake Margo and Nicola, Noah’s cousins, had made for dessert. In the meantime, the bar was open and everyone appeared to be having a great time.

It had been five days since the Christmas fair. And since then, she and Noah had spent every night together. And any day she’d been able to sneak away from work, something she never did.

The last week had felt…magical. But somewhere in the back of Autumn’s mind, she knew it couldn’t last. But she was going to enjoy it while she could.

Noah snuck up behind her. His arms tightened around her waist as he whispered into her ear, “When do you get to take a break?”

It was easy and comfortable to let her body rest against his. “Not until after cake.”

“Don’t you have people who work for you?”

“Yes,” she said, drawing out the single word because she already knew where this was going.

“Let them handle the cake. You’ve done enough for tonight. It’s time for you to be a guest.”

Between their bodies, his hands slowly pulled the hem of her cocktail dress up until his cool fingers found her warm skin. He stroked the delicate area of her inner thigh, sending goosebumps skittering across her skin.

Autumn shook her head, a grin teasing at her lips. The man was insatiable. “That’s not how it works, Noah. You hired me to manage the entire party.”

His warm, soft lips teased against the sensitive skin of her neck. “Then consider yourself fired.”

“Very funny.” Autumn barely contained a groan as Noah sucked gently on the tender curve where shoulder met neck. Liquid fire pooled in her belly, slowly seeping out to swirl down every limb. “Stop. You’re going to cause a scene.”

“You don’t mean that,” he murmured but his hold on her loosened just the same.

That was one of the things she loved about him. He listened.

The thought had her entire body stiffening. God, how had that happened so fast?

Or maybe it hadn’t been fast, the emotion simply dormant, waiting for the right circumstances to bloom again.

“What’s wrong?”

Autumn shook her head. “Nothing.” She needed to get her own thoughts in order before she shared them with him. And even then, this wasn’t the time or place for that discussion.

Hell, he’d been home for less than a week. His grandparents were across the ballroom dancing together and his mom and step-dad, who’d flown in just this afternoon, were right beside them.

Forcing her body to relax, Autumn melted back into his embrace. “How about a compromise? I have time for one dance and a glass of champagne before the cake comes out.” She twisted in his arms, looking up into his rugged face. “And once the cake is cut, I’m yours for the rest of the night.”

Heat and promise swirled through the dark blue depths of his eyes. Leaning down, Noah brushed his mouth across her open lips. “Promise?”

Autumn sighed and nodded. She’d probably promise this man anything.

“Sold.” Grasping her hand, Noah led her out onto the dance floor. The band segued into a slow, steady song, the lead singer crooning about moonlight and love.

Noah’s arms wrapped around her and together, they moved smoothly across the floor. Clearly, the man could play on more than just the football field. Leaning back, a crooked smile tugged at her lips. “Where’d you learn these moves?”

He shrugged. “Harry forced me to learn a long time ago.”

“Smart woman.”

“Absolutely.” Noah reeled her out and back in, grasping her hand and flattening it against the hard wall of his chest.

Autumn was so caught up in the moment that she didn’t see his grandparents until they were dancing beside them. Leaning over, Harry said, “What a gorgeous couple,” a knowing grin stretching from ear to ear.

“Harry,” Noah groaned. “Stop pushing.”

“Who’s pushing? I’m just stating facts. You’ve always made a beautiful couple. And I’m not just talking about the way you physically complement each other.”

“Yeah, yeah, we get it.”

Harry just shook her head. “But do you?”

Noah rolled his eyes. Ed leaned into the fray and said, “Harriet, leave the children alone,” as he moved them gracefully away.

Autumn could feel the words rumble through Noah’s chest as he pulled her tight against his body. “One thing, she isn’t, is subtle.”

She couldn’t stop a chuckle. “True.”

“But she also isn’t wrong. We are perfect together. Always have been.”

Tightness constricted Autumn’s throat. Using their joined hands, Noah eased her back so he could peer down at her. His face was solemn and honest. His mouth opened, but before any words could come out the phone in his breast pocket vibrated.

He ignored it, but several seconds later the buzzing started again.

“I’m sorry,” he said, taking a step away to pull it out and glance at the screen. A frown jerked his eyebrows low. With a distracted glance her way, he said, “Apparently, I need to take this,” before spinning on his heel and leaving her standing alone in the middle of the dance floor.

It wasn’t that she cared, not really. But an uneasy feeling slid through her belly. Left her restless.

Noah crossed the quiet lobby, leaving behind the music, noise and satisfaction of having Autumn in his arms.

He had no idea why his agent was calling him – repeatedly – right now. Part of him wanted to ignore Matt. But clearly, the man wasn’t willing to be ignored since he’d already called twice and left a message instructing him to call immediately.

Opening the door to Autumn’s office, he slipped inside, not bothering to flip on the lights. Crossing to the wall of windows, he stared out over the lake as he hit the button to return Matt’s call.

The other man didn’t even bother with a greeting. “Noah, I’m sorry to interrupt, I know the anniversary party is tonight, but this couldn’t wait.”

“What the heck is going on, man?”

“Seattle wants you.”

“Excuse me?” Noah felt like he’d taken a blow to the gut. The room spun. Reaching blindly behind him, he grasped Autumn’s desk chair and spun it so he could plop down.

“Seattle wants you. But they want you starting next week. They know you’re not ready to get back on the field, but part of what they’re interested in is your mentoring skills and reputation as a team captain. You can do that from the sidelines and locker room. New England is willing to release you early to clear the way for you to make the move.”

He had no idea what to say. The idea of being part of a team again… God, he missed that feeling. The camaraderie, the teasing and good times. The shared misery after a rough game or practice. The joy of success.

In his mind, he’d given all of that up. Everything.

But now, it was right back in front of him. Possibilities he’d never expected to have again.

“Seattle? That’s so far away.”

Matt scoffed. “What difference does it make? We both know you’re not the kind to grow roots. You can be just as happy and comfortable there as you are now. Both places have airports.”

A week ago, Noah would have agreed with him. But now…his gaze glanced around Autumn’s office, taking in the line of snow globes high on the shelf. The binders and papers. The scent of her that lingered in the chair.

The Christmas ornament his grandmother had given her days ago sat atop the desk. Noah reached for it, slowly turning it over so he could watch the glitter of snow cascade over the scene.

Seattle was an entire country way from South Carolina.

“I need your answer tonight.”

“What do you mean you need an answer tonight? I need some time to think about this, Matt. Picking up and moving to Seattle is a big deal, especially if they want me there next week.”

“What’s there to think about? This keeps you in the game, man. At least for a few more years. We both know you’ll never play like you used to, but you can still have some time. Time to go out on your terms, not because you’re being forced out.”

“I guess.” Even as the words left his mouth, Noah shook his head. Something about this didn’t feel right.

Something scraped against the floor behind him. Noah jerked around to find Autumn standing in the open doorway. Light from the hallway spilled around her, bathing her in a halo that highlighted her expression.

Devastation and pain filled her golden-brown eyes.

Noah shot up, the chair rolling back and rattling loudly into the dark silence that sat between them. “Man, I have to call you back.”

Matt was still protesting as Noah hit the button to end the call. He didn’t care.

“It isn’t what you think.”

Autumn simply shook her head. “Your grandparents are cutting the cake.” Her words were thick and heavy, just like the weight in the center of his gut.

Without waiting, Autumn spun away. Her heels clicked across the flagstone floor of the lobby, staccato beats as she shot through the empty space. She had a head start and beat him back to the ballroom. Skirting around the edges, she stopped to murmur to one of her employees. Her back to the room, he could tell that she was about to run away.

But he wasn’t about to let that happen.

“Noah!” His grandfather’s voice boomed above the crowd gathered around the stage at the far end of the room. Every head turned to stare. Together, his grandparents emphatically waved him up onto the stage beside them. His mom stood there too, her husband – a man Noah liked and respected – lingering behind. A path opened up through the throng of people, giving him no choice but to comply.

Noah’s entire world felt like it was crumbling as he passed by neighbors, friends, people he’d known his whole life. Up on the stage, Harry wrapped her arms tight around his middle. “We’d like to think our grandson for this wonderful party. It’s been a blessing to get to celebrate the happiness of our life with all of you.”

Her arms tightened, squeezing hard. Noah swallowed, squeezing her back. His eyes burned, but he forced a smile onto his face.

The next few minutes were a blur. His grandparents cut the cake. The band played the same song they’d danced to at their wedding as they took another turn around the floor. After a few minutes, they began pulling other people out with them.

Harry snagged his hand and tugged. “Dance with me.”

He could never deny her anything.

Her body was strong, but still somehow frail as he wrapped an arm around her waist and guided her smoothly across the floor.

“What’s wrong?” she asked, staring up at him with that knowing expression only a mother or grandmother could pull off.

Noah shook his head. He wasn’t going to ruin this night for her by unloading. “Nothing.”

Her eyes narrowed, glittering with irritation and disappointment. “Boy, I’ve known you your entire life. I’ve watched you struggle and triumph and deal with shit no one, let alone a child, should have to deal with. Stop bullshitting me. What’s wrong?”

What could he do in the face of her demand? “Matt called. I have an offer to play in Seattle, but they want me there next week.”

“I see.” Harry’s expression went completely neutral. “When do you leave?”

Why did everyone just assume he was going to jump at the opportunity?

“I’m not sure I am.”

A single eyebrow rose. “Oh?”

Noah closed his eyes. The jumble of emotions had his chest and stomach in knots. “It won’t be like before. I wouldn’t be a star on the team, just a back-up and support.”

A rude sound echoed through Harry’s chest. “You’ve never cared about being a star, which is one of the reasons you’ve always been one.”

Noah’s lips twisted into a grimace. “True, I don’t give a shit about playing time or media or any of that. But I do care about doing what I love and even going to Seattle, I won’t be doing that very much.”

“Something is better than nothing.”

This time, when he looked down at his grandmother, his eyes narrowed. “Are you trying to get me to leave?”

“Absolutely not. I’m trying to get you to do what you want, but I’m not so certain you know what that is right now.”

For some reason, her words had peace settling across his shoulders. Until that very moment, he hadn’t known what he wanted. “When did you get so wise?”

“Son, I’ve been wise longer than you’ve been alive. What else is holding you back?”

His throat constricted. It wasn’t just the team, lack of playing time, moving across the country. He knew what he wanted now, but that didn’t mean he’d get it. And that scared the shit out of him. “Autumn.”

Harry hummed in the back of her throat. “What about her?”

“I screwed up. Before. Sure, we’ve spent time together this week, but she made it clear there were no expectations. What if she doesn’t want more than right now?”

Harry’s arms tightened around him. “What if she does?”

His words whispered out, like a secret or a prayer. “I don’t want to let her go again.”

“Then don’t. You don’t need the money or the glory. If you think going will make you happy, then by all means, take the job. But, I’ll let you in a secret, if you’re honest with Autumn I have a feeling you could have both the position in Seattle and the girl. That’s something you need to discuss with her.”

“You’re right.” Noah stared down into his grandmother’s wrinkled, radiant face. She’d been there for him every day of his life. The moments he’d needed someone most.

Gripping her by the shoulders, Noah leaned down to place a kiss on her cheek. “I never would have made it to where I am without you. Without you both. I love you. But I’m sorry, I have to go.”

His grandmother grinned even as she shooed him away. “Go, go, go. We’re going to get drunk, dance and then enjoy the room upstairs Autumn was sweet enough for book for us.”

Yep, that was Autumn. He hadn’t even thought of that, but she’d taken care of everything.

Glancing around the room, Noah spotted Autumn’s assistant lurking in a dark corner. Making a beeline for her, he asked, “Where is she?”

Michelle tilted her head sideways. “I don’t think I should tell you. She looked pretty upset.”

“I know. Tell me where she is so I can fix it.”

The other woman stared for several seconds before saying, “On nights we expect to be here late, she often takes one of the empty suites upstairs. She’s in 405 tonight.”

She shouldn’t have left. It was highly unprofessional to walk out on an event before it had ended, but she just couldn’t stay. Michelle insisted she’d be fine, and she was only a few floors above if something crazy happened. One of the reasons she hadn’t headed home.

That and she really wasn’t up for being in her quiet, empty house where everywhere she looked were memories of her and Noah together.

Not tonight.

But she also wasn’t ready to go to sleep.

She should have snagged one of the wine bottles on her way out so she could drown her sorrows, but she hadn’t been thinking.

Instead, she stood at the wall of windows, arms wrapped tight around herself as she stared out into the night. The sky was clear and heavy with stars that reflected off the smooth surface of the lake.

God, she should have known better than to let her heart get tangled up with Noah Woodson again. Her brain had tried to stop her, but her heart…it was an idiotic bitch.

Contemplating just how unprofessional it might appear if she called room service to order a bottle, Autumn was startled at the knock on her door.

Only Michelle knew where to find her. She’d been gone for fifteen minutes. What could have gone wrong?

Striding across the space, Autumn didn’t bother checking the peep hole before opening the door.

And then wished she had.

Noah’s hands raised in the universal ‘I come in peace’ gesture. “Hear me out. Please.”

She shouldn’t. She should close the door in his face, order that bottle and get blitzed. But she just couldn’t make herself do it.

Instead, she swept her hand inside and tried not to respond when his arm brushed against her body as he passed.

Stopping in the middle of the room, Noah turned to look at her and for the first time, she realized he was holding something in his hand.

The snow globe Harry had given her.

Where had he gotten it?

Nope, it didn’t matter.

“Autumn, I screwed up fifteen years ago when I let you go. I knew it was a mistake when I did it, but I pretended it was the right thing to do. For both of us. I’m not about to make that same mistake twice.”

Autumn shook her head. “Stop.” The word scraped through her throat, jagged and painful.

Noah closed the gap between them. “No. I won’t stop. I love you. I’ve loved you from the moment I spotted you in the hallway in eighth grade. Your hair in a loose braid, those damn golden eyes sparkling with laughter as you talked with one of your friends. You were radiant. Utter sunshine in the middle of my dark life. And each day we spent together, the more I got to know the person you are…I only loved you more.”

Autumn’s eyes widened.

“You’re gorgeous, smart, kind. You care so hard for everyone around you. I’m not good enough for you and never have been.”

Her tawny eyes started to glitter, with hope and irritation. “Stop saying shit like that. You’re an amazing man, Noah Woodson.”

He shrugged. “Despite everything, I turned out okay. But I’m nothing without you.” Noah snagged her hand and pulled her closer. “I don’t care about Seattle. I don’t care about anything, except figuring out how to build a life with you.”

Autumn shook her head. “You’re an idiot, you know that? I never asked you to give up on your dream, Noah. And I never would have. This isn’t an either/or situation. Take the job in Seattle. Build something with me. You can have both. We can have both.”

Noah’s eyes closed as he rested his forehead against hers. “I know you wouldn’t. But I’m not willing to be that far away from you. That’s my choice. I’ve come to peace with my football career being over. I don’t regret that. What I do regret is missing out on having you with me through it all.”

Autumn reached for him, her hands cupping his jaw. Stubble scraped against her skin, making her palms tingle. Hope, happiness and love swelled deep inside her chest. “I’ll do this on one condition. No regrets. All we have is looking forward.”

Grasping her hand, Noah flipped it palm up and set the snow globe he’d been holding in the center.

“I know Harry already gave this to you, but I’m giving it to you again. You said there wasn’t a snowball’s chance in hell that you’d go back. I’m not asking to go back. I’m asking to move forward. I want to show you the world, Autumn. Not just behind a tiny dome of glass, but all of it. I want to build a life together.”

Wrapping her fingers around the cool glass, Autumn gripped it tight. “When Harry gave this to me, I found myself making a silent, stupid wish. Who knew that wish would come true? I want a life with you. Family, kids, a future. I don’t care if we ever go anywhere, Noah. But wherever we go, it’ll be together.”