Stranded in Paradise (The Blake Boys Book 13) (2 page)

She wanted to show her sister she could pull off the wedding of her dreams. They’d talked about how they wanted their special days since they were kids, and she felt like she could single-handedly plan the entire thing. One thing was certain, wedding planning kept her mind off the twinge of loneliness that would crop up every now and again. They’d been together their entire lives and now things were changing. She was over the moon for Summer, but she felt like a piece of her was being ripped away at the same time.

The happy couple were making their rounds with the guests, which included Bo’s family and some people from their work. The doorbell rang, and someone from the catering staff opened the door. It was Cassidy and Channing Blake. Cassidy had sent her a text earlier saying she was running behind schedule with a client and she and Channing would be arriving late. A lot of good things had come from Summer and Bo dating. The Blakes took them in as family the minute they met them, and Autumn found a new friend in Cassidy. She admired her new friend’s courageous fight against cancer and the way she approached life. She and Cassidy had made plans to go to the spa tomorrow and see the latest action movie starring Chris Cavanaugh afterward. Autumn was jazzed to hear the actor was a friend of Seth’s.

Autumn hugged them both. “Hey, you two. I was beginning to worry. Did you finish up with your client?”

“Yes, I did. So, no worries, we’re still on for the spa tomorrow.”

“Thank goodness. I have knots in places I didn’t know I had muscles.” Autumn laughed.

Channing looked around. “Everything looks awesome. And you were worried about throwing together something so quickly. I told you my family doesn’t care about décor as long as the food is good.”

“I figured that out when Bonnie held Bo Sr.’s surprise birthday party at the Bright Star.” She grinned. She’d been skeptical when she’d stepped into the watering hole and saw the sawdust on the floor, the mechanical bull in the corner, and the flashing neon sign that said “Cowboy Up or Go Home” behind the bar. It was hard to believe a family of billionaires spent all their spare time there. But when the party got into full swing and Bo Sr. asked her to line dance, she was hooked on country living. She’d droned on about what a good time she’d had until Summer and Cassidy took her to get a pair of cowboy boots and a hat.

“Has Bonnie cornered you yet?” Cassidy asked in a low tone.

“No. I think Teri-Lyn is running interference. Every time she heads my way, Teri-Lyn shoves a shrimp puff in her mouth.” Autumn bit her lip.

Channing smiled. “Bonnie can be a bit abrasive, but she means well.”

Bo and Summer had just finished chatting with J.J. and Sam while nibbling on appetizers and came over to join them.

“Autumn, thanks again for hosting the party. I know how busy you’ve been marketing the latest product rollout.” Bo put his arm around her and kissed her on the cheek.

“My pleasure. Anything for you two.”

“She’s been a dynamo at work,” Summer said. “I can barely keep up with her these days.”

Autumn laughed. “Nice change of pace, eh?”

“No, we both work hard but in different ways. That’s why we own a kick-ass gaming company.” Summer winked at her.

“Very true.” Autumn figured it was a good time to launch into bridal planner mode. “Just a heads-up. Mom has been all over me about the date for the engagement party. I told her I would see if I could get you to hammer out a date tonight. Think that’s possible?”

“Sure, we can get our schedules together and see what’s good for everyone.” Summer looked at Bo.

“Whatever date you decide on is fine by me.” Bo kissed Summer.

Channing patted Bo on the back. “You two are so sweet it’s sickening. It’s great to see.”

“So,” Autumn said, “I’ve been reading my wedding planner book and I think we should get a move on things. I have a list of caterers and some fabric swatches out on the dining room table. Maybe we can pin down the color scheme tonight and—”

“Whoa.” Summer put her hands on her shoulders. “Take a breath. I don’t want you to go crazy. I love what you’re doing, but we do have a company to run and you have a life too.”

“But you put me in charge.” She pouted.

“I know. I did that because when you are passionate about something you have a laser-like focus that frightens people,” Summer reminded her.

Before Autumn could reply, Teri-Lyn’s voice called out across the room. “Here are my happy kids.” Teri-Lyn approached and hugged the couple.

“There’s my favorite couple!” Bonnie, who was right behind Teri-Lyn, said loudly.

“Mom.” Bo gave her a look. “Corbett and Courtney are floating around here somewhere. You want to tamp it down?”

“Oh, they’re on the balcony talking to your father.” Bonnie patted his arm. “And it wouldn’t be a competition if Little Miss Control Freak didn’t want the wedding of the century. They would have been married by now. Who changes a wedding date twice?”

Autumn laughed to herself. It was no secret that Courtney was a domineering perfectionist. Autumn had made the mistake of smiling while introducing herself to the couple at a Blake shindig. Courtney watched her for the rest of the night like Autumn was going to slip Corbett her number. True, Corbett was a handsome guy who looked more like Bo than either brother cared to admit, but she knew he was off-limits. She had the feeling the second wedding date change was made to see if she could outdo Bo and Summer’s special moment.

Teri-Lyn put her arm around Bonnie. “I explained to your mama that it doesn’t matter if they reschedule. Weddings are an important event in a couple’s life. They just want it to be perfect.”

Bonnie looked at Bo and Summer, then gave Autumn a sideways glance. “So, how are things going?”

“J.J. is going to be my best man, and Autumn will be the matron of honor. That’s as far as we got.” Bo chuckled.

“Autumn, have you put together a plan? I was half expecting you to call me by now. I’ve been down the aisle a few times and—”

“Autumn, just say the word and Bonnie and I would be happy to help in any capacity you deem fit,” Teri-Lyn interrupted. “Or better yet, give my friend Jenna a call. She owns Marry Me Now bridal consultants. She helped me with Ty and C.J.’s double wedding.”

“We’re working with a tight timeframe,” Autumn said. “Isn’t it a bit late to call her if these two are getting married in eighteen months?” Autumn knew Bonnie was staring holes into her.

“Nonsense. I’ll give her a call tomorrow and tell her you’ll be getting in touch. She can help you streamline things and that way Bonnie can be involved in both her sons’ weddings without the all the headache. Right, Bonnie?”

“Sounds like a fine idea, Teri.” Bonnie clenched her jaw and sipped her champagne.

Autumn felt immediately relieved. Teri-Lyn had a way of defusing situations with ease. When Tate and Isabelle came over and joined the conversation, Autumn took the opportunity to get out of Bonnie’s line of sight and go mingle. She went over and said hello to Seth and Morgan, who were busy playing videos games with the kids. It was times like these she was thankful her place was a technology haven because it was easy to keep them busy. With three plasmas attached to the wall, Jake and the boys were content with NuWave’s latest kid-friendly game, while Seth held Mackenzie in his arms as he tried to whoop Tyler’s butt at his own racing game. Both Morgan and Michelle offered to take her, but the little lady didn’t want to leave the comfort of her dad’s arms. The winner of the game would be playing their father, John Jacob. Autumn couldn’t wait to see that. Morgan said John Jacob had been getting pretty good at his son’s video game and it wouldn’t be as easy to beat him as either son thought.

Satisfied they were having a good time, she headed to the bar for a refill of champagne and to see how college students Avery and Wyatt were doing.

“I could totally do that job.” Avery flipped her hair behind her shoulder.

“No, you can’t. You’re under age. If you can’t drink it, you can’t serve it,” Wyatt quipped.

“Hey. What’s this I hear about underage drinking?” Autumn cringed when every man in the room looked over at them. She cleared her throat. “Which is what we are
not
doing over here.”

“Princess here thinks she can be a bartender.” Wyatt rolled his eyes.

“I could if I wanted. All you have to do is mix drinks.”

“And remember the drink orders. You forgot to give me back the Intro to Psychology book you borrowed last week.”

“Like you were going to read it.” She huffed.

“Sounds like both of you should be on the debate team.” Autumn motioned for the bartender to get her a flute of champagne.

“Autumn, you look gorgeous, as usual.” Wyatt flashed her a big smile and kissed her on the cheek.

She adjusted his tie. “You clean up pretty good yourself, handsome. You look very dapper. Bo’s sense of style is wearing off on you.”

“Actually, Avery helped me put this together.” He blushed.

“She has good taste.” Autumn linked arms with Avery. “Avery, you look chic and pretty as usual. I would kill for those cheekbones. Doesn’t she look great, Wyatt?”

“She looks all right.”

Autumn bit back a smile as Avery scowled at him. Oh to be young and unaware that you’re in love. Hopefully the men in the room weren’t picking up on it. They were adamant that Avery should be studying, not dating, and least of all dating Wyatt.

“I think she looks fabulous.”

“If you say so.” Wyatt smiled at her again. He looked a little tipsy.

She raised an eyebrow. “That better be apple cider in your glass.”

“Of course it is. I just get this way when I’m around you.”

Avery rolled her eyes. “Where’s a shovel when you need one?”

“If you’ll excuse me, I have to put my name on the list for the racing challenge.” Wyatt hopped off the stool and went in the direction of the living room.

“You know he only compliments me when you’re around,” Autumn said to Avery.

“Really?” Avery smiled, then frowned. “Guys can be such jerks.”

“I hate to break it to you, but they don’t get any more mature with age. There are men my age that have more trouble expressing themselves than Wyatt.”

“Like that baseball player you just dumped?”

Autumn’s eyes widened. She’d thought her relationship with Ryan Boggs was pretty low-key considering they’d only dated for a few months. “Uh, yeah.”

“He looks like he’s stuck on himself.”

Leave it to a teenager to hit the nail on the head. Ryan was many things and he did have a very healthy ego. “He is his own biggest fan, but they’re not all like that. There are a few guys out there like your uncles. They are definitely diamonds in the rough.”

“They are pretty great.” Avery looked around the room. “Too bad you never met my Uncle Jared. He’s a sweetheart and not even remotely stuck on himself, despite how handsome he is. I think you would have liked him. I know you’re just his type.”

Teri-Lyn approached the bar and said, “Avery, honey, you’re preaching to the choir.”

Something caught Avery’s eye. Wyatt was chatting up Anna Beth, J.J.’s executive assistant. “Excuse me, ladies.” She headed toward him with her shoulders set and a scowl on her face.

Teri-Lyn asked the bartender for another glass of champagne and turned to give Autumn a knowing look. “See, I’m not the only one who thinks you and Jared would make a good match.”

“I know, everyone in the family thinks so too.” Autumn took a deep breath. “I want you to know you don’t have to worry about me once Summer’s married. I won’t be the spinster sister that lives with her and Bo. So you don’t have to find someone for me to date.”

“Is that why you think we’ve been trying so hard to get you and Jared together?”

“The thought had crossed my mind.” She’d been told he was gorgeous, successful, sensitive, and great with kids. The perfect man by all accounts. But if he were so wonderful, why was there a brigade of females trying to find him a woman?

“When I see two people who could be happy together, well I meddle and play cupid. I know you have no trouble finding dates. You are a beautiful young woman who’s smart and funny and charming. Jared’s handsome, respectable, successful, and sensitive. He’s the kind of man who would be careful with your heart. I think you could use some of that in your life. From what I read, that baseball player was an egomaniac who wants a pretty woman to drape on his arm as long as she keeps her mouth shut. And that’s definitely not you. I knew it wouldn’t last long.”

“How did you know about that?”

“I know everything.” Teri-Lyn gave her a warm smile.

“I don’t know if I’m ready to meet anyone else. Summer is the longest relationship I’ve ever had with another human being.” She bit her lip. She felt silly for saying it, but damn it, that’s how she felt.

“Thanks to you and Summer, I’ve been able to understand the connection between twins a little better and that’s helped me understand my grandsons. It’s a powerful connection that no one will ever be able to break. Bo can never replace you, and when you find the right person, you won’t be replacing Summer, you’ll just be ready for a different kind of happiness. I’m never wrong about these things. And I know my instincts are right about the two of you.”

Autumn raised an eyebrow. “And your instincts tell you the key to my happiness is a divorced architect from Philadelphia?”

“Don’t let the divorce thing scare you off. J.J. was divorced when he met Sam. He didn’t get it right with his first wife Eden, but it taught him about what he wanted and needed in a life partner. He found all of those things in Sam. I just want you to be happy too.”

“Thank you. You are the best.” Autumn hugged her. “I can see why Cassidy loves her mother-in-law so much.”

“You’re very welcome.”

“I’m going to call Jenna tomorrow. I could use the help planning the wedding.”

“Good. Don’t worry, I will make sure Bonnie doesn’t turn into an obnoxious mother of the groom. She’s making up for lost mothering time with Bo. She just needs some parameters to work within and she’ll be fine.”

It was comforting that Teri-Lyn understood about her connection to Summer and how it was affecting her. She felt a little sad that it wasn’t just the two of them anymore. As Bo Sr. asked everyone to gather so he could toast the couple, Autumn slid in next to Summer and squeezed her hand. She was happy her sister had found a great guy. It made her hopeful that one day she’d also find someone who was perfect for her. But for now there were more important things to be done. She had a multimillion-dollar company to run and the wedding of the century to plan.