Yet, since she’d kicked the hangover last week, and then spoke to the owners, she’d felt a fire in the pit of her belly that hadn’t been there for years. Excitement mixed with trepidation, but more than anything, she felt alive. Ready to start this new life everybody kept talking about.
“Here, take a look at it,” Autumn said, passing her phone to Lydia. She’d spent the last week researching the area, talking to her lawyer, and making plans. The pier was situated in a small beach town on the Pacific Coast, around a two hour drive from Los Angeles. And it had recently benefited from a lot of investment, including a new resort being built less than a mile to the north.
The pier itself was a little run down, but with the cash injection and a good business plan she knew she could make it profitable.
“And you’re moving there?”
“That’s the plan. Until I get it up and running, at least. Then I’ll bring in a manager.” Another thing it had going for it. Twenty-eight hundred miles away from Manhattan. And since she’d spent the last week either bumping into Josh, or mutual friends who’d decided to be on his side, moving seemed like a good thing right now.
“I’m late,” their dad said, breezing into the restaurant. He didn’t look the least bit sorry about it. People turned to stare as he made his way to their table, his hair perfectly coiffed, his suit expertly tailored. He’d always been the kind of man to turn heads. “Just ice water and a salad for me,” he said to the waiter before he even sat down. “And can you bring it out quickly? I have another meeting in half an hour.”
Lydia’s eyes met Autumn’s, and she bit down a smile. “I guess we should order, too,” she said. “And since there isn’t much time, Autumn has something to tell you.”
“She does?” He frowned. “Is it about Josh?”
Lydia kicked Autumn under the table. “No, it’s not about Josh,” she said, grinning.
“Then what is it?”
Autumn r
an the tip of her tongue along her dry lips, then took a deep breath in. “The thing is, Dad, I’ve decided to buy a pier.”
It took a full thirty seconds for him to regain his composure. Not that she’d ever expected anything less. Richard Paxton was way too controlled to shout or make a scene.
“I’m sorry?” he said slowly. “Can you repeat that?”
“She said she bought a pier.” Lydia couldn’t hide her exasperation. “In California. Isn’t that great?”
He ignored his younger daughter, training his eyes on Autumn. “You can’t be serious.”
Autumn slipped her hands beneath the table and adjusted her napkin, rubbing the expensive linen between her fingers. “I’ve already signed the contract and arranged for the money to be wired. There’s no pulling out.”
“Have you looked at the projected income? At the zoning regulations? How long has it been on the market? Let me call my lawyer and get you out of the contract. I have a list as long as your arm on potential investments around here. Why would you buy a pier in California?”
She thought about telling him the truth. That she’d done it when falling down drunk. But that would only make him even angrier.
“I wanted a fresh start,” she told him. “Away from New York and Josh and everything that’s happened here. Angel Sands is a beautiful little town.” She brought another website up on her phone. “Here, look at it. Doesn’t it look pretty?” she asked, shoving the phone beneath his nose.
“It looks about three thousand miles away.” He pushed the phone away. “This isn’t like you. Was it your idea?” he asked, turning to Lydia with an accusing stare.
“It has nothing to do with me.” Lydia held her hands up.
Autumn felt herself bristle at his insinuation. “I came up with the idea on my own and I’m glad I did,” she told him. “It has a lot of potential.”
“It’s a pier,” he said, his nostrils flaring. “It’s a bit different than the office buildings you’re used to managing. Send the contract over to me and I’ll take a look. I’m sure we can get you out of this.”
“I don’t want to get out of it,” Autumn told him, her voice sure. She could see Lydia’s amused smile from the corner of her eye. “And I don’t need your help with it. I just wanted you to know before I go.”
“You’re going soon?” he blinked. “To California?”
“Yes,” she said patiently. “That’s the plan.”
“But it’s thousands of miles away. Your home is here.” He almost looked panicked. “With us. Your family.”
“Take a chill pill, Dad,” Lydia said. “She’s moving to California, not Siberia. And it’s only until she has the pier up and running. It’s good for her. Look how excited she is.”
“But you’re coming back, right?” He trained his eyes on Autumn’s.