“So why are you trying to get rid of me, old man?” I tease.
“I’m not. I want you to see what you have at your disposal. You’ve helped me build the business into something I couldn’t have dreamed up on my own. You’ve built up incredible knowledge and managed to make some good coin along the way. You could do anything you want and if that means you stay and run this business, then I’ll be thrilled. To have all my kids run this when I’m ready to retire is incredible, but, pumpkin…” He taps my knee with his foot to pull my eyes up to his. “You running Riggs was never my dream, kiddo. My dream for you and your brothers has always been to find what makes your heart beat faster and to go for it. If you tell me that running it, that it’s your dream, then I’ll support it, but you and I both know that designing those clothes and accessories is where your heart lies. And if you put your head into it, then you might just discover what I did all those years ago.”
I smile at my dad, waiting for what I already know he’s going to say. “What’s that, Daddy?”
“Building something on your own from nothing is humbling. You’ve got it in you, Everly. Out of all of us, you’re the strongest. Smarter than all of us and a hell of a lot more creative.”
I sit with what he’s said for a few minutes without saying anything in response. My dad could always hurdle wisdom in a way that leaves me questioning my entire life. “Why tell Jin about the apparel line?”
“I didn’t. He figured it out on his own. I’m not quite sure how, but he’s smart and has great gut instincts. He came to me out of respect for our friendship and business relationship before he approached you. You know you don’t need an investor. If you didn’t want to sink your savings or trust into it, then I’d back you silently if you wanted.”
My head is spinning a little here; my dad is good at that. Turning my anger into logical thoughts. I wouldn’t even know where to begin unraveling myself from Riggs Outdoor, telling my brothers I’m leaving, and then starting up on my own. And that’s when it happens. A twinge of excitement hits me.
“I see you working this out in your head.”
I just look up at the star-filled sky. “Daddy, how would I even do this?”
“One step at a time.”
“I don’t want to leave Strutt’s.”
“I don’t want you to either. But, kiddo, the world is easier now. You could be here when you wanted, then wherever you needed to be, with a quick flight. Hell, most of the world works from home now, so life is malleable. Bend it to make it work for you.”
We sit together in silence for a while. Listening to the breeze and the firepit crackle. And I know that I can’t just abandon this idea. It’s already started to take shape. In a matter of two conversations throughout just a handful of hours. And just like that, my world is about to change.
“Now, tell me more about Jack Deacon.”
“No way are you moving into that topic so easily.” I laugh.
Grabbing the bottle of aged bourbon, he teases, “I know you like that man. He’s a good one too, I can tell.”
“There’s not much to tell, Daddy.” He quirks a brow my way, knowing I’m totally full of shit.
“You sure about that?” he asks.
“Jack is…” I pause and try to choose my words because I could say so much, but why give my father a false hope for a happily ever after. “Jack is complicated. Smart. Obviously very good-looking, but he’s also really sweet. And a good handful of other things, but the most important one is that he’s leaving. He’s only here until after the New Year. He goes back to his life in Manhattan, and that’s it.”
My father resumes his stoic glare as he sips his drink. He makes a harrumph sound, which usually means he's going to give his opinion, even though I really, really don’t want it.
“What, Daddy? Out with it.”
“Pumpkin, the fact that the biggest issue you have is that he’s not going to be around here for too long is reason enough to see where it goes. I’ve never liked any of the idiots you’ve dated. Even Jin. Smart businessman, but kind of an asshole otherwise.”
I laugh, spitting some of my drink out with it. Of course, he knows about Jin.Damn small towns.
“And the fact that your life might be looking a little different and less permanent here soon too seems like a good reason to mingle with other not-so-permanent things. Take it from your old man. I’ve let the love of my life believe that there were more important things. The secret is, there isn’t much that’s more important than figuring it out together. Sometimes it works out and sometimes you discover it wasn’t right, but, pumpkin, you have to let yourself try.”