Autumn felt her body stiffen at the question. But she felt Quinn give her knee a reassuring squeeze and allowed herself to relax into the touch.
“I’ve spent years wanting to open my own place. I’ve worked just about every job there is when it comes to bars. I’ve been a hostess, a server, I’ve made drinks, been a line cook, I was even a manager for a time in Vegas. So I’m familiar with this world. Owning a bar is about the only thing I haven’t done,” Quinn laughed. Autumn was surprised when her parents laughed too.
“You know that’s a very smart approach. You’ve learned everything from the inside out,” James said with a smile.
Autumn’s heart almost stopped beating. Was Quinn charming her parents? How was this even possible? It had never occured to Autumn that her parents could be charmed. Yet here they were enthralled by Quinn. The sight eased the tension in Autumn’s chest.
“Honey, tell us about your next big project,” James asked, his question was clearly directed towards Autumn. Autumn felt herself freeze.
“I’ve talked to a few prospects but I don’t have any projects set in stone right now,” Autumn smiled wide. She tried to ignore her Father’s disapproving look.
“What have we told you? Don’t end a project without having something else lined up,” Moira scolded though her tone was calm.
Autumn felt like she was ten years old and bringing home a less than perfect report card. Quinn gave her knee another squeeze but even that did little to bring her comfort.
“I like taking a couple weeks between projects to recalibrate my brain. It also gives me an opportunity to fully prospect for new clients,” Autumn smiled. She hoped that this would be enough of an answer for her parents.
“But wouldn’t it feel better to know you have something already lined up? That way you can seamlessly transition from one project to another.” James offered.
Autumn could feel herself shutting down. Her answers weren’t going to matter. Quinn squeezed her leg and met her eyes. Autumn stared deep into Quinn’s warm brown eyes and somehow knew the right response.
“I know that you value business success over most things. And I completely understand. I guess I’m just learning to define success a bit differently from the two of you. I’m aware that I’m in the beginning of my career and so I need to put in the time to build it. But I also don’t want to suffer the same burnouts that I’ve watched the two of you go through. I value having a balance between my work life and personal life. With this last project I seem to have made a name for myself. I’ve had several businesses reaching out. I’m not completely taking a break from work. I’m going over all the files of from places that are wanting to hire me. I’m seeing which projects interest me, where I’m going to be a good fit. I also wanted to give myself some time to enjoy a visit with the two of you. Next week I’ll start making phone calls to the businesses and prioritze which projects I want to take on first.”
Autumn watched as the hard lines on her Father’s face softened. Her Mother smiled widely. Quinn rubbed her knee softly.
“That’s a really good point, honey. Heaven knows your Father and I have had plennty of times when we almost ran ourselves ragged,” Moira offered.
“It’s true. Your Mother has even convinced me that we need to take more time off work. Especially now that we’re so close to retirement,” James smiled.
Had that actually happened? All these years Autumn had been falling all over herself trying to please her parents.Desperately attempting to do things their way. All she had needed to do was stand up for herself and argue her point. Autumn had to keep herself from laughing out loud. All these years and she’d just learned something new about her parents. They did respect her. They weren’t overly sentimental people but they certainly did care about her. Autumn decided to lean in, pressing her luck slightly more.
“I think that’s a great idea. I hope that the two of you will be able to come visit me more often. Maybe if you come for longer I can even show you more of what WaterColor has to offer.”
“We would love that,” Moira said with a wide smile.
“I agree. It would be nice to get to know you better now that you’re an adult,” James chuckled.
Autumn felt her heart opening to her parents. Her heart warmed causing her to tear up ever so slightly. She’d spent so much time dreading this dinner but tonight had offered her so much opportunity for growth. She had never imagined having the opportunity to experience getting to know her parents in a new way. Autumn was sure that she’d remember this night for as long as she lived.
Her parents hugged Quinn goodbye when it was time to leave. Autumn locked eyes with Quinn and felt the sizzle between them growing. She forced herself to make the goodbye hug between them a short one.
“Meet me at my place in an hour,” Autumn practically demanded.
Quinn pulled away from their embrace her warm eyes dancing in the lights of the bar. There was a tinge of uncertainty behind her eyes.
“I made a promise to you this morning that I need to fulfill,” Autumn whispered. Quinn’s eyebrows practically shot to her hairline but she smiled at Autumn.
Once inside the car her Father cleared his throat.
“You should keep that one around for a while. Quinn seems like good people,” James said as he fastened his seatbelt.
The words were simple, but coming from her Father this was the highest of compliments.
“I think so too, sweetie. Quinn really seems like she has a good head on her shoulders,” Moira chimed in.
“Thank you for saying that. I think Quinn and I fit well together,” Autumn smiled.
“You know, we don’t say this enough, but we’re so proud of you. You have built quite a life for yourself here in WaterColor,” Moira added.
