Page 5 of Until I Find You

I’m nearly thirty and all of that still feels so out of reach. I know I have time, but when everyone around me is falling in love, I can’t help but feel I’m falling behind.

However, if I have to be alone, shouldn’t I at least have something going for me? Something that makes me happy?

I look at my friend. He cares, actually cares. As I know they all do. “I’ve thought about scoping out a coffee plantation in Kona.”

“That’s where your mom’s from, right?”

My jaw tightens. “Yeah.”

My mom is a native Hawaiian and moved back there from New York after I turned eighteen to bring up hernew and improvedfamily there.

“No wonder you love coffee. It’s in your blood!”

I shrug and try to smile. “Yeah, I mean, it’d be cool to have a plantation, roastery, and then some stores. One here in New York. Maybe one on the Big Island.”

“I knew you already had your next steps sorted out.”

“Pipe dreams and next steps are vastly different.”

“What about it is so unrealistic? You have the money and even if you didn’t, your dad would give it to you, no questions asked.”

Being the son of a billionaire has its advantages, yes. But I don’t want things just handed to me. Besides… “He’d think it was silly.”

Seth furrows his brow. “No, he wouldn’t. He loves you, Jack.”

I haven’t felt that love lately. I know that as we grow older, the love we share with our parents changes and shifts. But Dad’s about to have his perfect family, done the “right” way. Nothing accidental about it. Nate, Abigail, and I are just totems of the man he used to be. Even if he used to love my mom at one point.

“Besides, he runs anightclub.”

I can’t help but laugh at that. “Ifthat’swhat you want to call the Lyons Club, sure.”

Seth knocks his knuckle against the counter a few times. “Tell you what. You get your plans together. Your wildest dreams. And I’ll set you up with a team. Okay?”

“Seth, that’s–”

He holds up his hand, palm facing me. “Don’t argue, Jack. It’s done. The barrier to entry is going to be nil. I’ll get you a team for finance, marketing, etcetera. I’ll even get you an assistant.”

“Seriously?”

“Why do you say that like it’s a surprise?”

I shrug. “I just…that you would do that for me means a lot. You’re a busy guy. I–”

“Jack, you’re not going to talk me out of this.” He sticks out his hand across the island toward me. “It’s done.”

I take my friend’s hand, a smile blooming across my face. We shake on it.

I might not fully buy into my own dream yet, but Seth does, and he is robbing me of any excuses.

Now I have no choice but to go for it. Well, fuck.

2

CAMILLA

“It sayswalk!”someone yells in my ear as they pass me.

I look at the street corner light, a drink carrier in one hand and my personal phone in the other and, sure enough, the light has changed to the walk sign.

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