Page 40 of Beach Bum Billion-Heiress
18
Three months later...
Sage
I was getting ready at Jax' place, which was actually nowourplace, now that I'd given up my rental house. With our crazy work schedules it just didn't make sense to have two places. Though the quarters were tight, it was a cozy space. Jax was the best roommate, not blinking an eye when I walked in with boxes of home decor to spruce up the place and make it feel like my own. I didn't tell him how much everything cost, and he didn't ask. The perfect arrangement.
Speaking of money, he had yet to agree to my constant ideas on how to improve The Surf Shack, though I had noticed him implementing some of my more affordable ideas on his own. He hasn't taken a dime from me, which both irritated me and made my heart swell with admiration. I'd been searching for people in my life who were there for me, not my potential inheritance, and now I'd finally found him.
Well,them, actually. I can't forget my Beach Squad girls. Literally. I couldn't turn around without one of them up in my business. Which was bitchin', I just wasn't used to having people around me that actually cared about my life. It was taking some getting used to, but I was loving it. I'd never had siblings, but now that I had a whole slew of sisters, I realized what I missed out on growing up.
But I couldn't think of all that right now or I'd tear up. And I'd done a bang-up job on my makeup today in preparation for my big day.
That's right. I did it. I built my restaurant.
This dream-made-reality had been my sole focus for months now, not because of my father's ultimatum, but because I'd become fully invested in this venture. I'd discovered a natural love for rehabilitating businesses. If I may say so myself, I had a keen eye for seeing what needed to be done to turn a struggling business around. And I so happened to have the money needed to invest in my ideas. At least for now.
That's why tonight, the soft opening for Stem2Stern, meant the world to me. It was my first project and I fucking killed it. Seriously. The restaurant was gorgeous inside and out. The head chef I hired from Seattle for an ungodly amount of money was just as jazzed as I was about our dishes. Didn't hurt that he was a sight for sore eyes. Not that I was looking. But hello, I have eyes! The staff was perfection with their impeccable training under my head manager. I even created a subtle nod of respect to Jax' father and his contributions to the HB community by incorporating his last name in the restaurant's nautical name. Plus it earned me a particularly unforgettable night when I unveiled the name to Jax.
A few months together had done nothing to cool the flames between us. I barked out orders during the day to my construction crew and happily let Jax dominate me at night in his bed. Or out on his porch. Or on his boat that one day. Something about the contrast, total control versus almost no control, got me from zero to sixty in a second flat. We hadn't said those three little words to each other yet, but I honestly didn't need to hear it. I knew how I felt about him deep in my soul, the same way I knew Huntington Beach was my home the minute I breathed in the salty air.
Now I just had to impress my father enough that he'd give me his blessing. He was the final piece in putting my life together exactly as I wanted it. Tonight was make it or break it as far as my trust fund and inheritance was concerned.
No pressure.
"Hey, rich bitch, you home?" Bailey's voice called to me through the front door loud and clear.
I rolled my eyes with a smile on my face.
"Forget how to use a fucking door?" I yelled back, not bothering to get up and let her in. She called me a bitch. She could let herself in.
I heard the door open and slam shut before the tornado known as Bailey walked into the flat.
"I got your dress and shoes right here. Plus Jax' new suit and tie. Don't know why he needs a new one, he just bought one a few months ago. How many fancy suits does a lifeguard need? I mean, swim suits, I can understand. But a suit and tie?" Bailey was huffing and puffing, laying out outfits on the bed as she ran her mouth.
Something about her comment struck me as odd. When had Jax needed a suit? I'd never seen him in one. Maybe she was mistaken and meant he'd bought one awhile back, before I moved to HB. I, for one, was looking forward to my handsome lifeguard spiffed up and in a monkey suit for once.
"Jax'll be back shortly. He just called me when he got back to the station after his shift. In the meantime, will you help me with the dress?" I may have a lot of money at my disposal, but fancy cocktail dresses weren't really my thing. They were totally Bailey's thing, which is why I'd enlisted her help for this evening. At past corporate events, I'd purposely dressed in my normal bohemian manner, claiming I wanted comfort, but really just wanting to piss off my father.
It scraped against every fiber of my being to admit I not only wanted my trust fund, but I wanted my father's approval. I'd promised myself that this was my one last shot at it. The pit in my stomach formed at the thought of being disregarded yet again, but I couldn't keep giving him opportunities to hurt me.
I was dressing appropriately for the first time, yes, for approval, and also because this restaurant mattered to me. Maybe the first business deal ever to really matter to me. I think I'd found my calling.
Slipping on the dress Bailey found for me, I was surprised to feel content at the image staring back at me in the mirror instead of feeling like a noose was being tightened around my neck at the first touch of corporate wear. Probably helped that Bailey had found a killer dress that skirted the line of business formal and shabby chic. Plus the fact that it was a bright turquoise blue made me feel like I'd be a spot of happy color in a sea of dark, boring suit jackets.
"Damn, girlie, that dress was made for you! Jax won't know what hit him when he sees you. Good thing your father will be there to kill any sexy time vibes and keep you kids in line." Bailey cackled, tickled at the thought of my gruff father giving Jax the hairy eyeball. The Beach Squad had heard all about my father and had promised to attend the soft opening to be my emotional backup.
A huge surge of emotion washed over me and made my eyes well up. Pulling Bailey into a bear hug, I whispered, "Thank you for being the best friend a girl could ask for." I felt her squeeze me back for a quick moment before she pulled away and clapped her hands, rushing to put everything away. She wasn't quick enough though and I saw her eyes suspiciously wet.
I seemed to have no problem showing emotion to those I trusted. On the other end of the spectrum was Bailey. She was one tough girl, but since I'd gotten to know her, I'd come to realize she was a sweet, soft marshmallow inside. It had become my mission since then to hit her straight in the heart as many times as I could. She still loved me. I was pretty sure.
Just as we got all her stuff packed up, we heard Jax downstairs talking to Jonny before he made his way up to the apartment.
"That's my cue to leave you lovebirds." Bailey punched me in the arm and I grabbed her up in another hug before she could escape me.
"Ugh..." Bailey gave me her signature eye roll before untangling from me and leaving, but it came with a grin.
I slipped on my heels, giving myself another glance in the mirror, working on my confident, businesswoman face, imagining my scowling father sitting in front of me.
