“Dad wants me to take over full operations. He wants to travel and move toward retirement. I think I’m ready, but the business is built on his name. There’s a chance I’ll run this shit in the ground,” Austin admits, filling his glass back up and taking a large gulp.
This is news to me, but not surprising. “Impossible. You are the only one who can keep the legacy alive. You learned under the best. He’s not stepping away; he’s giving you your shot to make it. I fully support this, and I’m not invested in the ins and outs, but you always have me. I’ll do whatever it takes if you need me.”
“I’m here, too, brother. I may have chosen a different career path, but it doesn’t mean our legacy doesn’t matter. You need me, I’m there,” Andrew adds.
“Thanks.” He toasts his glass, indicating it’s someone else’s turn.
“I think I want to make some changes in my life and my business.” Andrew sounds like I’ve never heard. “Consulting is great, and all the years I’ve poured myself into building my reputation have been satisfying. But now, I think there’s something else out there.”
“Any idea what you want to do?”
“I’m considering a change of scenery. Maybe relocation.”
“But you love Atlanta.” The thought of Andrew leaving Atlanta is unheard of.
“Thirty-seven years old and never lived anywhere else. The sun, sand, and surf sound good.”
“You forgot the important ‘S’.” Austin doesn’t seem surprised at all. I’m too busy looking between them to pick up on the clue at first. Then it hits me.
“What’s the important ‘S’?” My heart hammers double time, pounding against my ribcage, hoping like hell I know the answer.
“Sister.” He smirks. “I want to be near the sun, sand, surf, and my sister.”
“Oh God, does this mean…? Are you…?” I stammer over the words, not believing them.
“Yeah, Ash, I think I’m coming to Charleston.”
I swallow down a little cry, covering my mouth. “Really?”
He nods, his eyes lighting as he takes a drink. “You aren’t the only one that gets to make life changes.”
I stare at the tree and feel it coming, helpless to stop the emotions as tears spillover.
“Not exactly the reaction I was hoping for.”
“I didn’t think it was possible. Considering how my year started, and everything that’s happened, but this has been the perfect Christmas. And you somehow made it even better.”
“Damn, I thought I had it in the bag with my present,” Andrew jokes.
“Maybe we’ll get you here next.” I bump his shoulder.
“I just told you I was taking over operations for Dad. Unless he plans on expanding, that’ll be tough.”
I suck in a breath, the idea hanging in the air. “Maybe…”
“Let’s take one step at a time. Your turn.”
I swipe my cheeks and hug my knees to my chest. “I’m looking forward to discovering my new normal, whatever that may be. Finding a job I’m passionate about, being at home at night to cook dinner while Miller and I talk about our days. Watching Devin grow up and celebrating the little things in life that passed by all these years. Taking a step back, slowing down, speeding up, whatever I want to do, I can.”
“Cheers to that.” Andrew raises his glass in salute, and we do the same.
“It may be too soon to bring it up, but this would be a great place for you to rent until you decide what your future holds. We’d have to talk to Miller and let him know.”
“I have a feeling he knows.” His eyes cut over his shoulder, and I follow them.
Miller is leaning against the wall, arms and legs crossed, in only his flannel bottoms. He grins sending my insides fluttering.
“Hey.”
“Woke up and figured I’d find you by the tree.”
“Want to join us, man?” Austin holds up the bottle.
“No thanks, I was checking to make sure she was okay.”
“I’m perfect.”
Even in the dim light, I see his eyes soften. “Yes, you are.”
Chapter 27
Miller
Her time is up.
I switch off the shower, wrap a towel around my waist, and take off to find Ashlyn.
Tonight is officially our first night in the house, and being it’s New Year’s Eve, I have plans. Plans that included her in the shower with me.
She’s standing in the middle of the dining room, staring ahead and twirling the diamond pendant around her neck that I gave her for Christmas. Her mind is a million miles away, not noticing my approach until my arms are around her waist, tugging her back to me.
“You’re wet.” She rests her arms on mine. “I was coming to join you.”
“Princess, I’ve been waiting fifteen minutes.”
“Really?” She slants her head enough to look at me. “I must have lost track of time.”
“You okay?”
“Absolutely.”
“You upset about your family leaving?”
“Not at all, everyone has their own plans tonight.”
“Then what’s on your mind?”
“Today, tonight, New Year’s Eve, closing out this crazy year, yet knowing that I will wake up to a new year with you.”