Chapter 21

CHAPTER 21

LUNA

I couldn't believe I was home and renovating the beach cottage. Everything happened so fast because the owner was eager to sell, and I had my financial information ready to go. Thankfully the owner agreed to let me rent the home until settlement.

I signed the paperwork, got the keys for the house, and decided to film my initial walk-through of my new house. It had generated a ton of interest online.

I was still working for Dad, but I hoped I could slow down or work from home so I could focus on the house. Dad wasn't going to get the message about me leaving if I didn't make some serious changes. But those would have to come after the holidays.

My focus was the beach house, my social media presence, and contacting the few clients I'd picked up from my family's construction business.

I hoped excitement generated through online videos about my progress on the beach house would naturally increase clientele.

I'd already posted videos about the cabin renovation, and one with me walking through the beach house, showcasing the before images, and talking about my ideas for the renovation. There were so many renovation shows and videos online. I hoped that my ideas were unique enough for people to be interested in watching.

I loved documenting my journey. My followers were growing, and they seemed intrigued that I couldn't decide whether to sell or keep the house for myself. The more vulnerable I was, the more interested they were.

I was a natural at this, and for so long I worried it would be hard, or I wouldn't want to be on video. But it was fun and easy.

I loved making plans for the house, and I couldn't wait to create my vision. The more time I spent in it, the more I wanted this house to be mine. But I couldn't make money if I held onto every house I flipped.

I needed to generate a profit. I had plenty of time to think about it. I'd planned for four to six weeks’ worth of work before I could consider putting it on the market. I was also looking into getting a real estate license so I could be more in control.

I was excited about the future. I wasn't stuck working for my family. I had so much more to focus on. I wasn't worried that I could easily run into my cheating ex or that Axel had let me walk away from him so easily.

I wished that Axel would have asked me to stay. It didn't fit with my plans, and I had no idea how a long-distance relationship would work.

He never said his feelings changed for me, even though I felt it when we made love. There was something there, and it couldn't be just one-sided.

He also hadn't reached out much since I'd been back. There was no how are you doing? or I miss you. There was only the message on my social media page congratulating me on the house. But that was a text that anyone could have sent. It wasn't personal.

Any time I remembered that my phone had been silent, I refocused on the house and what I could do now to get started. There was wallpaper to remove so I rented a steamer and watched videos.

It was hot and sweaty work, but I was making progress. With the holidays, I wouldn't be able to hire any contractors or get to the store to pick up supplies. This was one thing I could do.

I think the video of me figuring out how I was going to remove the wallpaper resonated with people because so many decide to tackle this project on their own.

When I took breaks, I went out on the small, enclosed lanai on the back of the house and wished I could afford a pool. I'd given anything to jump into it after a long day.

It was late on Christmas Eve when there was a knock on the front door. My heart surged that it was Axel. He'd gotten on a plane, unable to live without me, and couldn't wait to tell me how he felt. That he loved me and shouldn't have let me go.

I crossed the floor to the front door in record time and pulled it open. Frowning, I said, “Dad. Cooper. What are you doing here?”

I pushed open the door wider.

“I heard you'd bought a house,” Dad said.

I shrugged even as my shoulders tightened. “It's not for me. I'm renovating it and hoping to sell it.”

Dad grunted as he stepped inside.

I smacked Cooper as he walked past me.

When Dad was busy examining the wallpaper in the living room, I mouthed to Cooper, “What the hell?”

He shrugged. “He wanted to know where you were.”

“I told you I was settling in after my trip,” I reminded Dad.

“We always get together as a family on Christmas Eve.”

“I wanted to make the place livable while I was here.” So far I'd bought an air mattress and was using various boxes as tables. I'd begun to move my kitchen items from the apartment to here, but that was it. I was more interested in getting started on the walls.

“By taking the wallpaper down?” Dad asked over his shoulder with a dubious look.

“It seemed like a good idea at the time,” I said, the familiar uncertainty creeping in.

Dad looked around, setting my nerves on edge. “Cooper told me he walked through the place for you.”

“He was nice enough to do that.” He'd told me the place was structurally sound, and that the previous owners had taken care of it. So the roof and HVAC unit was on the newer side.

“Why didn't you come to me?” Dad asked as he turned and placed his hands on his hips.

My forehead creased. “You would have tried to talk me out of it.”

“You can lose a lot of money when you flip houses. Get in over your head.” His hands rested on his hips as he studied the meager progress I'd made on the layers of wallpaper.

“I didn't want anyone else to influence my decision. This is my dream, and I love this house. I knew Cooper would remain objective when he toured the place.” Cooper was the one of us who got into the most trouble growing up. He knew how to keep a secret. If Dad had found out he would have discouraged Cooper from helping me.

“Have you written out a business plan, complete with expenses?” He continued without waiting for an answer. “You're still going to be paying the mortgage on this place while you do the work. Then you have to find a buyer.”

“I know how it works, Dad. I've done my research, and I'm going to get a real estate license. I've already gotten a following on social media. People are interested in what I'm doing here.” It was in the back of my mind that I could increase awareness for Sanibel and draw in more tourists, and possibly buyers.

Dad waved a dismissive hand. “Social media is not business.”

I gave Cooper an incredulous look. “It is these days. First there were the fixer-upper TV shows. Then it moved online. Anyone can showcase their work and get a following.”

Dad's brow furrowed. “It doesn't mean it will increase business or revenue.”

“It can't hurt. And it's free advertising. But more importantly, I'm enjoying it. I want to do this.” I moved closer to Dad. “I've wanted to learn the construction-side for years. But you didn't want to teach me.”

“I didn't need anyone else in the business.”

“It's not about that. I'm your daughter, and I wanted you to teach me.” I pulled out my phone. “When I was out of town, I helped a neighbor renovate his cabin. I came up with the design, plan and ordered the materials. Then I helped him do the work.”

“How did you manage that?” Dad asked as I scrolled through the images of our progress.

“Axel had some skills, but we watched videos. We learned on site. I enjoyed it. I felt good about my work.”

“You don't want to help the family?” Dad asked, the hurt evident in his tone.

I lowered my phone. “It's not that. I want to help the family but not in the office. It's not challenging, especially since I can't offer design services. Customers ask for it, and I have to send them elsewhere. Why do that when I could offer it to them?” I held up a hand to stop him from interjecting. “I want to do something else, and if you're not going to let me do that in the business, then I have to go out on my own. I have to do this, and I don't want you intervening or dropping in to criticize my work.” I couldn't take the constant put-downs or digs that I didn't know what I was doing. “I'm confident that I can do this, and that's all that matters.”

Dad's expression fell. “I'm sorry I didn't encourage your interest. It's just you have six older brothers who were already in the business.”

I touched his arm. “I understand. But I've been denying a huge part of myself for years, burying myself in that office. I finally feel like I'm doing what I want to do. I'm excited for the future. But I won't know if I'll succeed without trying.”

“I never meant to hurt you.” Dad's expression was pained.

I wondered if our relationship would survive this. “Maybe not, but you did just the same.”

Dad was quiet for a beat before he nodded. “I'm happy you're home, and we'd like to see you tomorrow for Christmas dinner.”

I smiled. “I'll be there.”

Dad moved toward the door and hesitated next to Cooper. “Let me know if you need anything.”

It would be so easy to take him up on that, to use one of my brothers as a contractor. “I need to do this on my own.”

Dad's expression morphed from concern into respect. “I'm only a call away if you have questions.”

“I appreciate that.” I moved toward the door, holding it while they stepped onto the porch.

“This is a good investment. It should sell quickly, and whoever bought the place wouldn't have been able to get on our schedule for months.”

My throat tightened with emotion. “That's why what I'm doing is necessary. I saw a need and sought to fill it.”

Dad looked down the street before turning his attention to me. “Like all good entrepreneurs. I'm proud of you, Luna.”

“Thanks, Dad. That means a lot.” I didn't need his approval, but it was nice to get it.

“Enjoy your evening.” Then he was walking toward his truck parked at the curb.

Cooper winked at me. “Good job going out on your own, sis. I know you don't want my help, but if you get stuck, I'm happy to help.”

I hugged him. “Thanks, Coop.” When his arms came around me, I looked up at him. “You were always my favorite.”

He chuckled, his chest shaking under my cheek. “You say that to whichever brother is giving you what you want.”

“With six brothers, I had to do something to get attention.” I loved pitting my brothers against each other, and it was easy enough; they were competitive to their core.

“You did good. I can't wait to see the finished project.”

I stepped back and gazed at the house. “You think I can do it?”

“I saw the pictures of the cabin. Your choices were solid, and the work looks great. Tile can be tough.”

“I had Axel helping me. He'd worked with his buddy tiling before.” Whether I could do an entire project myself remained to be seen. But I'd researched various contractors in case I got into a bind.

Cooper frowned. “Do I need to be worried about this guy, Axel?”

I shook my head. “ I helped him renovate his cabin. That was all.”

“And Rex is a thing of the past?” Cooper asked hopefully.

“I barely think about him at all.” That was the point of my trip. The reason I moved on so quickly was Axel, but Cooper didn't need to know that.

Cooper gave me a look. “I think there's more to Axel than you're letting on, but I'll respect your privacy.”

“I appreciate that.” Something my mom instilled in him when we were younger was that I was to be respected and given privacy. It was no small feat with six brothers and only one bathroom between us.

When I was a teenager, Dad added a second bathroom for just me. He'd done special things for me. The things he could do. I wasn't destined to work in the family's construction business. My work was needed on the houses they couldn't get to.

Cooper waved a hand at the house. “When Hudson gets wind of this, he'll probably stop by and give his opinion.”

My lips pressed into a straight line. “Which I don't need.”

Cooper winked at me. “When has that ever stopped Huds?”

“Never,” I said with a smile.

He tipped his head in my direction. “Merry Christmas, little sister.”

“Merry Christmas.” It was then I realized I'd left my holiday lights in Maryland. But I had some at the apartment. I'd stay up late decorating the porch. That would give me something I could do. I'd continue working on the wallpaper in the morning.

I drove to my apartment still in my work clothes of a T-shirt and leggings. It was a nice night, but I was sweaty from holding the wallpaper machine above my head.

When I got to the apartment, someone was sitting on the steps in front of my door.

Rex stood as I approached.

“What are you doing here?” I just wanted to grab my lights and get back to my house. The novelty of it hadn't worn off.

He shoved his hands in his pockets. “I wanted to apologize.”

I laughed without any humor. “Apology accepted. Now I have work to do.”

I unlocked the door and pushed inside, knowing my boxes of lights were in the hall closet. I got them out, stacking them on top of each other.

“I thought we could talk,” Rex said tentatively from where he stood in the doorway.

I frowned, then grabbed two of the boxes to carry outside to my car. “I thought we just did.” I set them on the ground then opened the trunk, noting that I'd need to get a truck.

“I heard you bought a house.”

“Yeah, I'm renovating it,” I said absentmindedly as I put the boxes in the trunk, then walked inside to get more.

Unfortunately, Rex followed me. “You've always wanted to flip a place.”

“Yup.” I let the P pop, wondering why he was still hanging around. When I got the last of the boxes inside the trunk with no help from Rex, I turned to face him. “I don't know what you want, but I'm busy, and I don't really care.”

He winced. “Ouch.”

“You cheated on me, and I moved on. I don't care why. I'm happy.” Even if Axel was in Maryland and hadn't declared any feelings for me, I'd be okay. I was living out my dreams. Finally.

My family was starting to understand me. I was excited about the future, and it didn't include Rex.

“I just thought you'd want to talk.” His voice wavered, his eyes were wide as he watched me.

I laughed because I didn't. Not at all. “Bye, Rex. Have a good life.” I wasn't afraid of his effect on me anymore. I didn't have time for him.

I got into my car and drove to my house. My beach cottage. I wondered if my followers would want to watch me put up lights in my new place. I set up the phone on a tripod, added lighting, and hit Record.

“It's Christmas Eve, and I thought this place should have some lights. I left my other ones in Maryland at the cabin. And this place could use the holiday cheer. What do you think?” I got to work, knowing I'd check the comments and emojis later. As I worked and talked about what Christmas was like in a beach town, the more people who were watching me live increased. When I was done, I showed them the full effect, and said, “Merry Christmas Eve from Florida.”

I wondered if Axel was watching, but concluded he wouldn't. He didn't even have a social media app on his phone. Besides, we were temporary, and he'd clearly moved on.

It hurt, but I had the cottage to focus on and my new life. I trusted myself to create everything I'd ever wanted.