Chapter 9

9

AMELIA

The restaurant we are dining at tonight is nestled in a quiet street in Williamsburg.

According to an online article Austin read, the restaurant was only recently opened by three best friends who just finished culinary school.

Visiting Williamsburg is something I enjoy. From the artistic vibes to the chic boutiques, there is something about this place that fuels creativity and makes you want to explore your boundaries. I’m far from being a creative person, best to bury my head in a textbook and study facts. Yet, it doesn’t stop my fascination with how the creative mind works.

The wait staff is very accommodating tonight, despite the restaurant being at almost capacity. One of the brothers, Roman, had stopped by our table to introduce himself to the three of us, but I suspect his interest is geared toward my father.

And if my suspicions are correct, it has something to do with business.

“Okay, I’ll bite.” I open with while dipping some fancy eggroll into a special sauce. “Do you own the place? The waiters are nervous, and Roman was extra polite to you as if this isn’t your first visit here.”

Dad chuckles softly, swirling the Shiraz sitting inside the glass in front of him.

“I’m considering it, depending on how tonight goes.”

When it comes to business and opportunities, my father is always one step ahead. Growing up, I never paid much attention to what he actually did because I was intrigued with our legal system. Therefore, I gravitated toward my mom. As I grew older and began to understand business, I realized just how influential and powerful my father is. Back in LA, he owned Dreamteam studios. They created and produced Oscar-winning movies and TV shows streamed all over the world. Yet Dreamteam is only a fraction of the Lexed Group. What he does beyond that is more than I can comprehend. I just never realized he invested in start-up restaurants, especially this small.

“Tell me, Austin, how are things going with your studies?” Dad asks.

“Challenging,” Austin replies while exhaling. “I’m gravitating toward pediatrics. Though, a part of me is also leaning toward being a trauma surgeon.”

“It’s a big decision to make,” Dad concludes, letting out a long whistle. “I wanted general practice. Perhaps, in hindsight, maybe that should have been a sign that my heart wasn’t in it. I was completely unfocused. Not to mention Charlotte proved a distraction.”

My lips curve upward into a smile. I’m sure he wouldn’t argue the distraction was worth it in the end.

“Do you think if you and Mom stayed together after she finished high school, you would have been a doctor to this day?”

Dad rubs his chin with a downcast expression. “It’s hard to say. The demands of a medical career would have pulled me away from her eventually. Besides, it’s hard to imagine it being any different. Your mother studied at Yale, as you know, and a law degree wouldn’t have been as satisfying had we stayed in Carmel.”

I bow my head, willing my rampant thoughts to slow down and stop overanalyzing. Since Austin is studying medicine, and with me studying law, how would we be any different? Austin will be away most days as everyone knows you can’t just clock out in the hospital. Not when there is an emergency.

And then what about when we have children one day? Is it expected that my career will take a back seat while Austin fulfills his dreams?

“Hello, family,” the familiar voice breaks my momentary freak out.

I lift my gaze to see Ava standing at our table, beautifully made up as usual. She’s wearing a high-waisted faux leather skirt with a white ribbed tank top and matching white sneakers. Her hair is tied back into a ponytail, though her waves are perfectly styled and falling down her back.

Despite how gorgeous she looks, it doesn’t erase my feelings toward her after our fight. She wraps her arms around Dad before letting go and taking a seat beside him.

“Oh, look what the cat dragged back in,” I mumble beneath my breath.

Austin eyes the two of us with an amused look on his face. “What are the two of you arguing about now? Is it about the whole pineapple on pizza thing again?

“It shouldn’t be on there,” Ava states.

“Says who?” I counter, crossing my arms before glancing away. “It’s not about that, anyway.”

Ava lowers her gaze while adjusting her napkin. “Just girl stuff.”

Neither Dad nor Austin breathes a word. They know better than to get involved in our arguments.

“So, I got some great news today, which is why I wanted to come here and share with you guys first, although heads up, Mom already knows.”

“What is it?” Dad asks cautiously.

“As you know, I’m launching a new lifestyle brand soon. The website is complete, and our marketing campaign is almost finalized. We just need a few stand-out pieces, including pictures for our launch,” Ava says with a proud smile. “A client of mine, Elle Rayven, is lending us her Hamptons house for the shoot.”

“The Rayven estate?” Dad questions with a knowing smile. “Your mother fell in love with the estate years ago. Jonathan Rayven, the owner back then, refused to sell.”

“Hmm, that’s Elle’s father, I think.” Ava pulls back slightly, tugging the bottom of her lip. “I don’t blame Mom. I’ve Googled the place, and it is breathtaking. So, anyway, I was late because I was chatting to Aunt Nikki about hosting Uncle Rocky’s birthday there. The only catch is, it’s next weekend. A few weeks earlier than his actual birthday.”

“I’m in LA next weekend,” Austin informs Ava, a heavy sigh escaping him. “I’d bail, but it’s my sister’s birthday, and I promised to come back home.”

All eyes turn to me. I begin to pinch the skin between my thumb and forefinger, trying to distract the thoughts coming to mind. Quickly, I come up with an excuse. “It’s kind of close. I have a paper due.”

“Can’t you finish the paper earlier?” Ava insists, staring at me avidly.

“I can try,” I mumble, lowering my gaze, only to lift it moments later, hoping she can read between the lines.

Ava’s expression shifts, and I’m sure she’s figured why I’m apprehensive.

“What about you, Dad?” Ava turns to him, clutching onto his arm. “It won’t be the same unless you and Mom are there.”

“I’ll speak to your mother, but I’m sure we can make it work if she doesn’t have court hearings.”

“Can you leave the brats behind?” Ava drags, half-jokingly.

Dad shakes his head with a soft chuckle. “Addison has finals, so I don’t think she’ll make it. As for Alexandra, I’m sure Grandma can stay for a few days and take care of her.”

“She’s not a kid, Dad,” I snort, trying to defend my youngest sister. “You realize she’s a teenager?”

“Yes, a teenager who is not responsible enough to be at home by herself. Do you know what happens when you’re the baby of the family?”

A smirk plays on my lips. “Enlighten us, Dad?”

“You are spoiled by your mother.”

This time, Ava snorts. “Like you’re a saint in all this. You’re worse than Mom.”

“It’s true, Dad,” I tell him while nodding in agreeance. “You spoil Alexandra so much. I feel like I got the worst end of the stick being the firstborn.”

Dad crosses his arms, his face less than pleased on our unified attack of his parental skills.

“Who else is coming?” I ask, bringing the conversation back to the weekend.

Ava drops her eyes to her phone and reads a list of names. “Rocky, Nikki, but no Beau because he’s in Germany for some soccer thing. Andy, Luna, Adriana, and Julian. Willow is staying with a friend.” Ava lets out a breath, then continues, “Kate and Noah, oh and Jessa and Nash. Sienna is also staying back. And, of course, Eric. Tristan is filming in the Bahamas, so it’s just him.”

“If Eric is there, brace yourselves,” Dad warns us.

“I don’t know why you keep saying that?” Ava points out, scrunching her face. “Eric is so tame.”

“You didn’t know him back then.”

“Wait,” I say, trying to calculate numbers in my head. “How big is this house?”

“Oh…” Ava nods with a wide grin. “It is big.”

“And is that all who is coming?” Austin questions with a playful smile. “Are your influencer friends going to be there?”

“Two of my business associates are, yes.” Ava rolls her eyes, letting out a huff. “Andy and Nash have already asked the same question. I swear all you men think with your dick and nothing else.”

“Ava,” Dad scolds.

Austin places his arm around my shoulder. “Hey, don’t look at me. I’m taken. But I do know that Andy is single and has a thing for your friend, Gigi.”

“Everyone has a thing for Gigi,” Ava drags unapologetically.

Gigi is beautiful, stunning even. Andy has mentioned her several times. I’m surprised he hasn’t texted me about this yet.

“I guess if Austin isn’t coming, I can crash with Jessa or something?” I mention out loud.

“We can work out the details later but trust me, there’s plenty of room.”

Roman returns to read out the specials reserved just for us. After we place our order, Austin excuses himself to the bathroom while Ava takes a call outside, leaving only me and Dad at the table.

My glance moves toward the breadbasket as I begin chewing the inside of my cheek. It is now or never, rip the Band-Aid off.

“I know Will is back,” I blurt out, unable to hold out any longer. “And before you say anything, you have nothing to worry about.”

Dad presses his lips together in a slight grimace. “I always have something to worry about. You’re my daughter.”

“What I mean to say is, I’ve moved on, and so has Will.”

“You know for a fact he has moved on?”

“I mean, I don’t know of a person he is in a relationship with, but I’ve made it clear how I feel.”

Crossing his arms, Dad watches me while cocking his head, then raises his eyebrows.

“And how do you feel, Amelia?

“I love Austin,” I’m quick to tell him. “I wouldn’t be marrying him if I didn’t.”

Dad nods his head with a dismissive glance, though he doesn’t say a word.

“What? You don’t believe me?” I ask, slightly hurt. “I told Will straight to his face that I’m marrying Austin.”

“You don’t know Will as I do, Amelia,” Dad sneers with a confident tone. “You think he’s going to sit back and do nothing?”

“You did know him,” I remind him. “Past tense. That was years ago.”

Austin returns to the table, forcing the conversation to switch to something else. Ava returns as well, just in time for the food to be served.

Everything is delicious and unique, nothing at all like anything I’ve tasted. There were so many flavors and different takes on everyday dishes like Mac ‘n Cheese. Dad is undoubtedly impressed, excusing himself after the meal to take a tour of the kitchen with Roman. When he finally returns, he shakes Roman’s hand, who looks equally as pleased.

We exit the restaurant, and I can’t help but ask the burning question.

“So, Dad, did you buy this place?”

“I don’t buy things, Amelia. I invest,” he tells me with a confident smile. “I have a meeting next Tuesday with the three owners.”

“Can I come?” Ava snickers beside me. “If the other two friends look anything like Roman, that is going to be one hell of a nice meeting.”

Dad lets out an annoyed huff. “No, Ava.”

We walk along the street, but I purposely slow down my footsteps as Dad and Austin walk a few feet ahead of us.

“Ava.” I pull her arm back, motioning for her to slow down. “Is Will coming next weekend?”

“He said he couldn’t make it, something about a business trip in Hong Kong.”

“Oh.”

“You look disappointed,” Ava brags with a knowing smirk. “It would have been perfect. Austin can’t make it. A big, beautiful house with a giant pool, and did I say it is a beachfront property?”

“I’m disappointed for his dad,” I lie, trying to keep my expression to a bare minimum. “You know how Rocky is. He always wants everyone there.”

“Yeah, you’re right. I tried to convince Will, but he said he has been waiting for this meeting for months, and something about trying to get it is like finding gold.”

“When did you speak to him?” I ask, curious.

“Yesterday, I went to his office. By the way, his receptionist, Tabitha? What a waste of fucking air. She wouldn’t let me in, even after I said I was Lex Edward’s daughter.”

I press my lips together, attempting to keep my smile at bay.

“Hey, I’m sorry about our fight.” Ava laces her arm into mine, resting her head on my shoulder. “I shouldn’t have said those things.”

“I’m sorry too, but you know, our fighting is training me to fight in court, so all is not lost.”

Ava lifts her head while laughing, though she keeps her arm linked into mine. “Right, I forgot. So, does Austin know about Will returning?”

I shake my head, then continue to stare in front of us, where Austin walks alongside Dad. The two of them are a father and son-in-law match made in heaven. There is no reason why I should ruin this for anyone.

“There’s no need to tell him, what’s the point? I don’t hang out with Will, nor is there a reason for me to see him. If our paths cross again, I’ll mention it to Austin, but for now, no need for him to know.”

“You’re right.” Ava nods calmly. “Don’t make it bigger than what it is.”

“Well, it’s nothing,” I remind Ava, but perhaps, it is more to remind myself. “You can’t make nothing into something big.”