Page 24 of Stolen Hearts (WaterColor Romance #7)

Autumn walked over to the full length mirror in her bedroom.

She knew that she looked good. The black dress fit her well and highlighted her features in an attractive way.

Even so, she wasn’t quite sure it looked good enough dinner with her parents.

She would have these doubts no matter which outfit she chose.

Autumn forced herself to smile at her reflection.

Her parents were a running commentary in her head, so constant that those voices had become her inner dialogue.

Her parents,James and Moira were waiting for her luggage in hand when Autumn pulled up to the curb at the airport. Her Father subtly glanced down at his designer Patek Philippe watch, a subtle sign that Autumn had kept her parents waiting. Off to a great start , she told herself.

Moira came around to the back of the car where Autumn loaded her luggage into the trunk. She gave Autumn a long look before smiling approvingly and bringing her in for a quick hug. Her Father was already seated in the passenger side seat of the car. Autumn’s eyes gave him a quick glance.

“I guess we should get going,” Autumn smiled at her Mom.

“You know how hungry your Father gets when he travels,” Her Mom offered.

Autumn sighed as she walked around to her car door.

“It’s good to see you, sweetie,” James said with a stiff smile.

Her Father had always been a stern man. James saved most of his smiles for successful business deals.

“It’s good to see you too, Dad.”

Autumn offered her warmest smile.

“Are we eating at your new place?” Her Mom asked.

“No, we’re actually going to have dinner at the bar I just helped design.”

“Oh, the big project you just finished?” James asked.

“That’s the one,” Autumn smiled proudly.

“You started dating the owner of the bar didn’t you?” Moira asked.

Autumn could feel a bead of sweat forming on the back of her neck.

“I did. But not until after the project was finished.”

Autumn sat up a little straighter in her seat. She was surprised when her Mom waved her off.

“You’ll get no judgements from us. Some of the most successful couples we know met doing business with each other.”

Autumn almost gave a sigh of relief. She’d been worried about how her parents would view her relationship with Quinn. She was grateful that the subject had been a non issue.

“Has your girlfriend been in business long or is the bar her first project?” James asked. His tone was casual, but Autumn knew better. There was always something underneath every question her Father asked.

“This is her first business,” Autumn answered honestly. She could see her parents exchange a look in the rearview.

“Okay, what was that?” Autumn blurted.

Her tone had come out far too harsh, she could tell by the way her Father sighed in the seat beside her.

“It’s nothing. Your Mother and I are concerned. Bars and restaurants are notoriously difficult businesses to make successful. With this being her first one that makes it even harder,” James answered.

“I’m sure it won’t be easy. But if anyone can do it, Quinn can,” Autumn smiled.

“You seem to have a lot of faith in this Quinn person,” Moira chuckled.

“I do,” Autumn answered simply.

They pulled up to the bar’s parking lot. A large foldable sign stood beside the entrance. In immaculate lettering it read closed for a special event. James frowned at the sign.

“We’re not the special event are we?”

“Of course you are. Quinn was very excited to meet you both,” Autumn smiled.

Her Mother offered a reassuring smile, though her Father still grimaced at the sign. He was going to be tough to win over Autumn knew. This was why she’d never bothered to bring any other women she’d dated around to meet her parents.

Her parents weren’t unaccepting of her being gay.

In fact, Autumn coming out had been a non issue.

However, they did want her to find a partner that was successful and financially independent.

Anything less just wouldn’t be acceptable.

Not to mention her definition of success was somewhat different from that of her parents.

Was Quinn successful enough to gain their blessing?

Autumn guessed she was about to find out.

She pushed open the bar doors and stepped inside.

Autumn smiled, Quinn had set the main seating area up perfectly.

She’d moved all the smaller tables to the lower level and left one long table.

The table had place settings with nice silverware.

There were floweres as centerpieces. All in all Autumn wasn’t sure she could have done a better job herself.

Quinn stood beside the table, she wore a soft black dress shirt with white pleated pants.

Autumn watched as Quinn’s eyes widened and her smile grew.

Quinn stepped forward to meet them. She extended her hand to James and then Moira shaking their hands.

Then she pulled Autumn in for a tight yet respectful hug.

Quinn had clearly known what she was talking about when she’d said she was good at meeting parents.

Autumn was impressed. Her parents also seemed appreciative of Quinn’s efforts on their behalf.

Autumn was sure she even saw her Father smile.

Quinn gestured towards the table and they all took a seat.

Her parents sat on one side of the table, while she and Quinn sat on the opposite side.

Quinn placed a reassuring hand on Autumn’s knee.

The subtle gesture sent a wave of warmth through Autumn, helping to calm her nerves.

Autumn watched in bemusement as her Father tried to make small talk.

He’d always been the sort of man to cut straight to business.

James Kinsport didn’t mince words or throw them around needlessly.

So watching him ask Quinn about where she grew up and her what her family was like sent a tinge of appreciation through Autmn.

Her parents were trying. She relaxed even the tiniest bit more.

The food came and Autumn had to hand it to Quinn everything looked immaculate.

This could easily have been a five star restaurant.

She could tell from their smiles that her parents were also having a good time.

“Quinn, tell me what made you want to open your own bar?” James asked.

Autumn felt her body stiffen at the question. But she felt Quinn give her knee a reassuring squeeze and allowed herself to relax into the touch.

“I’ve spent years wanting to open my own place.

I’ve worked just about every job there is when it comes to bars.

I’ve been a hostess, a server, I’ve made drinks, been a line cook, I was even a manager for a time in Vegas.

So I’m familiar with this world. Owning a bar is about the only thing I haven’t done,” Quinn laughed.

Autumn was surprised when her parents laughed too.

“You know that’s a very smart approach. You’ve learned everything from the inside out,” James said with a smile.

Autumn’s heart almost stopped beating. Was Quinn charming her parents? How was this even possible? It had never occured to Autumn that her parents could be charmed. Yet here they were enthralled by Quinn. The sight eased the tension in Autumn’s chest.

“Honey, tell us about your next big project,” James asked, his question was clearly directed towards Autumn. Autumn felt herself freeze.

“I’ve talked to a few prospects but I don’t have any projects set in stone right now,” Autumn smiled wide. She tried to ignore her Father’s disapproving look.

“What have we told you? Don’t end a project without having something else lined up,” Moira scolded though her tone was calm.

Autumn felt like she was ten years old and bringing home a less than perfect report card. Quinn gave her knee another squeeze but even that did little to bring her comfort.

“I like taking a couple weeks between projects to recalibrate my brain. It also gives me an opportunity to fully prospect for new clients,” Autumn smiled. She hoped that this would be enough of an answer for her parents.

“But wouldn’t it feel better to know you have something already lined up? That way you can seamlessly transition from one project to another.” James offered.

Autumn could feel herself shutting down. Her answers weren’t going to matter. Quinn squeezed her leg and met her eyes. Autumn stared deep into Quinn’s warm brown eyes and somehow knew the right response.

“I know that you value business success over most things. And I completely understand. I guess I’m just learning to define success a bit differently from the two of you.

I’m aware that I’m in the beginning of my career and so I need to put in the time to build it.

But I also don’t want to suffer the same burnouts that I’ve watched the two of you go through.

I value having a balance between my work life and personal life.

With this last project I seem to have made a name for myself.

I’ve had several businesses reaching out.

I’m not completely taking a break from work.

I’m going over all the files of from places that are wanting to hire me.

I’m seeing which projects interest me, where I’m going to be a good fit.

I also wanted to give myself some time to enjoy a visit with the two of you.

Next week I’ll start making phone calls to the businesses and prioritze which projects I want to take on first.”

Autumn watched as the hard lines on her Father’s face softened. Her Mother smiled widely. Quinn rubbed her knee softly.

“That’s a really good point, honey. Heaven knows your Father and I have had plennty of times when we almost ran ourselves ragged,” Moira offered.

“It’s true. Your Mother has even convinced me that we need to take more time off work. Especially now that we’re so close to retirement,” James smiled.