Page 4 of Stolen Hearts (WaterColor Romance #7)

Autumn wasn’t sure what was wrong with her.

Why had she agreed to work on the bar project for Quinn?

Meeting Quinn had been fun, but the woman was an undeniable disaster.

That project would likely take months to come to fruition.

She was certain it would take more than a fresh can of paint to turn the bar around. So, what had possessed her to say yes?

It was true that she wanted more inclusivity for herself and her friends in WaterColor.

A nice beach bar for lesbians sounded like a dream come true.

Clearly, she had bitten off more than she could chew.

The most frustrating part had been Quinn herself.

The adorable brunette had made Autumn want to scoop her up and take care of her.

It hadn’t helped that Quinn had been exactly her type.

Shorter than Autumn by about an inch or two with big soulful brown eyes.

Cute and quirky had always been what Autumn went for.

On top of the physical, Quinn had been so sweet.

It was too bad that Quinn was in a total state of disarray herself.

She wasn’t sure who this former lover in Vegas was, but the woman had clearly done a number on Quinn.

Autumn’s phone rang and she startled when she saw that it was her mother calling.

“Hey, Mom,” Autumn said, tone more uncertain than she’d like.

“Honestly, Autumn, I hope you don’t answer the phone that way for clients,” Moira chided.

“Of course not,” Autumn bristled at the jab.

She could almost picture her mom counting to ten before speaking again.

“I didn’t call to fight, dear. I was just wondering how things were going. How’s the new business coming along?”

Autumn winced. Her Mom could have literally started the conversation any other way. Once again, they were going to talk about business.

“It’s good,” Autumn answered simply.

“Only good?”

“It’s great,” Autumn tried a second time. She wished her mom would ask her about her life outside of her business.

“What kind of things have you been working on?”

Autumn sighed and resigned herself to the conversation in front of her.

“I just signed to start on a beachside bar project.” Autumn felt herself brighten. If her mom wanted to talk business at least she had a fun project on the books.

“Really. That sounds interesting.”

“It is. The owner is going to turn it into a lesbian bar, so it’ll be the first of its kind here.”

“That’s wonderful, honey.”

“I think this could really help establish my name here in WaterColor.”

She could practically feel her mom’s excitement growing.

“Wonderful. Just wonderful.”

“Unfortunately, the bar is in bad shape. I’m basically starting from scratch. But the place has great bones, and I’m confident in my ability to design around the space.”

“That’s my girl. Never be afraid of hard work and never doubt yourself.”

“Thanks, Mom.”

Autumn smiled to herself. Sometimes she didn’t give her mom enough credit for absolutely being her biggest cheerleader.

“When you’re done with this project I’d love to come for a quick visit. You can show me this new bar. Maybe we can even pull your dad away from work.”

“I’d like that,” Autumn smiled. She would enjoy a visit from her mom and dad. They had only been to visit her a handful of times since she’d moved to WaterColor. She and her mom made small talk for several more minutes before hanging up.

Her Mom was coming for a visit, Autumn’s head swam. She had a rundown bar to fix and a mom who wanted that bar to be perfect so she could see it in person.

She needed to clear her mind in the worst way.

Autumn sent a quick text to her friend Piper asking if she wanted to fit in a quick workout.

Piper’s response was an immediate yes. The two of them had gone halves on a gym membership in town last year.

They’d been working out together for years, so the move had felt natural.

Thirty minutes later she was standing by the free weights with Piper. Autumn couldn’t stop sighing loudly, as her body released the tension it was holding.

“Are you going to be, okay?” Piper asked.

Autumn stopped mid bicep curl.

“I’m fine. Why do you ask?”

“You’ve sighed like five times. And they aren’t happy sighs. They’re frustrated sighs. So, what gives?”

“I have something on my mind,” Autumn announced simply.

“Care to share?”

“I got offered this project. I think it’s going to be really cool. It’s a lesbian bar on the beach.”

“Say less. I love that for us.”

Autumn gave a laugh.

“That part of it is what draws me in for sure.”

“So, what is less attractive about the project?”

“The place itself is a complete disaster. I mean it’s going to take so much work. A complete overhaul. And the owner…”

Autumn cut herself off before she could finish the sentence. But it was too late. Piper stared at her expectantly.

“And the owner…” Piper finally prodded.

“The owner is exactly my type. Except she is also a complete disaster.”

“Well, why don’t we start there since that is most likely the source of your frustration.”

Autumn shot Piper a warning glare, which her friend shrugged off with an irritating casualness.

“What about this woman is frustrating for you?”

“She’s just so painfully optimistic about this project that isn’t going to be easy. I came in today and she’d tied balloons to every single table. She doesn’t have a bar license yet, so she served me root beer. She served it in the can, because she doesn’t have glasses yet.”

Piper set her weights down beside the weight bench. She studied Autumn carefully.

“Okay, but that actually sounds adorable.” Piper crinkled up her nose as she smiled.

“It is adorable. That’s the actual problem.”

“I don’t understand.”

“She’s an adorable disaster. But still a disaster.”

“I don’t know if what you’ve described necessarily makes her a disaster.”

Autumn heaved a sigh.

“I’m just now making a name for myself in WaterColor. My business is starting to pick up. A beachside bar of any type is a huge project. This has the potential to make or break me. And the woman I’m hanging my fate on is wearing board shorts and living on her best friend’s couch.”

“First of all, we’ve all stayed on a couch. Secondly, I actually think this is going to be good for you.”

“Good for me, how? If one part of this project falls through, that’s what people will remember about me.”

“Well, that’s not going to happen. You’re amazing at what you do.”

“I am. But even I might not be able to fix this.”

“Let me ask you a question,” Piper said with a grin.

“Shoot.” Autumn picked her weights back up and started doing a set of shoulder presses.

“Does this woman seem eager? I mean do you think she’ll be willing to listen to your ideas?”

Autumn paused between sets, considering the question.

“Yeah. I think Quinn seems very eager. The most eager.” Autumn had to chuckle at the reality of that statement.

“Then I say, give her a chance. You’re excited about the potential of this project. It’s written all over your face. Come up with some amazing mockups and see if this Quinn woman is willing to give you some creative freedom.”

Even as Piper said the words, Autumn knew the answer. Quinn would absolutely listen to her. Therein lied part of her fear. What if Quinn did everything she suggested, and the bar still wasn’t a success? Autumn swept the thoughts from her mind.

“You’re right. I am fundamentally excited about this project. There’s no harm in putting some mockups together and getting Quinn’s reaction to them.”

“Good. I have a feeling that this is going to be an amazing experience for you. And for your career.”

Autumn smiled to herself. Yes, there would be challenges.

Then again, Autumn had never been the type of woman to run from a challenge.

Designing a trendy and chic new beach bar for WaterColor was her dream project.

Add to that the fact it would be a lesbian bar, and it was the kind of project that Autumn simply couldn’t say no to.

“Tell me about your life,” Autumn encouraged.

“There’s not much to tell. Things have been feeling a bit stagnant lately.”

“Stagnant in what area?”

“All of them.” Piper pursed her lips together and frowned.

“What do you mean?”

“I’m just always doing the same things. I’m still on dating apps having meaningless dates with casual people. My career feels like it lacks the fulfillment it once did.”

“Good thing you have amazing friends,” Autumn chuckled.

“Yes, that is an area where I’m very happy. I think I’m just searching for more.”

“I understand. I felt that way before I started my business here.”

“Was it easy to get started?”

“In some ways, yes. In other ways it was hard. Leaving things behind to start new somewhere else wasn’t easy. But I’m glad I made the move.”

“I don’t think a move is in my future. But I do think maybe it’s time to shake things up a bit.”

“You know what you need better than anyone else,” Autumn suggested.

“You say that, but I’m clueless. And that’s just for the career. Forget trying to figure out the love department.”

“The love department always feels difficult. I may just give up on love.”

“Oh, come on. You literally just met someone.”

“Who did I meet?”

“Seriously? Quinn. The cute and quirky bar owner. She’s frustratingly optimistic and completely your type.”

“She doesn’t count,” Autumn stated simply.

“What do you mean she doesn’t count?”

“She’s a client. You know I don’t mix business with pleasure.”

Piper’s expression looked as if she’d just tasted sour milk.

“Fine. Point her in my direction.”

“We both know you prefer women that are a bit posher.”

Piper laughed out loud.

“I wish you didn’t know me so well,” Piper teased.

“You love it.”

“I do. But it makes hiding impossible.”

“Because you aren’t meant to hide from your friends.”

Piper leaned over and gave Autumn a hug.

“The two of us are going to figure our shit out. I have a good feeling about it.”

Autumn laughed. She was glad that one of them had a good feeling about the direction of their lives.

Talking to Piper had provided her with some well-needed clarity.

She would do the mockups for Quinn. Autumn would show the woman how to turn that run down beach shack into a chic lesbian bar.

She was beyond confident; this was exactly in her wheelhouse.