A/N: I thought pacing might feel a bit slow, so I've uploaded 2 chapters today. There are only a couple more chapters and an epilogue left, they're written, I just need to do final edits. I hope you've been enjoying, I've appreciated the reviews I've gotten :)
Seated on Carina's bed, Sarah watched her friend apply the final touches to her makeup. Carina refused to admit that she actually liked Sarah's parents, but she always put extra effort into her appearance when she knew she would see them.
The yacht hummed along, water breaking against the bow in a soothing rythym as they approached the port. Her parents would be in town already, and she was both excited and nervous to see them. Two significant discussions awaited her, the first about her future, the second about Bryce.
Carina's room had turned into a shared chaos of clothing, now overcrowded with Sarah's as well as Carina's. Bryce had been irritated when Sarah asked Chuck and Morgan to move her wardrobe over, which triggered another fight. Keeping the peace until the end of the trip was becoming more difficult by the day.
Carina locked eyes with Sarah through the mirror. "So, Blondie. Last day. Are you going to finally test the lemonade?"
Sarah's cheeks flushed as she avoided Carina's knowing gaze, fiddling with the edge of the bed sheet. Chuck had made it worse by being… well… Chuck. He was easy to be around, and easier to like. She had enjoyed learning how to pilot the yacht with Casey years ago, but it was a whole new experience with Chuck as her study partner.
"I already told you, Red." Sarah said, frowning slightly. "The timing just doesn't work out."
"Blondie, you're the smartest person I know." Carina gave her a deadpan look that meant she was going to tell it straight. "You've got one foot out of the door on Bryce already, and your heart's already moving on. What's stopping you? Pride? Fear? Or are you just afraid of being happy?"
Sarah sighed heavily. She had been through this in her head so many times, the logic was all there, but she wanted so badly to be wrong. "I can't break up with Bryce until after this business dinner, its too important for me to put my personal feelings first. And then we leave tomorrow. If everything goes according to plan, I'll be enrolled in school in a couple months and Chuck will be back in California… or here… or wherever he's going to be."
Carina's eyes narrowed at Sarah's words. "You mean to tell me you haven't even asked him what he's doing next? Maybe he'd be willing to move to New York if you asked him!"
Sarah huffed. She had considered asking him, but any time she started to talk about the future, it felt too real and it scared her. "No, I haven't asked. I think maybe this is all it's meant to be. Maybe if I wasn't with Bryce at the start of this trip, or if he lived in New York already… but I can't start a new long distance relationship the day after I end a different one. I'd never see him!"
Carina shook her head at Sarah. "Do you even hear yourself? Two years ago when you started dating Bryce, you asked me if you'd see him too much since you already had monthly budget meetings together!" Carina's voice was flat, her tone unimpressed. "Whereas with Curls, you haven't even asked him what he thinks and you don't think you could see him enough."
The truth of it stung, and it made Sarah's throat tighten. "It's too much, Red. I think I really like him, but I can't upend my whole future for a guy I only met a few weeks ago!"
Carina stood from her chair and walked over to the bed, wrapping Sarah up in a powerful hug. "You don't have to drop everything. But that doesn't mean you have to walk away."
Sarah's breath hitched as she clung onto her friend's arms. "I wish it were that simple." she whispered.
o-o-o-o-o
Seated at the table in the salon for lunch while docked, the smells of fresh fish and the salt of the ocean mingled with the citrus aroma of the large pitcher of lemonade Chuck had prepared for them. Water lapping at the dock and against the hull was set off against laughter as, Carina, Sarah, and Bryce shared the stories of their time on the yacht with Sarah's father.
Jack, in turn, regaled them with tales from his early adventures with Casey on Burton's Pride, surprising Sarah with stories of storms, engine failures, and navigation faults that she hadn't heard before. Morgan, being entrusted by Lucia, took the lead in preparing their lunch. He showcased his talent with perfectly salted and herbed fish that flaked wonderfully and paired well with the fried plantains and cassava. If she hadn't experienced some of his earlier culinary attempts she would have thought Morgan had been preparing these meals for years.
Sarah, in a knee length crimson dress with a high neckline, contrasted with Carina's club-ready dark blue dress with a scooped neckline and exposed back. Bryce was back to his picture of formality in his suit and slicked hair. Ever the oddity, Jack's blazer was rolled up over his arms. His partially unbuttoned white shirt showed his greying chest hairs, but still left the older man as the picture of charm that he always was.
Butterflies fluttered in Sarah's stomach as she mentally prepared for the conversation she needed to have with her dad. She had been mentally writing her speech to him at night, and was afraid he would react poorly to it, and be unwilling to budge on his ultimatum.
Her worry was amplified by concern about what questions her mother might be asking Chuck on their shopping trip. She was determined to keep her personal conflicts with Bryce and Chuck separate from the evening's events. With Bryce growing increasingly desperate to prove his worth, Sarah already saw the dinner as a final closing event of their relationship.
As Bryce excused himself, he flashed a determined look at Sarah, saying he needed to pick something up in the port.
Jack seized the opportunity to address Sarah's growing silence. "Carina, dear, I think Sarah's going to burst a blood vessel if she waits any longer to talk to me. Would you mind if I had a chat with her?"
Carina looked between the two, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Not a problem, Jack. We barely did any shopping and this might be my last chance. Is this about the lemonade?"
Sarah rolled her eyes at Carina's playful remark. "The lemonade can wait. This is something else."
Jack observed them with amusement, Carina's desire to stay fighting with Sarah's need for privacy, before Carina relented and left the boat. Turning back to Sarah, Jack picked up the pitcher of lemonade as he poured himself another glass. "I'll admit, Darling, this is the best lemonade I've ever had, but I'm curious what could be urgent about it."
Sarah felt warmth in her cheeks as her mind touched on Chuck briefly. The idea of discussing her feelings with her father was daunting, especially given her unresolved circumstances.
"The lemonade is… not about the lemonade." Sarah admitted, her gaze dropping to the table.
A knowing smirk crossed her father's face for only an instant. "Ok, so not lemonade. Well then, Darling, is this about if you've made a decision regarding the company?"
Sarah took a deep breath as she mentally reviewed the speech she had prepared for him. "I'm not ready to take over Burton Enterprises just yet. I want to enroll in an MBA course at NYU and continue working while I complete it over the next year and a half."
Jack's expression shifted from surprise to interest. "That's a solid plan, darling. It'll give us a clear timeline to plan for the transition."
Sarah's relief was palpable. "Exactly, It'll also help me build the confidence of your current team in my future role."
"Sarah, you've always been right for the role." Jack said, taking her hands in his. "And this is what you truly want?"
Sarah nodded "It is."
Jack leaned back thoughtfully. "This is a significant change from our last discussion. Did Bryce help you with this decision?"
"No, not Bryce. Chuck helped me work through it." Sarah said, her voice faltering slightly.
"Charlie?" Jack's eyes lit up with interest as he used the nickname he had immediately coined for Chuck. "He seems like a good kid, tell me more about him."
Sarah talked animatedly about Chuck, recounting their experiences on the yacht. Jack listened attentively, probing gently as Sarah described Chuck's character and their growing connection. By the time the pitcher of lemonade was empty, Sarah felt a mix of excitement and apprehension about the evening ahead.
Maybe after tonight, she could try to tackle her final decision about Chuck.
