Page 5 of Park Avenue Princess

“Well, except maybe North Dakota or Antarctica.” I chuckle.

“And it’s a damn good thing you have no desire to travel to either.” Addy cocks her head, smiling at me. Very few people can get away with using that nickname for her, and I’m lucky to be among that group. “So, warm sun, pristine beaches. How long are you planning to stay in the land down under?”

“Well, technically, that’s Australia…”

“Which is practicallyrightthere.”

I laugh. “Which I’ll no doubt visit as well since it takes an entire flipping day to get to that side of the world.”

“So you better make it worth it, huh?”

“Absolutely. I’ve done pretty darned well for myself, building up my account, so I can afford some time off.”

“There’s a lot you’ve dreamt of seeing and a break sounds like just what you need. You have the time as well as the means.”

“You’re one to talk. What about you and Peter taking some time off? You’re way overdue in that department.”

“Eh,” she shrugs. “I’ve got a lot on my plate with work, and Hollis has been occupied with adjusting to having his niece living with him.”

I know very little about the situation with her business partner and don’t want to pry, knowing it isn’t my place to do so. But that doesn’t mean I’m going to let her evade my concern about her and her husband taking some time for themselves.

“It wouldn’t hurt to take at least a week just to get away. Fly to Hawaii, the Keys, or even San Diego for goodness sakes. It’s gotta be better than twenty degrees and ice-covered streets.”

“Yeah, yeah, we’ll see.”

“Which meansno, in your book.”

We both chuckle before I place my hand across her arm. “Thank you.” She tries to wave off the comment, but I start again. “Really, Addy, thanks for your friendship and now your encouragement. In only a few years, I feel as if we’ve made a life-long bond I’ll forever be grateful for. But what does it mean for your working relationship with my father?” I sit back, my hands already working nervously in my lap.

Addison and Hollis LaCroix are wealth fund managers who’ve worked in tandem with my father’s accounting firm for a handful of years.

“We’re not under contract to remain with him, but we’ll give the firm some time to prove themselves. See if they have the mettle once they’ve lost you.” She winks. “On the other hand, nothing says you can’t start your own business should you ever decide to return from paradise.”

“Yeah, right, like I wouldn’t return.”

“Hey, you never know. You could find some jolly good bloke and decide living in the outback is all right with you.”

“You’re ridiculous,” I joke. “One, I have no desire to go to the outback. I’ll remain on the coastline, thank you very much. And two, while I do find their accent to be oh-so-sexy, I honestly can’t see myself living anyplace other than here.” When she looks at me with skepticism, I rush on. “No, really. I absolutely do want to travel and see other places, but I love New York City and I’ll always call it home.”

She clasps my hand and gives it a good squeeze. “Well good then. I won’t have to go trapesing around the world to spend time with my friend.”

I squeeze in return before releasing her hand.

“You are going to inform your parents, right?”

“Of course. I’m sure it won’t be a fun conversation but I should give them the courtesy of at least letting them know my plans. Should anything unusual happen.”

“Like what?”

“Like the plane crashes into the Pacific Ocean or—”

“Oh, for fuck’s sake, Lynnie!”

“Addy! Language.” I scold her as my face reddens and I scan the area around us.

We may be seated in a restaurant that’s barely occupied, but the quiet atmosphere lends to sound carrying well across the room.

“Oh, I don’t give a hoot. And your plane isn’t going to crash. And you aren’t going to get eaten by a shark. And you won’t get kidnapped by some—”

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