Page 4 of The Single Dad Billionaire
I had to admit that even throughout college, up to that point, I’d always compared every date that I went on to that day that I had spent with Josh. I had seen how it was possible to feel at ease and comfortable with someone, and I was always chasing it.I wanted to find it again, and I knew that one day I would, but it was fun to remember back to that day in the ocean.
“Brenna? Did you hear me?”
I looked up and saw that Alicia was looking at me, a confused expression on her face. I realized that I had gotten lost in thought and completely missed whatever she had just said.
“Sorry,” I said. “My mind wandered. What did you say?”
“I said that you have to go out there and check it out,” she said.
I nodded. “I know. I have to at least see it. I mean, I can’t imagine myself up and moving to California to run a B&B. I am a teacher, I love my job, and I love living here in the city. But before I just sell the property, I want to go and look at it. I also feel like that would be the most respectful thing to do for Mr. Reynolds.”
Alicia and Michelle agreed with me. We finished eating dinner, and then I spent the rest of the evening planning my trip to California. I still couldn’t believe that I was going to be heading out there to look at the business I owned, but I was excited to go and see the town where I had so many fun memories.
Chapter 2
Josh
“Let me over!” I shouted at the driver behind me. I knew he couldn’t hear me, but it made me feel better to let off some steam. I needed to get off the freeway, and the traffic was even heavier than usual. I had my blinker on for the last mile, hoping someone would let me merge. As much as I loved living in Southern California, the traffic always made me grumpy.
Three more cars blocked me out until I finally made eye contact with a driver and started to nose my way into her lane. She glared at me and threw her hands up in disgust, but she let me in. I gave a passive-aggressive wave of thanks and turned up the volume of the music playing.
Once I got off the freeway, I turned onto Pacific Coast Highway, and the traffic disappeared. From there, it was only a 20-minute drive until I was home.
The thought of being home, grabbing my surfboard, and heading out to the water made me feel relaxed. I laughed at myself, realizing I had carefully orchestrated my life to avoid traffic as much as possible. However, Friday afternoons were unavoidable due to the company-wide staff meeting every Friday in our downtown Los Angeles office.
Turning onto PCH, I turned off the air conditioner and rolled down the windows. I thought about putting the top down on my convertible. All my friends laughed at me for refusing to ride with the top down in traffic, but none of them realized how awful the exhaust fumes could get.
I checked the time and realized I had plenty of time to surf and grab a quick dinner before Rylan got home from his school trip to Magic Mountain. I smiled, thinking about the text he had sent earlier in the day.
Hey, Papa Josh. Why didn’t you tell me that roller coasters were so awesome?
He ended his message with a smirking emoji because we both knew I had been trying to convince him to go to Magic Mountain for two years, and he had always refused. However, this time the trip was for all the eighth graders at his school, and he didn’t want to miss out.
Thinking about Rylan filled me with the conflicting emotions I always felt regarding my adopted son. I loved him, and we had built a good life together, but his parents had been two of my closest friends. Their tragic deaths were something neither of us would ever fully heal from.
When Karl and Aimee asked if I would be Rylan’s guardian should something happen to them, I agreed without hesitation. Rylan was only four at the time, and we all thought it was justa formality. Yet six years later, Karl and Aimee lost their lives in a devastating accident, and Rylan came to live with me. It was a difficult adjustment at first, but we eventually settled into a good routine. I officially adopted him two years later, and he affectionately called me “Papa Josh.”
I was glad he could have fun with his friends, and I knew I would never stop admiring my son’s strength and resilience.
The rest of my commute went by quickly, and by the time I rolled into Vista Bay, I was completely relaxed and ready to enjoy the weekend. I drove down Main Street, feeling grateful that this was my home. I loved knowing all the store owners and smiled as they waved when I drove by.
I was happy to see the coffee shop still had a line out the front door. It had only been open for about a month, but it had already done more business than the owner had hoped for in three months. Everyone in town was excited to support the new business, adding to the charm of our community.
As I turned onto Ocean View Drive, I was surprised to see two cars parked in front of Tide’s Pull Bed and Breakfast. I was curious about what would happen to the property after Mr. Reynolds passed away. None of us wanted to bring it up at the funeral, but it was a question on everyone’s mind.
I slowed down to see who was there. Just then, the front door of the B&B opened, and I saw Mr. Jacobson walk out, followed by someone. I couldn’t see her face, but I could tell she was a petite brunette.
My curiosity got the best of me, and I decided to stop and introduce myself.
I can say I’m here on business,I thought.
I knew Mr. Jacobson would vouch for me, especially since my career involved developing small businesses and hotels.
I stopped the car and got out. As I walked up the pathway, the brunette moved into view, and I was struck by how muchshe resembled Brenna Jensen, the girl I had taught to surf. It couldn’t be her, though. Brenna’s family had moved out of the area, and I hadn’t seen her since that day on the shore. There was no reason she would be at this property. However, as I got closer, I realized it was her.
We made eye contact, and she instantly recognized me.
“Brenna?” I said. “What on earth are you doing here?”
