Chapter 59 This is the beginning
This is the beginning
Today was our first day at Waves by the Sea.
The clients have come and gone. The vibe was exactly what I imagined it to be. The clients are so happy they found us, and they’re all in love with the new space we created.
We did it!
Sarah was fully booked out today too, the second I made the announcement, the appointments filled.
She’s practically glowing. Its closing time and the sunset is pouring golden pink light through the front windows, painting soft warmth across the floors and walls.
Everything smells fresh, new, and like my favourite vanilla and cedarwood candle.
Sarah stands beside me at the timber reception desk, looking radiant in her work attire.
We can wear whatever we want here—there’s no boring black only rule like we had to abide by at Snips.
“I’m so proud of you Honey,” she says, nudging me. “This place feels so right already.”
I smile, my heart full. “Couldn’t have done it without you Sarah.”
“I’m so glad to be a part of it.”
Now we’re closed, it’s time for the part I’ve been looking forward to all day. The ribbon-cutting. The celebration we planned for after our first day. Everyone starts to turn up. All my people.
But there’s a hollowness in my chest too. A quiet ache. My dad isn’t here. He said he was trying to get back in time, but I know military life doesn’t make promises.
And my mum… my eyes sting, even as I smile.
She should be here. I’d give anything for her to see this. To see me.
But I feel her. In the tones I painted on the canvas hanging on the wall. In the soft music playing overhead. In my heart. She’s here. In everything I do.
The crowd heads outside. I step back for a moment, taking it all in.
My salon. My name on the window. My future blooming between these walls.
Lucas, Sarah, Georgia, Tyler, Danielle, Nicole, Jill and even Patrick are gathered close by me, sipping champagne, laughing, and chatting with my clients who’ve become like family too. My most loyal, beautiful clients, every one of them showed up for me. For us.
A white cab pulls up out the front of the shop.
I stare, until I notice who’s in the car.
I freeze in place, absorbing what I’m seeing.
Dad.
He made it. Just in time.
The cab door swings open and he climbs out, tall and broad-shouldered, the sun catching on his tanned skin. He crosses the road in long, purposeful strides, his short dark hair ruffled by the breeze.
His hazel eyes find mine and suddenly I feel like a kid again.
He doesn’t say anything at first, he just pulls me into a big, crushing hug that lifts me off the ground a little. I sink into it, holding on tight.
I was already feeling emotional. But this? This tipped me right over the edge. I didn’t realise how much I’d missed him until now.
“Looks like I made it just in time, Bug,” he murmurs, his voice rough in that comforting way.
“You did.” I smile up at him, my eyes blurry, and he reaches down to wipe away the tear sliding down my cheek.
A gentle squeeze on my hand grabs my attention. Lucas is beside me, his other hand holding the scissors.
“I’m Lucas.”
“I’m Chris, nice to officially meet you Lucas. Now, should we get this thing started?”
Lucas meets my eyes. Soft, steady and proud.
“You ready, Angel?” he whispers.
I nod, blinking quickly.
“I wish she could be here too,” I say quietly.
“She is,” he says looking around. “And she’s probably losing her mind with how proud she is.”
That’s when Sarah claps her hands together, her voice rising above the chatter, loud and bright as always. “Alright, everyone! It’s time!”
She starts moving toward us, weaving through the crowd with her usual energy. But then she spots Dad. And for a moment, something flickers across her face—something I can’t quite put my finger on—she smooths it over with a smile.
Beside me, Dad goes still when he sees her.
Before I can overthink it, Lucas takes my hand and gently leads me toward the entrance to the salon. I step up to the ribbon stretched across the front door, Lucas at my side, his hand still wrapped around mine.
The crowd begins to count down.
“Three… two… one—”
I cut the ribbon.
They erupt in cheers and claps, laughter and love, and I smile through it all. Because for the first time in a long time, I feel like I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.
My heart is light. My soul feels steady. My past doesn’t hold me anymore. It shaped me, but it didn’t break me.
I walk back inside with the crowd and we all clink our glasses of champagne. All of them here to celebrate me.
I take a sip, and I think back to who I was not long ago. Lost. Burnt out. Afraid. Held down by someone else’s chaos.
Now?
Now I’m building a life I chose.
And it’s only just beginning.