One day not long after her father's funeral, Lucy found herself on a windswept cliff studying a shuttered, abandoned restaurant. Not just any restaurant — it was attached to one of the country's oldest lighthouses. Quinn had found it; an improbable but romantic site for their new place. There'd be challenges, difficult ones. It was a crazy idea. But not impossible.

Lucy had walked the perimeter, dodging the spray of the waves and carefully avoiding the black rocks. You never went on the black rocks. Everyone in Port Ross knew that from growing up in a place that was basically a large splinter of land jutting out into the water. The large, dark stones were the ones closest to the sea. Many people ignored posted warnings over the years and found themselves drenched by a surprise wave. Years ago, someone had even been tragically swept out to sea by a rogue wave on an otherwise calm day.

Luckily, that hadn't happened for a long time; most people were more cautious now than when she was a kid. She and her partners would take every precaution to make sure their patrons were safe. She'd need to check with lawyers on potential liability if, God forbid, anything happened.

She was a worrier by nature, so the wildness of the place gave her pause but not enough to quash the idea. Besides, the rugged beauty of the location would set them apart — it was key to their success. The ancient tourist trap that used to operate there was their main competitor when she was younger; drawing the majority of tourists away from their own family restaurant with its iconic lighthouse and stunning, unpredictable ocean. Her father blamed the place for their restaurant's eventual fall from popularity. It seemed fitting somehow that she would buy and make it her own after all those years. She felt her father would approve, somehow.

The structure was weathered, and it would need a lot of work to get it up to code, but the place had enormous potential. She saw families at the picnic table area, taking pictures at sunset, couples enjoying sunlit cocktails inside and watching the waves dance in the distance.

She called Quinn on the spot and told him he was right — it was perfect. Leon was already on board as a partner in the business; she just needed one more person: Marnie. Her best friend from high school and tough-as-hell single mom had put herself through grad school, recently receiving her master of finance degree. She was perfect to run the business end of things, and Lucy knew she'd run a tight ship. Lucy would be general manager and the face of the business, handling promotion, day-to-day problems large and small, and front-of-house during service. Quinn and Leon would run the kitchen and the newly established Sea Glass Breweries, an onsite craft brewery.

With four equal partners on board, the business was born and quickly began to prosper.

Despite Lucy's objections, she was voted down and the new place was christened Lucy's Return to capitalize on the publicity and goodwill of her previous restaurant. She wanted a name that reflected all four partners, but her previous restaurant had already been featured on national TV. As Marnie pointed out, she was already well-known in the province and beyond. Lucy finally conceded that it made sense, as long as they'd be equal partners in all other aspects of the business. And they were.

She couldn't believe she was looking at the same spot, completely refurbished in an elegant yet understated design to let the natural elements take centre stage — the vast and constantly changing ocean, just outside the large windows. In the summer, they ran tours of the reconstructed lighthouse, the oldest one in the Maritimes.

The dining room was filled to capacity with patrons enjoying their meals, accompanied by soft lighting and the jazz she chose for the evening's soundtrack. She felt pride in all they had accomplished together over the past year, this restaurant almost literally rising from the ashes of her last one.

It was a night of celebration, but she couldn't help but think of the restaurant she lost in the fire and all that had happened since then. After being dumped by her ex, Trent, it was the place where she made new connections and found her footing as a boss, only to have it burned to the ground by her father and cousin in a reckless attempt to cash in on the insurance money. It was also where she met Quinn.

Being on a reality TV show called Canada's Worst Restaurant was the last thing she wanted back then. Falling for the host was a complication she never expected. At least something good came out of the terrible experience.

Lucy's father didn't know she was inside when he and her cousin Vincent pulled the trigger on their dangerous scheme. She would have died were it not for Quinn's brother, Aiden, who got her out of the burning building just in time.

She couldn't believe that was a year ago. The guilt from the fire drove her father over the edge and she was still feeling the devastating effects of what happened, physically and emotionally. The one bright spot in the horrible year was that she and Quinn were solid, growing closer every day.

She still had the occasional bouts of jealousy; anyone would. She saw the way women looked at Quinn. Wherever they went, he turned heads and it bothered her. But she never let him know. It wasn't his fault. He was famous, jacked and astonishingly gorgeous, with a boyish charm that was irresistible to anyone who crossed his path. Of course, people noticed him when he walked into the room. After more than a year together, she was trying to believe the improbable fact that he only had eyes for her.

"You're miles away," Marnie said as she passed by. Lucy took a moment to pause during the busy dinner shift on closing night to get herself a glass of sparkling water from the bar. She ended up staring into space as her mind wandered and her calves throbbed from running around the restaurant all night.

"Does anyone need anything?"

"No, everything's fine. People are winding down their meals, we'll be closing soon."

Lucy smiled. "Did you ever think we'd be able to pull it off?

"Nope," Marnie said, looking around. "This past year has been a dream come true. And I have some ideas to come back even stronger next spring."

Suddenly, there was a loud bang and a sharp cry. Lucy flinched, her hand flying to her mouth. Her heart seemed to instantly speed up to 1,000 beats per minute.

"Are you alright?" Marnie said, putting her hand on Lucy's shoulder. Her voice sounded far away.

Lucy took a deep, cleansing breath. She remembered something Keith told her about how to calm down when stressed; she pressed her feet into the floor one by one. She looked up, noting with relief that the sound came from a popped a bottle of champagne. For a second, she was right back in the cottage with her father, her knees shaking when he fired the gun. It was the loudest sound she'd ever heard.

"I'm fine. Too much coffee tonight, I think," she said. "I have to check on something. I'll be right back." She headed quickly to the back office, needing to be alone. Needing Quinn.

She called him, but it went straight to voice mail. She quickly checked and saw that he hadn't read her last three messages. It was strange, he typically responded right away, especially when he was travelling. A tendril of fear coiled in her belly.

She was being stupid. Lucy knew if anything was going to come between them it was her own insecurity, something she was trying to get a handle on. Her heart was still hammering, and she put her face in her hands and tried to cool down. The moment she closed her eyes, she was back in the cabin again on that awful day, a year before.

"Get out, Peanut. I mean it. I'll shoot." Her Dad, the one who once pushed her on the backyard swing, took her jigging for mackerel down at the wharf and taught her how to change a tire, was pointing a gun right at her. She couldn't believe he would threaten such a thing while calling her the sweet nickname he'd created when she was still in the womb. The second thought that went through her mind in that awful moment was that he was completely full of shit.

"I'm not going anywhere," she said calmly. "So, if you're going to shoot me, go ahead."

His hand trembled, and finally dropped. "Go on, get going," he snarled. "There's nothing for you here."

"Dad come with me. We'll get you into rehab again. The courts will go easy on you, you're a senior. Don't do this..."

Her father's face changed suddenly. Grief contorted quickly into rage and she felt a sudden, deep dread at whatever he was about to say. She was right to be afraid.

"The last of the guests are leaving. You sure you're up for a staff party?" Marnie poked her head in the office, snapping Lucy out of her memories. She realized her hands were shaking; she dropped them into her lap so Marnie wouldn't see. "It's too bad Quinn couldn't make it."

"He's having trouble finding a new chef; he wanted to be back days ago. He says the candidates are all hipster d-bags." She couldn't help but smile, imagining Quinn interviewing young show-offs with more ego than talent; barely able to hide his annoyance. "I am definitely up for a party. We've earned it."

"Good. Don't worry, he'll text you," Marnie said, reading her mind.

Quinn had been off the grid for hours. She tried not to read too much into it or imagine what he was doing. Or who he was doing it with.

Girl, stop. She was being foolish. She rose from her chair and slapped her hands on the desk. "Alright, enough. Time to celebrate!"

The last of the guests were putting their coats on and heading out into the bitterly cold night. Once the Open sign flipped to Closed, the wait staff began bringing out platters of bacon-wrapped scallops, charcuterie, pear crostini and Claire's signature mushroom risotto croquettes for the staff.

"To all of you," Marnie said, raising a glass as they tucked in. "And to my partners, including Lucy, who hates having her name on the sign. But you have to admit, it did draw in customers!" Lucy raised her glass grudgingly. "You were right, Marnie. About a lot of things." Everyone cheered and toasted their shared success.

Lucy was pleased to see the staff enjoying themselves; they'd worked hard over the past year and pulled together as a team. They had made so much money, they were able to send them off with a decent bonus, which also made her feel better about closing for four months. They had done well, but with the tourists gone, it wouldn't be worth it to keep the place open through the winter months in terms of overhead. They'd continue with the brewery operations, Quinn and Leon had brokered a deal to have it available in liquor stores and bars throughout the province.

The only thing missing from the party was Quinn. She checked her phone again for the hundredth time that night. No missed texts calls or messages.

"Stop fretting," Marnie said.

"I know," she said. "I just miss him."

"I know," Marnie said.

The party broke up and one by one, the staff said their goodbyes and headed off into the night. Finally, it was just she and Marnie and the leftovers of a bottle of a very good white wine.

"So, what's wrong?" Marnie's gaze was unflinching. Lucy could never bullshit her best friend.

"I just miss him, that's all. And that's a problem."

Marnie poured herself a glass and frowned. "What do you mean?"

"I'm starting to rely on him, Marnie."

Marnie stared openly at her friend. "And?"

"And, I'm not used to that. Trent was an asshole, but at least I knew that. I didn't expect any better of him, so I was never disappointed. Quinn is just... "

"Perfect?" Marnie sipped her wine.

"Well, yeah!"

"Enjoy it, girlfriend. 'Cause there are a lot of women out there ready to snap him up."

Don't I know it. "That's what I'm afraid of." Lucy rested her face on her hand. Just then, her phone buzzed. She glanced at it and was filled with relief when she saw the long text.

"It's him. He was tied up all day interviewing chefs. He said the last one was named 'ZIP.' All capital letters." She looked up from her phone, laughing.

Marnie smiled in return. "When is he back?"

"Probably not until early next week." It seemed like forever, when it was only a few days away.

"Hop on a plane and go see him," Marnie said simply.

Lucy scoffed. "What, and just drop everything? I've got so much to do." It was a crazy idea.

"Do you?" Marnie sipped her wine.

She thought about it. Since the restaurant was closing, she didn't really have anything pressing. She just closed off a huge contract for a marketing client and was at loose ends with her consultancy business. Maybe it wasn't so crazy after all.

"New York City is what, like a three-hour plane ride away? What else do you have to do this weekend? Everything is under control here; Leon and I will tie up any loose ends. "

"Besides closing up shop, nothing," she said, thinking.

"So, go. And wear something slutty."

Lucy almost choked on her wine. "Marnie!"

"Go surprise your man and rock his world."

Lucy sat back in her chair. There was nothing really stopping her. The airport was an hour away, she had time on her hands and money in the bank.

Alright, then.