22. Demi
Idid it. I’d made it nine days.
I felt as proud and accomplished as if I had run a marathon. Yeah, I hadn’t run 26.2 miles, but I had lasted nine days with the sexiest man alive without crossing or blurring any lines. Really, I felt like what I had done was more impressive.
Cannon and I had been able to get back to how things were before Lake Tahoe, but it had taken one day at a time. It had helped me to know I’d hopefully be moving out soon. Every morning I’d remind myself, only five more days or only two more days. Things would be so much easier between us once we weren’t living together.
The four of us, West, Halle, Cannon, and me, arrived at my parents’ house together, with what I assumed were all different levels of anxiety. Dinner at the Vanderhalls’ was always a bit nerve wracking.
“Hey, look,” West said, as he parked the car. “Isn’t that your grandfather’s Mercedes?”
“Yep,” Cannon said with a grin.
It had been several months since Kenneth had come to a family dinner, and I knew Cannon would be excited to see him.
“Did you know he was coming?” I asked.
“No, I didn’t.”
We all got out of the car and headed inside. My mom and Juju greeted us. My mom clucked around us all like a mother hen, happy her kids were home. Juju yipped and wagged her tail in all the excitement. A dread settled in my stomach at the thought of seeing my dad, of spending the evening with him scrutinizing my recent life decisions.
I’d tossed and turned last night thinking of Cannon, obviously, but also about what I had to do today. Talking with my dad had always been hard for me, even when things were good between us—-a.k.a. when I was sticking to the plan he’d laid out for my life.
But it was time to clear the air. He had kicked me out of the house five weeks ago, and I hoped his anger had subsided during our time apart. My dad wasn’t an awful person, but he struggled to remember what was most important. He loved his work and his company, but at the end of the day, he loved me too, in his own way, and would do anything for me. I just had to remember that and hope it would give me courage to talk to him and get him to understand where I was coming from and why I’d made the decision to go off on my own.
“Come in, come in,” my mom said, motioning for us to head toward the dining room. “Dinner is ready.”
As we turned the corner into the dining room, my father and Kenneth were standing, waiting for us to join them, and I was sure they were talking business, as usual. Cannon’s grandfather stood tall in a dark blue suit, his white hair still full and nicely combed, his shoulders held back with impeccable posture. He looked every bit the wealthy and proper businessman.
“Cannon, my boy,” his grandfather said, a smile on his face.
Cannon made his way to him, and as I watched them embrace, I couldn’t help the way my eyes pricked with tears. After hearing about his childhood and how much his grandfather had helped him, my heart squeezed at the sight. I made a mental note to thank his grandfather for taking Cannon in and giving him the life he deserved.
“I didn’t know you were going to be here,” Cannon said.
“I wanted to surprise you. Everyone loves a good surprise,” he said. “And to be honest, I wasn’t sure I could swing it. I am off to the airport first thing in the morning. I’m headed to London and will be there for the next few weeks.”
He then made his way over to me, giving me a smile. “Demi, it’s good to see you.” He pulled me into a hug.
“It’s good to see you too,” I smiled, hugging him back.
Kenneth wasn’t known for being a touchy man, but he seemed to have a soft spot when it came to me. He’d always treated me like family.
“Please, everyone, sit. Then we can all get caught up,” my mom said, as she took her seat at one end of the table.
I sat down in my usual seat with Cannon to my right, his grandfather sitting across from him with my dad in the middle, at the end of the table. West and Halle had been moved down to make room for Kenneth.
“We’re so glad you’re here, Kenneth.” My mom smiled. “It’s been way too long since we’ve had the privilege of having you over for dinner.”
“The privilege is all mine, Rose. I’m sorry I’ve been away so much.” He took a quick sip of his wine. “I thought being retired and being on the boards of directors of some of my companies wouldn’t be as time consuming, but I think it’s worse.”
“It doesn’t help that you also keep consulting on the side,” Cannon chimed in with a pointed look, but he was smiling.
He shrugged one shoulder. “I have a hard time turning down a good opportunity, and most of the time it’s for a friend or a friend of a friend. I don’t mind.” He tipped his wine glass toward my dad. “Guys like me and Victor will never truly retire. Work is in our blood. It’s who we are. Am I right?”
“Truer words have never been spoken,” my dad agreed, lifting his glass to tap it against Kenneth’s.
Two servers came out, placing plates of chicken cordon bleu with au gratin potatoes and green beans in front of each of us. My mom’s dog, Juju, went straight to Halle’s side, knowing she would give her the most scraps.
We settled into easy conversation, mostly surrounding business. Victor updated Kenneth on what had been going on at Vanderhall Capital, and Kenneth updated us on his many travels across Europe and Asia.
Once business talk was taken care of, conversation turned to our personal lives.
“West,” Kenneth said, after hearing how West and Halle had gotten together. “I’m not sure how you got this beautiful and brilliant woman to be yours, but I’m happy for you.” He clapped West on the shoulder, a proud look on his face.
“Thank you,” West said, taking Halle’s hand that had been resting on the table. “I’m not sure how I got her either. It was probably my uncanny ability to plan and schedule.” He winked at her.
She rolled her eyes but laughed. “Something like that.”
We all chuckled. It was clear to all of us sitting at the table that they were crazy about each other.
My dad set down his fork and looked at Cannon and then Kenneth. “Has Cannon been regaling you with any stories of the women that take up his time?” I could tell by the twinkle in his eye that he was teasing Cannon.
“No, actually,” Kenneth said, swinging his attention to Cannon. “He’s been very quiet on that front as of late.”
“Tell us, Cannon,” my dad gave him a friendly tap on the arm. “Have you found a woman yet who captures your attention? I’d think by now you’d have dated most of the women in the city,” he joked.
Cannon choked on his food, hurrying to take a sip of wine to help him recover.
I couldn’t help how my stomach rolled at the reminder of all the women Cannon had dated.
“Um, actually,” he said, still working to clear his throat. “There is a woman I’m interested in.” His voice was hesitant as he kept his eyes on his plate.
The teasing moment evaporated, and a silence filled the room, a ripple of shock seeming to go through all of us.
How many dinners had we sat here together and teased Cannon about how he went from woman to woman, never dating them more than a few times? It had become a family joke over the years.
I looked around the table, and each person had a different level of shock on their face. All except Halle, who wore a mischievous grin. I gave her a quizzical look, wondering what that was about, but her eyes were still on Cannon. Everyone was still looking at Cannon. I assumed they were all waiting to see if he would expound or tell us all it was a joke, that we should have seen our faces.
But he did neither.
In the silence that remained, I tried to figure out what he’d meant when he said he’d found someone he was interested in. He was talking about me, right? Although, surely he wouldn’t bring it up at family dinner. He’d told me repeatedly that he didn’t want anything to happen between us except for friendship. And if he was changing his mind, wouldn’t he have told me first?
But it couldn’t be someone else, could it? It had been two weeks since we’d come home from Lake Tahoe, which was plenty of time for him to have met someone new. Especially with how often he went to The Bridger. I’d watched multiple women approach him over my last several shifts. He’d never seemed too interested, though, and never talked to the same girl twice.
But over the last nine days, we’d definitely gone back to our friend ways. There had been no heated moments, no almost-kisses, no confessions. My heart beat fast at the realization that there was a possibility he wasn’t talking about me. I worked to school my features, not wanting anyone to see the hurt that streaked through me at just the thought. Cannon wouldn’t be bringing up a girl to my family and his grandfather if it wasn’t something serious.
My brain raced to remember if he had ever hinted at there being a new woman in his life, but I couldn’t think of anything. I was grasping at straws, trying to understand what he could possibly be talking about.
“Well, tell us about her,” my dad said, finally finding his voice. He seemed genuinely curious and happy.
“Uh, well,” Cannon stammered, straightening his silverware.
Was he nervous? He never got nervous. He was always so confident and sure of himself. We all continued to stare, waiting for him to continue.
“She’s beautiful, smart, kind, funny.” He let out a small smile. “We get along great, but…” His voice dropped, and there was another silence.
“But what?” Kenneth asked.
Cannon took a big breath, letting it out as he placed his napkin on the table, officially done eating. “Well, for starters, I’m pretty sure her family won’t approve.”
“What?” my dad’s loud voice filled the room. “That’s ridiculous. Who wouldn’t approve of having a charming, successful, hard-working guy like you? Do they know you graduated from Stanford? That you work at a prestigious company and are one of the best venture capitalists in the city?”
Cannon rubbed the back of his neck. “Yeah, I guess, but what about…”
“What about what?” my dad asked, sounding annoyed that anyone would think Cannon wasn’t good enough.
Cannon chanced a glance at my dad, his voice quiet. “What about where I come from? Or that I’ve dated so much?” His large stature seemed to shrink with each question, like that boy from so long ago had replaced the man we were so used to seeing.
My heart went out to him, and before I realized what I was doing, my hand settled on his arm. I wasn’t sure who exactly he was talking about, but even if it wasn’t me, my heart didn’t care. All I could think about was being there for Cannon, regardless of his feelings for me.
Kenneth looked between Cannon, me, and where my hand rested on his arm. For a second it had me wanting to pull away, like I had been caught red-handed in my feelings for Cannon, but I couldn’t seem to take my hand away. My body automatically responded to him, whether it was to comfort him or to maul him or anywhere in between.
My dad sat back in his chair, his face softening as he looked at Cannon. “You know that I do not get sentimental often, but you are as much a son to me as if I were your true father. And as such, I’ve had the opportunity over the last ten years to get to know the amazing man you’ve become, despite your past. And that is all it is—your past. Don’t let it define you now. Any woman would be lucky to have you, and her family would be blessed to have you join it.”
The heaviness that Cannon carried on his shoulders seemed to lift. Surprise and…something else filled his features. I let my hand drop from his arm, sensing that a lot of his worry had eased with my father’s words.
“Thank you, Victor.”
My dad nodded. “Now, I expect you to bring this lovely lady with you to our work party on Friday night.” His authoritative boss voice had come out, and when he used that tone, there was no going against it.
“Yes, sir.”
I still wasn’t sure who this conversation was about. I was pretty sure it was about me. Or it could have been about someone else. But I really hoped it was me.
Cannon had told me my dad and brother were two of the obstacles standing in the way of us being together, but they weren’t the only obstacles. So if he had been talking about me, and this hurdle was now behind us, that didn’t mean he was ready to be in a relationship. I didn’t want to get my hopes up again and have them crash and burn.
“Glad we got that figured out,” my dad said, like this was another business meeting but about family matters. He glanced down the table at my mother and then turned to me. “Demi, I hear you are enjoying hair school and working at a…bar.” I could tell it was hard for him to bring up this topic, and that he wasn’t thrilled I was working at a bar.
Before I had a chance to respond, Kenneth spoke up. “Demi, I’m so proud of you. Cannon’s told me how much you have been enjoying your classes. I think it’s admirable to set off on one’s own path.”
I chanced a quick glance at my dad, who was looking down at his hands in his lap, almost as if he were ashamed. “Thank you,” I said to Kenneth.
“Cannon also mentioned that you want to open up your own salon, is that right?” he asked.
“Yes.” I answered. “After I graduate, I’ll work at a salon for a while, and once I’ve built up my client list, I’ll get to work on a business plan to run my own salon.”
He smiled warmly at me. “So then your business degree can go to work. That knowledge will be invaluable as you start your own business. If you ever need any consulting, just give me a call.”
I smiled. “Thanks, Kenneth. That’s very kind of you.”
“I hate to eat and run, but I do have to get up early for my flight tomorrow,” he said. “Before I go, Cannon, can I speak with you for a moment out on the terrace?”
“Yes, of course.” Cannon pushed back his seat and waited for his grandfather before heading outside.
As soon as they left, I mustered up the courage to finally say what I needed to say. “Dad,” I said, pushing my shoulders back. “Can I please talk to you in private?”
He seemed taken aback by my request but nodded. “Of course. Let’s go to my office.”
From the dining room to his office wasn’t too far of a walk, and my nerves had me wishing it were longer.
Relax, this is your dad you’re talking to, I tried to remind myself.
He shut the door behind us and took a seat behind the large desk, while I took a seat in one of the plush armchairs in front of it.
“What would you like to discuss?” he asked.
It was like I was in a job interview or having a meeting with my boss. I took a deep breath and let it out, working to relax my racing heart.
“Dad,” I began, hoping that reminding both of us that he was my dad and not my employer would help us talk things out. “I’m sorry I dropped out of the last semester of my MBA program at Stanford. I realize it was a rash decision and that the smarter route would have been to have either told you earlier I wasn’t interested in that career path, or to have finished the program and then told you I didn’t want to be a venture capitalist. I know it’s hard for you to understand that I don’t want to join the family business and that I want to have a career doing hair and owning my own salon, especially since I never expressed those interests to you before.” I sat up straighter. “But I’d really like to have your support. I don’t want our relationship to be strained. I think we both could have handled things differently five weeks ago, and I’m hoping we can move past this.”
There. I’d said it. Almost word-for-word as I had practiced over the last several nights while I’d lain in bed unable to sleep.
“Oh, Demi.” His shoulders drooped. “There are no words for how much I regret how I acted five weeks ago. I never should have gotten so angry. I was just so surprised. I didn’t understand where any of it was coming from. And then hearing that you didn’t want to join me at Vanderhall Capital was a blow I hadn’t been prepared for.” He leaned forward on his desk. “Not that any of that excuses my behavior. I’m sorry you felt like you couldn’t come to me and tell me how you feel.” He rubbed both of his temples. “Both of my children have felt like they couldn’t come to me when they were struggling.” He looked back at me, his eyes watery. “For that, I am truly sorry.”
I reached out across his desk and took his hand. “Thanks, Dad.” I squeezed his hand gently.
He stood, keeping hold of my hand as he pulled me around to join him, bringing me into a hug. “I love you, Demi. I’m proud of you for working hard to fulfill your dream. And I want you to know that I support you one hundred percent.” He pulled back, holding me by the shoulders and looking me in the eyes. “If you need anything, all you have to do is ask.”
I nodded, feeling my eyes start to water as well. I blinked back the tears, not wanting to cry. I had one more thing I needed to ask him, although the prospect of it wasn’t appealing.
“Okay, well there is one thing,” I admitted.
“What is it?”
“Would it be okay if I moved back in with you and mom for a month? I think by then I’ll have enough money to get my own place,” I asked sheepishly.
“Of course,” he said, almost like he was happy about the idea. “Are things not working out living at West’s?”
“Uh, well.” I headed back to the chair I’d been sitting in earlier. “West has kind of moved in with Halle so that I can have his room, which has left just me and Cannon, and well, I think I’m cramping his lifestyle.”
That wasn’t exactly the truth, but it was the closest thing I could think of to explain the situation I was in. There was no way I was telling my dad I couldn’t keep living with Cannon because I was pretty sure I was in love with him and he had no interest in being in a relationship with me. Gosh, just thinking about it was rough, let alone saying it out loud.
His gaze was skeptical, but he didn’t remark on what I’d said. “You’re welcome here anytime. I promise to never kick you out again.”
A swell of relief overcame me. The much-needed space from Cannon was now within my reach. I wouldn’t have to live constantly trying to make sure I didn’t show my feelings for him.
“Thank you so much,” I said. “I won’t be able to move all my stuff back for a few days because of classes and work.”
“There’s no timeline, just whenever it works for you,” he said with a smile.
I stood up to go back and join the rest of the group for dessert, when my dad’s voice stopped me in the doorway.
“Oh, and make sure you have a dress for the work party on Friday night.”
My brows creased. A dress for the work party? I wasn’t planning on going since I wouldn’t be joining the company any longer, but maybe he just wanted his family there. My dad loved keeping up with appearances, and I shouldn’t have been surprised he wanted to show off his “perfect little family.” Instead of asking him why he wanted me there and risking ruining the great moment we’d just had, I kept my mouth shut. In the grand scheme of things, going to a party for my dad wasn’t a big deal. I’d been to so many during my life, what was one more?
“Uh, okay,” I said slowly, and then left his office, still finding it odd he wanted me to attend the company party.