Page 59 of Up All Night

Her face filled with concern. “How do you deal with his constant disappointment? Your whole life is Vanderhall Capital, and he somehow still expects more.”

I let out a sigh. “Some days are easier than others.” I spun her out and back one more time. “And you have to remember—I’ve dealt with this my entire life. He has a hard time turning off the work part of his brain. I know he loves me in his own way and that he wants what’s best for me, which to him is being capable of running the company one day.”

“Is that what you want?” Her genuine question surprised me. “To eventually take over when your dad retires?”

“Yes, of course,” I answered without thinking.

She was quiet for a moment, searching my face.

Curious to know what she was thinking, I asked, “What?”

“Do you love your job and the company so much that you’re willing to put your life on hold?” Her voice held no judgment but was full of curiosity.

“I don’t feel like I’m putting my life on hold. My life is my work.” Maybe some people thought having their whole life be about their job was a bad thing, but that’s how I liked it.

A brief look of sadness crossed her face before she quickly replaced it with a smile. It had been so fast that I wasn’t sure if I’d misinterpreted her expression.

“Then I’m happy for you,” she said, her smile genuine. “Not everyone gets to live their dream life.”

Dream life. Was that what I was living? I liked my job. A lot. There wasn’t anything else I’d rather do. But was it my dream? I think so. Were there days that felt monotonous and hollow? Sure. But wasn’t that life?

I had a goal of taking over the family business, and I was willing to do whatever it took to make that a reality. Yes, I worked more hours than I would like, but sometimes you had to sacrifice to achieve your goals.

And what aboutyourpersonal life and goals?A voice whispered in the back of my head.

I quickly pushed that thought away. That could come later.

I returned my attention back to Halle. We’d both gone somewhere in our own heads, and she now had a defeated and faraway look in her eyes. Remembering her dream life comment, I wondered if she was feeling like she’d never get hers.

After looking over her plans to start her own dance studio, there was no doubt in my mind that Halle could do it. She had everything she needed to make her dreams come true.

“Hey.” I reached out and gently used my hand to lift her chin so she was looking at me. “You’re going to be living your dream life soon. Your business plan is well executed, and the bank is going to love your pitch. And if they happen to be on the fence about it, a few minutes with you will have them wanting to give you the loan just because they like you so much.”

“You’re just saying that to be nice.”

“Me? Nice?” I joked.

She laughed. “I forgot who I was talking to.”

“I mean it, Halle. I have complete faith in you—that this is going to work out.” And that was the truth.

She stared up at me, and I couldn’t tell if she was looking at me in gratitude or if she was looking at me like an alien had abducted my body. Likely both. I didn’t blame her for wondering about my one-eighty turnaround, but I never should have let my annoyance at my neighbor give me any reason to be a jerk. That wasn’t me. Sometimes I lost sight of things in life because my work tunnel vision blinded me to everything else.

Kind of like my dad.

That thought had me shuddering. My dad was a good guy and all, and though I wanted to be able to fill his shoes when it came to the company, but I never wanted to be the kind of person who lost sight of who they truly were because of work. And yet, I had done that exact thing to Halle.

Silence stretched between us, until finally she spoke, bringing me back to the present. “Thank you.”

I didn’t deserve her thanks. She had done everything on her own, but before I could say as much, I felt a tap on my shoulder.

Turning, I came face to face with Cannon.

“Sorry to interrupt,” he said. “The Andersons were hoping to speak with you tonight.” He nodded to where they sat at a table close by.

Halle stepped out of my arms, and I already missed the warmth of holding her close. “Duty calls.”

“Right.”

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