Page 122 of Hold Me Instead
He shook his head. “Wait. We’re still discussing this. That Imightbuy into it.”
“There’s no more time.”
“What do you mean? That was only a week ago.”
“I needed to have the decision by the end of this month. It’s financially the best way for us to solve it, and to help us avoid some other issues. Additional taxes and late fees, that sort of thing. Your guy was very helpful.” He added the last statement reluctantly.
Zachary ran his fingers through his hair. “Dad, you should’ve talked to me about this. Charlie…” He hesitated.
“I already said I didn’t want her to carry the burden. This should remain in the family. And I certainly wasn’t going to discuss the Neptune offer with her, not when I know how she feels. There’ll be more opportunities for her. Better ones.”
“She wanted to buy into it, Dad. She was willing to share it with me.”
Daniel’s eyes widened. “You told her?”
Zachary paced.
Daniel grunted. “What, exactly, did you say?”
“The gist of it. That there was a hefty amount of debt, and you didn’t want to pass that onto her.”But would willingly give it to me.Again, he couldn’t put all the blame on his father when he’d been ill-advised. Plus, Zachary had bailed instead of being there for him, instead of what his dad had dreamed of for years.
Daniel waved a hand in the air. “That wouldn’t have been right. To start out like that.”
“How is it ‘right’ for me? Better her and I teaming up, tackling this together.”
“This was the smartest decision, Zachary. You’re back in town, and with how well things have been going in my absence, I figured you’d be staying.”
“But you didn’taskme if I was.”
Daniel was quiet, his blinks slow as he studied every inch of Zachary’s face. He asked softly, “Don’t you want to stay?”
The pain etched in his father’s face rattled him. “I hadn’t thought through it yet. It’s a big decision. Why doesn’t anyone see that?”
“Is it the practice?”
Zachary shook his head.
“Me? That’s why you left.” Daniel’s voice was strained.
“Dad, I left because I was getting married. I followed Anna to where she was from, because it was important to her. Yes, I put her plans first, no need to rehash all that bullshit. I recognize the choices I made.”
“You decided to work for her father.”
“It seemed like the right thing at the time.” He hesitated, scrubbed a hand through his hair. “Things worked out fine because, like you said, you had Charlie, so you didn’t need me here. You know what, though? At our wedding, during his speech? I hadn’t even told him ‘yes’ yet. Iwanted to be the one to tell you the news. That was my plan. I’m sorry for how that happened.”
Daniel was silent long enough for Zachary to replay his words. Then his dad shook his head.
“You staying here would’ve been me forcing you. But don’t think for a second that I wouldn’t have been thrilled to have you back. I’d always dre—” Daniel swallowed. “Working alongside you was something I’d looked forward to since you told me you wanted to be a veterinarian. Having you here now, I thought maybe it was time for you to come home.”
Zachary sighed. “I was let go, Dad.” He spread his arms wide. “I didn’t have anything to return to. Seemed like the right thing to do.”
“Oh, I see.” Daniel nodded slowly. “And now?”
“Well. I’m not necessarily looking forward to leaving.”
Daniel’s eyebrows raised slightly.
“I just need time to think through it all.”
