Page 91 of Can't Help Falling in Love
“William.” His father stopped in front of him. “I didn’t say anything because the damage was done but I did some digging. This girl’s creditis abysmal. She lives at home with her mother. They’ll likely lose their house in the next two years based on what I learned about her income and their expenses. For God’s sake. She was awaitress.”
His father shook his head in disgust, like he could shake the word off his being.
Will stared at the people who’d raised him, people he loved and respected. People who didn’t understand him at all and the feeling was mutual.
“Waitress, CEO, what the fuck is the difference?”
“Watch your mouth,” his father said at the same time his mother gasped his name.
“I really thought what Rachel said last week got through to you two. Let me restate it in my own words. It doesn’t matterwhatwe do, Dad. Our company is successful because ofwhowe are. Our customers come back because we stand by our products, because we believe in them. Because we make a commitment and stick with it. They know they can count on us and put stock in what they purchase from us. We’ve never been a bottom-line company. We’re about family and that’s what sets us apart.”
“Damn right it is,” his grandfather said from the doorway where he was leaning, hands tucked in the pockets of his suit pants. His gray hair was a little long, sweeping across his forehead. “The boy is right. You do what you love and everything else follows. You find someone you love and it doesn’t matter if they’re a waitress or a queen. You live life with your heart. It’s got nothing to do with other people’s perceptions. The reason Grand Babies and this family have succeeded is because we’re a real family, providing something other real families need.”
“I thought you were retiring. This has nothing to do with you, Dad,” Will’s father said.
His grandfather laughed, pushed off the doorframe. “It has everything to do with me. It’s my company, son. I’m not retiring untilthe new year and that doesn’t mean I won’t be around or that it’s not still mine. One day it’ll be yours and William’s and the girls’. And if you remember correctly, Jackson, I let you find your own way in this company, in your life. I didn’t make you follow some imaginary set of rules on how to exist in the social circle I deemed worthy of you.” His grandfather stepped closer to Will. “I was supposed to pair up with a completely different woman when I met your grandmother. It was a charity event, orchestrated by my mother and one of her friends. They had grand plans to set up their children. I didn’t care one way or another. I was there for the open bar, the dancing, and the flirting.”
“Dad,” Will’s father groaned, some of the energy draining out of his rigid posture.
His grandfather grinned. “But I took one look at your grandmother and that was it. My bachelor days were over. I didn’t even have a choice. Something about the way she looked at me hooked my soul for good. You know when you feel that. Don’t let yourself doubt it and for God’s sake, don’t be stupid enough to lose it trying to please any of us.”
Will laughed despite the fact that his parents looked shell-shocked. “Thanks, Gramps.”
“You’ve got good instincts, Will. Trust them.”
Will looked at his mom and dad. “She might not be who you would have chosen for me. But she’s who I choose for myself and I hope you’ll accept that. Accept her. Because I’m in love with her and my world won’t be right without her in it. I need to go.”
“This is ridiculous,” his father spat out.
His mother took her husband’s hand. “Not really. I was crazy about you for months before you finally asked me out. I’d like to think that even if I hadn’t come from money, you’d have fallen for me anyway.”
His father’s expression morphed. Softened. “What? Emily. Of course I would have. I’ve loved you for more than half of my life. AllI want is for all of you to be happy. To make you proud. To give you everything.”
She smiled up at him, putting her hand on his chest. “Love isn’t a business plan, sweetheart.” She looked at Will. “I want you happy. I tried to hurry it along.”
“There’s a whole song about that, isn’t there? About not hurrying love?” His grandfather grinned and started humming.
“She makes me happy, Mom.”
His mother came to him, wrapped her arms around his waist. “Then that’s all that matters. I’m sorry about how I behaved. How I pushed.”
“It’s okay. You’re right. Being happy, in the end, is all that really matters,” he agreed.
How could he get Lexi to realize that? That love didn’t care what you did for a living or who your parents were. That there were some things that couldn’t be faked. And when they were as real as what was between him and Lexi, a person ought to grab on tight and never let go.
He had a feeling that was the part she was most worried about. Having to let go. She was scared. So was he. But they’d have each other for the journey and that would make the fear bearable.
Thirty-nine
On a Saturday, six weeks earlier, Lexi had sat in this very spot and lied her ass off. As she waited for her guests to join her now, she kept her gaze down, not wanting to chat with Brett, who was clearing tables for one of the new waitresses. A petty part of Lexi enjoyed that she wasn’t very good. Because some things were harder than others and no one really knew what they’d be good at until they tried.
She missed Will with an intensity that terrified her. But until she could face herself in the mirror, she couldn’t be who he needed. Jackie and Becca came through the patio doors, joining her at the table she’d sat at with Will. She’d asked Brett if it was okay to pull a second table so there was room for the three of them.
“Finally,” Jackie said, leaning down to hug Lexi. “I thought you were going to put us off forever. Where did you go at the party? Did something happen?”
“I didn’t even get to see you. I’m sorry.” Becca removed her jacket, hung it on the chair. She too leaned down to hug Lexi.
“Don’t worry about it.” Lexi was just grateful no one had seen her dramatic exit.
