Page 5 of Worth the Wait
“Can you? Because from where I’m sitting, you’ve been avoiding every opportunity your mother creates for you to meet appropriate women.” He retrieves his ball from the cup—another perfect shot—and gives me the look reserved for discussing disappointing quarterly reports. “Isabella isn’t justbeautiful, Cameron. Her family’s fashion empire has significant European connections. The kind of international relationships that could benefit Sterling Industries’ expansion plans.”
Business advantages disguised as romantic opportunities. It’s always about strategic positioning with my parents, about how personal relationships can serve broader family interests.
“Sterling Industries doesn’t need the Vitale family connections to succeed in European markets,” I say, finally sinking my putt on the third attempt. “We’ve been doing fine building our own international partnerships.”
“Doing fine isn’t the same as maximizing opportunities.” Dad’s voice takes on the patient tone he uses when explaining business strategy to someone he thinks isn’t quite grasping the bigger picture. “The Vitales move in the highest levels of European society. Isabella could open doors that take decades to access through conventional business development.”
We walk toward the seventh tee in silence, Dad clearly expecting me to appreciate the wisdom of his matchmaking efforts while I try to figure out how to shut down this conversation without revealing why I’m suddenly so resistant to their social engineering.
The truth is, seeing Lianne this morning reminded me exactly what I’d given up four years ago when I chose family approval over following my heart. She’d built an incredible business, established herself as one of the premier event planners in Los Angeles, created something meaningful from nothing while I was busy proving I could succeed independently of the family name.
And she’d done it all without me.
“Cameron?” Dad’s voice cuts through my brooding. “Are you planning to participate in this conversation, or should I assume you’re too distracted by whatever work crisis is consuming your attention?”
“Sorry.” I select a driver from my bag, though my mind is anywhere but on golf. “What were you saying about Isabella?”
“I was saying that some decisions affect more than just personal preference. Your position in the community, Sterling Industries’ reputation, the family’s business relationships—all of that matters when choosing a life partner.”
The same expectations that made me choose family approval over the woman who’d made me want to be a better man four years ago. Except this time, I’m not twenty-six and terrified of losing my inheritance. I’ve built Sterling Industries independently. I’ve proven I can succeed without their money or their influence.
And seeing Lianne today reminded me exactly what I’d sacrificed for their approval.
“I make my own decisions about who I date, Dad,” I say. “Sterling Industries keeps me busy enough.”
My phone buzzes with a text from Sharon, and I glance at it gratefully for the interruption.
Sharon Finnegan:
Contracts signed with Luminous Events. Jennifer says they’re ready to begin planning immediately given the compressed timeline. Need to schedule your first coordination meeting ASAP.
Luminous Events. Lianne’s company. The woman I’d been too young and too scared to fight for four years ago, who’d just walked back into my life because Morrison Events’ spectacular failure had created an opening neither of us could have predicted.
I stare at Sharon’s message, processing the reality that Lianne Peralta will be working directly with me for the next three months. Daily coordination meetings, vendor selection discussions, venue walkthroughs—all the intimate collaboration that goes into creating a celebration that represents everything Sterling Industries has accomplished.
Everything I’ve accomplished independent of family expectations and strategic social connections.
“Cameron?” Dad’s voice carries obvious impatience. “Are you planning to take your shot, or has that phone call derailed your concentration entirely?”
“Work emergency,” I say, pocketing my phone without responding to Sharon’s message. “What were you saying about Isabella?”
“I was saying that your mother has invested considerable time in maintaining relationships with families like the Vitales. Relationships that benefit all of us, not just your parents’ social calendar.” He pauses, studying my face with the analytical attention he usually reserves for business negotiations. “She’s beginning to worry that you’re deliberately avoiding these opportunities.”
“I’m focused on building Sterling Industries right now. Social obligations take time away from that.”
“Marriage isn’t a social obligation, Cameron. It’s a strategic partnership that enhances everything else you’re trying to accomplish.” Dad selects his club with the same careful consideration he brings to major investment decisions. “Isabella understands the world you inhabit. She knows how to navigate the social expectations, the business entertaining, the community involvement that comes with your level of success.”
The world I inhabit. As if my success requires a specific type of woman who can serve as appropriate window dressing for business functions and charity galas.
Four years ago, that argument terrified me because I wasn’t sure I could navigate that world successfully on my own. Now, I know I can. The question is whether I want to spend my life with someone who’s chosen for her ability to complement my professional obligations rather than challenge me to be better than I am.
My phone buzzes again, and this time I check it openly.
Sharon Finnegan:
Also, Miss Peralta’s assistant called. They want to schedule a venue walkthrough for tomorrow. How’s your calendar looking?
Miss Peralta. Lianne. Twenty-four hours before I see her again, this time without the buffer of Jennifer and Sidney, without the formal structure of a business presentation. Just the two of us, discussing flowers and catering and timeline management while trying to pretend we don’t have complicated history between us.
