AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I’ve texted her, but she was busy today. I mistakenly assumed you had. But I’ll call her on my way home tonight.” For an explanation pulled out of his ass, it wasn’t half bad. And in a way, it was almost true. At least the part about him calling when he left. Hopefully she picked up his call.
“That’s good, because I wouldn’t want to think we are going to allow you to help her, when she might get hurt,” Roger said.
“Help?” He was puzzled.
“She told us that you were providing guidance as to what to do with Home Blown. She spoke very highly of your knowledge. We just wanted to have you over for dinner so we could get a better understanding as to what that meant. What your plans are for Home Blown. I am…surprised to learn that it isn’t the business that has your attention. It’s our daughter,” Roger said. “She is more precious and will always be more important to us than Home Blown. We hope you feel the same way.”
Her parents hadn’t invited him down to talk about Shanda? They wanted to ask about Home Blown? Oh, he could kick himself. There was no reason for him to divulge his feeling to them. It was on the table now. No going back. The truth was out. “I couldn’t agree with you more. Shanda is one of a kind.”
“Would you like some coffee and dessert?” Paula asked.
Roger said, “I think he has someplace to be, if I’m right.”
Kenneth nodded. “I do. Thank you again for dinner. I hope you both have a wonderful evening.”
Roger said, “I’ll walk you to your car.”
Kenneth knew that meant he was about to get the ‘don’t fucking hurt my daughter’ talk. Not that he’d ever come close to even having received the warning before. Kenneth would’ve actually needed to be involved on a more personal level with someone to have ignited such a reaction. Roger had good reason to be leery of Kenneth’s motives. Hell, if Kenneth had a daughter, he wouldn’t want someone like him anywhere near her. I’m not even close to being good enough for her.
Just because the lecture was well-deserved didn’t mean Kenneth had wanted to hear it. Normally he’d tell someone to fuck off if they tried to intimidate him. This was different. He’d listen for one reason: Roger was Shanda’s father.
Once outside, Roger asked, “Home Blown is never so busy that she couldn’t speak to you. What really is going on? And don’t waste my time by coming up with some lie. If I don’t like what I hear, I’m only going to call Shanda and ask her myself.”
Kenneth appreciated the chance to explain. Although he was surprised Roger was giving him one.
“We had dinner at my parents’ house last night. It didn’t go very well.”
“Why is that?” he asked.
“Although my mother may have tried, she was unsuccessful at making Shanda feel…comfortable.”
“She was rude to my daughter?” he glared angrily.
“No. Not intentionally. My family is different. From early on in life, my brothers and I knew what my parents wanted and expected of us.”
Roger crossed his arms and asked, “And they don’t believe Shanda fits into what they want?”
“I know she doesn’t,” Kenneth said firmly. He saw Roger’s jaw tense and his fist clench. He wasn’t scared that Roger was going to inflict any damage if they fought, but the hurt in Shanda wouldn’t heal. Kenneth quickly raised his hands and added, “Before you flip out, let me explain. It doesn’t have anything to do with Shanda’s character or anything like that. She’s…she’s an amazing woman. Yet my family is strictly driven by business. Even when it comes to their personal relationships.” It’s just another business decision. “Shanda isn’t like that at all. If she had only a dollar to her name, and someone needed it, Shanda would gladly hand it over.”
Roger stared at him, questioning if he could trust what was being said. None of it really painted him in a good light, so there was no reason why he shouldn’t. Finally Roger said, “You’re right, Shanda would. Charity, kindness, and thinking of others is bred into the Morris family. Probably even more so with Shanda because she spent a lot of time with my dad. We brought her up to believe each day is new, and a fresh start. If you have nothing when you go to bed, then get a good night’s rest so that in the morning, you’ll have the strength to work twice as hard for what you need or want. The only problem with Shanda is, I’m not sure she knows what she wants. And by looking at you, I’m not so sure you do either.”
He called that one right. He still had his goals, just they weren’t as clear as they had been a few weeks ago. He could blame Shanda for coming into his life and flipping it on its backside. But it wasn’t her fault. The question was, did he want to fix it? What did it matter if he landed the next huge deal, if Shanda wasn’t around to share it with?
So far, everything in his life had had a price. Money was never an issue when it came to getting what he wanted. But he knew her heart wasn’t for sale, and her love was priceless. How could he convince her of his feelings when he wasn’t sure what they were himself? Fuck, I’m not sure I’ll ever deserve such a gem. From the look in Roger’s eyes, he had his doubts as well.
“Roger, I wish I could promise you that I would never hurt Shanda. All I can say is, she means more to me than I ever expected. I’ll do everything in my power to make her happy.” Even if that means walking away.
“I’ll give you a chance to fix this with Shanda. Just before you do, I suggest you figure out what the hell you want first.” Roger turned and walked back into the house.
Kenneth got in his car, backed out of the driveway and pulled onto the road. All he wanted to do was call Shanda, go over, and hold her in his arms. He wanted to tell her he was sorry for last night. But what would sorry do? Nothing. They would end up making love and never talking. Not that he was big on deep conversations, but they did need to have one.
Tonight he was going home alone, because he had a lot of thinking to do.
I just hope tomorrow I know what to do. Not just for her sake, but for mine as well.He didn’t believe in soulmates, but she brought something into his life that he needed, even if he didn’t want it. And if he couldn’t figure out how to make it all work, then the truth was, she was better off without him.
