Page 48 of Why Not Forever?
“Hello, everyone,” he says. “I got a call from Liam a few minutes ago. He said he’s pretty tired after working all day, so he’s going to skip dinner tonight. He’ll see us in two weeks.”
I roll my eyes, but say nothing.
The waiter comes and takes our orders. We chat about business. Mom brings up babies again and Dad is on her side. Tanner shuts them down quickly, though, repeating that he doesn’t want kids any more than I do. I appreciate his support in this, even though I’m not really sure if he’s being serious or just having my back.
“Didn’t I hear that Spencer’s wife is pregnant?” Dad asks after the waiter leaves our food.
“Yes,” I say. “Lis is about five months now. Adalie is also pregnant. She’s just started telling more people. She’s about three months.”
“Adalie is your HR manager?” he asks now.
I refrain from sighing in annoyance, opting to take a sip of wine instead. “HRDirector. Also, one of my best friends. She was my bridesmaid at my wedding.”
“What does her husband do?”
I don’t bother to correct him that they’re not married yet, partly because they will be by the end of next year, and partly because it’s none of his business.
“He and his brother own Hops Scotch Brewery.”
Dad nods. “Breweries are doing well right now. It’s a good market.” He turns to Tanner. “We should add one to our list of companies to consider for next week’s planning meeting. See if we want to expand the portfolio in that direction.”
Tanner dips his chin in acknowledgment, but doesn’t respond otherwise.
“I’m sure he’s glad his wife is giving him a child to carry on his legacy,” Dad says before taking a bite of his steak.
“That wasn’t as subtle as you thought it was, Dad,” I tell him, my voice as dry as the Sahara. “Besides, Nate already has a daughter tocarry on his legacy, if that’s what he wants.”
Dad shakes his head in a way that says I’m being foolish. “Daughters don’t carry on legacies, Victoria. They get married and change their names to their husbands’ name. They help carry onhislegacy.”
“Of course,” I say. “My mistake.” Tanner should hear the sarcasm in my voice, but my parents won’t.
Mom drums her fingers on the table, eyeing me in that critical way of hers. “This idea that you don’t want children doesn’t have anything to do with,” she lowers her voice and looks around the restaurant, “all that bisexual business, is it? Because you’re married to Tanner now, so it’s all irrelevant.”
I close my eyes in a bid for patience. “First of all, no. It has nothing to do with the fact that I’m bisexual. In fact, Lis’ sister Daze is pregnant right now. She andher wifeare happily expecting a baby around the same time as Adalie is.” We’d found out last night at the party when she was drinking the same thing as Lis and Adalie. “Secondly, just because I’m married to Tanner doesn’t make me any less bisexual. My sexuality doesn’t change if I’m with a man or a woman.”
“Really, darling, do you have to be so… loud about it?”
I clench my teeth and repeat to myself over and over that I don’t care what she thinks. I haven’t cared for a long time. I’m only here because it’s easier than the alternative of having her camp out in my living room until I do what she wants.
Then a hand touches my back, and I look over at Tanner, who’s watching me. I can read the question in his eyes.Do you want to leave?
He doesn’t say the words out loud, but somehow, I know I could stand up right now and he would be with me. I could kiss him for that. I smile and shake my head, very slightly so only he notices. Then, he changes the subject, asking Dad about a property.
Apparently, they’re having some trouble with the acquisition of this property. It’s a restaurant in Whistler next to the spa that Sterling Properties already owns. They’ve been having difficulties coming to an agreement with the current owner on the appliances.
“I told him he can take them with him if he wants, since I’d be replacing them all, anyway. But if he does, I’m going to be knocking a few thousand off the offer price.”
I nod. “It would probably be easier to do it that way, anyway. When Blue Vista bought those two restaurants, they came with the appliances. Lis said none of them were up to the standards we have at the Vancouver venue. Selling them after the fact was a huge hassle I wish we hadn’t taken on.”
“Mm,” Dad says.
“What?” I ask.
“Nothing, it’s just your little venue business isn’t as complicated as Sterling. There’s so much more involved with—”
Tanner stands with a sigh. “We’re done here,” he says, taking my hand, so I rise with him.
“What is this about, Tanner?” Dad asks.
