Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 82165 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82165 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
He sighed. “I had a feeling it was coming. When your father found out you were settling with Parker, he nearly blew a fuse. I thought if I could talk to you before the meeting, you would be prepared.”
“Well, I wasn’t prepared, and the meeting was at nine this morning.”
He nodded. “I thought it was at two this afternoon.”
I set my briefcase down on the desk and looked at him. “Why in the world would you think it was at two?”
“Because that was what your father said in my meeting with him yesterday evening.”
“He lied.”
Jim let out a snort of laughter. “No kidding, he lied. Now what?”
I sat in my chair and slowly shook my head. “I don’t know.”
Looking confused, Jim asked, “What do you mean you don’t know?”
I turned and looked out my window to see the small bit of Central Park. “Did I ever tell you when I was in high school I wanted to write crime novels?”
“Um, no, I can’t say you did.”
I smiled as I looked at Jim. We had met in law school, and he was hired here at the firm based on my referral. He billed almost as much as I did, and my mother and father adored him for that simple fact.
“The only reason I became a lawyer is because I knew it would make my parents happy.”
“That’s not new news.”
I laughed. “No, I guess it isn’t. My dream was to become a writer, though.”
Jim adjusted himself in his seat. “Is there a point to all of this?”
My phone buzzed, and I hit it. “Did you get her?”
“Yes, she’s on the line, Mr. Carter.”
“Thanks so much, Betty. Go ahead and take the rest of the day off, paid.”
There was a moment of silence on the line before she asked, “I’m sorry. Did you tell me to take the rest of the day off?”
“Yes, paid. Just put in that you were running errands for me. Go get yourself a massage or do something for yourself. Enjoy the day—fulfilling moments like this are hard to come by.”
Jim raised a brow.
“My daughter has a school play this afternoon.”
“Perfect, then. I’ll see you in the morning. Before you leave, cancel the rest of my meetings today.”
“All of them?” she asked.
“Yes, all of them.”
“Um, okay. Should I let Mrs. Carter know?”
“No need. I’ll talk to her later. Enjoy your day, Betty.”
“Thank you so much, Mr. Carter.”
Jim grinned and leaned forward. “Did you know her daughter was in a play?”
“I saw it on her phone. It popped up as a reminder. If you don’t mind, Jim, I need to speak to my sister.”
Standing, he held up his hands. “Sorry I couldn’t warn you in time.”
“Yeah, next time, just tell me over the phone.”
“I would have but your father walked in. He scares the hell out of me.”
I rolled my eyes. “Later, Jim.”
I picked up the phone and cleared my throat. “Hey, Macy.”
“Hey, little brother. What did they do now?”
Quickly filling my sister in, I waited for her response.
“What exactly do you want me to say here, Kian? You know how they are. You were going to settle because the clients want closure, but they only see dollar signs. Nothing with our parents is ever going to change.”
Sighing, I dropped back into my chair. “I know you’re right. I just don’t think I can do this anymore. I feel like today was the last straw.”
“Then do what your heart is telling you to do, Kian. Leave.”
A bitter laugh escaped. “And do what, Mace?”
“You and I both know the answer to that question.”
I paused for a moment and thought about the guy on the subway.
“You know, there was this older gentleman on the subway today. He started a conversation with me, told me he used to be a lawyer, left it, and is a writer now.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, the crazy thing is, I was interrupted by a call from Jim, and when I got off the call, the guy was gone.”
“I would call that a sign, little brother.”
I nodded my head as I stared down at my desk. “A sign. A moment.”
“I’m assuming you want my advice.”
“Please.”
“Quit. Go back home, take some time off, and enjoy the last bit of winter and the beginning of spring in Moose Village. Aunt Opal will be over the moon, not to mention Sally. You need a place to clear your head, and I hate to say this, but detox from our mother and father.”
New York City wasn’t home for us. Sure, my mother and father had a law firm in New York City, but we had grown up in Upstate New York in a small town called Moose Village. Granted, most of the time, our parents were in New York City, but me, my sister, and younger brother Mark lived in Moose Village. It was where my parents were born and raised, and they wanted us to have the same upbringing. Right down to our parents being MIA like theirs had been. Sally, our nanny, was the one who raised us. We turned out the way we did because of her. Once we were all grown and moved out, Sally’s role turned to caretaker of the house.