“You know I used to sneak into your office as a kid?” I looked over at him, but I didn’t give him time to respond. “At first, I wanted to see the world you never let me be a part of but showed to Jason. I would pull a random legal book from the shelf and could barely understand the words in it, but I kept trying to read it, hoping it would give me a better understanding of you. I thought if I knew something about law, you’d like me just a little more. I stopped hoping after my tenth birthday.”
His gaze lowered to the floor.
“After that, I stopped reading them for you and started reading them for me,” I continued. “I found that I had an interest in the legal jargon. It was still difficult to understand, but I would ask teachers and go to the library to look things up. I did it to teach myself, not to endear myself to you, but because I loved it.” I don’t know why I felt the need to share that, but I did.
“Did you ever love my mother?” I asked unexpectedly.
He looked at me surprised. “I…of course I did, but over the years things changed.”
“Did you miss her after she died?”
“I did. I felt lost for a long time after her death. Lost and guilty.”
“Is that why you decided to go to therapy?”
“It took a while for me to get my head out of my own ass, but eventually I knew I needed help. About a year a half into it, I met Marjorie. I would never be able to sustain this type of relationship, had I not sought help in the first place. That’s why I’m glad you’ve made the decision to see a therapist.”
“I am too.” There was a beat of silence.
“I’d have to give my current job two weeks’ notice,” I added.
My father’s eyes began smiling even before his mouth did. “That’s standard.”
“And we’d have to negotiate my salary.”
“We’ll double what you’re currently making, and of course, you’d get part ownership of the firm, just like Jason.”
“Double my salary? That’s a lot.” I already made well into the six-figure range.
“You’ll earn it. Eventually, you will be leading the family law division.”
“I want the ability to take on at least two pro bono cases a year.” I’d had more than a handful of clients who’d been victims of abuse and could barely afford to pay for a decent attorney, which often led to them being abused even more by their spouses.
“That can be arranged,” my father agreed.
I lowered my head, pondering. “It’s a deal.” I stood and stuck out my hand. But my father surprised me as he stood and pulled me into a hug.
“Two hugs in one night. That’s got to be a record for us,” I joked.
My father laughed as he walked to the door to open it for me. I came up short, almost bumping into Jason, who was standing in the doorway.
“Did you agree yet?”
I laughed.
“Jason, meet the newest family attorney atCombs and Combs,” my father stated, pride filling his voice.
“Fucking finally!” Jason clapped and pulled me into a hug.
If someone would’ve told me a year ago that I’d be laughing with Jason and my father in his home, after just agreeing to work at the family firm, I would’ve laughed in their face. But that had become my reality and it felt good. I didn’t even have to question whether this was what healing felt like. I knew it.
Chapter Thirteen
Xavier
“You had a good talk with your father?” I looked over at Chanel, who was looking serene in my passenger seat. There was a peaceful look on her face that was only enhanced as she smiled at my question, her eyes shut.
“Did you?” she retorted, finally opening her eyes and glancing at me sideways.
