So I wasn’t too far off. But instead of asking me for the cash outright, she went with the sentimental punch to the gut, and it worked. My stomach cramped. She was correct—I avoided talking about the subject. “Sell?” I repeated.
“It’s a hassle living in the middle of nowhere. If I sell, I’ll take the money and buy a little apartment in the city, where I belong.” She wrinkled her nose. “Not buried somewhere in Brooklyn to wither away.”
“Dad loved the house. He always told me he was the first one in his family to own property. Grandma and Grandpa were so proud of him.” Every holiday, my grandmother would cook a huge meal, as if ten people were joining us, instead of it being only the four of us. I’d sit on the counter and help—whether it was stirring her matzo-ball soup, helping mix the potatoes for her latkes, or makingHamantaschen. It was one of my core memories, and when they died within a year of each other afterbeing married for over sixty years, I cried buckets. All the people who’d ever truly loved me were gone.
“That’s a nice story, but it has nothing to do with me. Your grandparents never liked me.”
With good reason, I wanted to snap at her, but I restrained myself because it would only result in a shouting match, and this was my place of business.
“I’m not sure I want to sell.”
My father never bothered to change his will that left everything fifty-fifty to Jennifer and me. He probably never thought he’d die so soon. I was only in college, too young to say or do anything about it, even if I’d known.
A hot-red flush rose to her rouged cheeks. “You can’t be serious. Why would you want to stay attached to that dump?”
I struggled to maintain my composure. “It’s not a dump. It’s my childhood home, all I have left of my father. Dad loved that house—planting vegetables in the garden, playing catch with me in the yard, decorating it for Halloween. You don’t give a damn because you don’t care about anything but yourself.”
Ignoring my heartfelt words and how emotional I’d become, she curled her fingers into the palms of her hands. “I need that money, Bailey.”
“Maybe get a job.”
Her eyes narrowed, and her lips thinned. “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you? Seeing me desperate, making me beg. I bet you think I deserve this.”
“Sorry, Jennifer. I know you might not believe it, but I don’t. As a matter of fact, most days, I don’t think about you at all. Now please excuse me, but I have work to get to.” I got to my feet, walked to the door, and opened it. Alone in my apartment, I could imagine a time my mother and I might have a relationshiplike my father had hoped for. Face-to-face, we were oil and water, destined never to mix.
Fuming, she stomped by me and stood seething by the elevator. I waited until she disappeared to speak to Lincoln, who sat wide-eyed and openmouthed. I put up a hand.
“Don’t even ask. It’s a very long story I’ve got no desire to relate. Ever.”
As my mother exited, the second elevator opened and my next client stepped out.
The meeting with Mrs. Fishbein proved as long and complicated as I’d expected, and I’d never been happier to see my couch when I entered my apartment that evening. With a beer in hand, I sank into the pillows and groaned. A night of Netflix and chill, just me, myself, and I, didn’t seem like a bad thing. Although I did wonder what Keston was up to.
Probably up inside someone else.I sighed, fighting the itch to text him.
My phone rang, and seeing it was Grady, I picked up, curious. We were friendly but not close like he was with Weston and Brenner. Still, I liked the guy, apart from his connection to his sexy-as-fuck brother.
“Hey, Grady, what’s up?”
“I’ve got some news. I’m getting engaged.”
“No shit?Mazel tov!Lauren is beautiful and smart—I’ve had some dealings with her at the DA’s office. Looks like you hit the jackpot.” As happy as I was for him, I wondered why Grady was calling to tell me this news.
“Thanks. I know I’m the lucky one. Still trying to figure out what she sees in me, but I’m not gonna look too deep. Anyway, I’m having a little get-together this weekend to celebrate. I’m doing the deed on Thursday, just Lauren and me, and then we’rehaving some people up to this cabin I rented for Friday and Saturday night for a celebration. I’d love it if you could make it.”
“Wow, uh, that’s really nice of you to include me, but—”
“You’re wondering why?”
I set my beer on the coffee table. “Well, yeah. Not that I don’t think you’re cool and a great lawyer. I just thought this would be something reserved for close friends and relatives.”
“Growing up in foster care, I didn’t have much of either. I’ve learned to be cautious, but I recognize good people I’d like to be around.”
“Thanks, Grady. I’m honored you want me at your special occasion. I’d love to come.”
“I have another reason,” he said, his gruff voice turning teasing. “Keston will be there.”
“Still trying for thatshiddach?”
