See?
Relocating.
Picking up my legal practice and simply setting it back down in Korsa.
A knock sounds at my door, then Mr. Austen appears in my office. “That was quite the invite, Lorelei,” he jests, walking in all the way and closing the door.
“I have quite the news.” I snag two elderberry green tea bags from my stash and plop them into our mugs. I chuckle to myself looking at my BAE: Best Attorney Ever mug, seeing it in a whole new light since Finley explained what bae actually meant. Hadley got me good with that little joke.
“And what’s that?” He takes a seat, crossing one leg over his knee. I place his cup of tea in front of him on my desk.
“Remember that guy I told you about?”
He thinks for a moment before snapping his fingers. “The one who was supposed to fall for your sister but instead fell for you.”
“That’s the one,” I state, blowing on my tea. “I’m dating him now. Which means I will be moving to Korsa the second week of June because we will be married before Christmas and then there will be the coronation at the beginning of next year.”
Panic begins to build in my chest, but I stamp it down with thoughts of my prince. My loving, kind, beautiful, thoughtful, perfectly-matched-for-me prince.
Mr. Austen is silent for a bit, looking at me with searching eyes. “And you’re positive about this, Lorelei? You look a little pale.”
“Have I ever made a decision lightly or without great thought?” I brush him off. I know I’m pale. And panicking. But that doesn’t mean it’s not the right decision.
He sighs, “No. You have not. But I must say,” he picks up his mug, “I am going to miss you. And tea time. You are one of my best attorneys. When is your last day?”
“A month from now. I have to go to Dallas for a wedding for the first week of June, and then the second week I am moving. I want to spend the last two weeks of May prepping.”
“Always have a plan, don’t you?” He grins. I smile back at him, but then a sudden sense of sadness grips my heart. I really will miss my boss.
“Thank you for being a wonderful boss and mentor,” I pause. Because Mr. Austen is so much more than that. “And friend.”
He smiles and taps his fingers on my desk. “You as well, Lorelei.” At that moment his phone buzzes. I think he whispers, “Emma Jane” under his breath before letting it go to voicemail.
“Emma Jane Williams?” I ask. “As in the barista at Books and Beans?”
He nods his head and sips his tea while turning his face away from me.
“Is she okay? Does she need a lawyer? Can I be of assistance before I leave?”
He shakes his head and puffs out air. “No, nothing of the sort. We are family friends. Grew up close to each other in our neighboring town of Hartfield. She’s trying to get me to help her set up a friend of hers with a friend of mine. Playing matchmaker of sorts.”
“Ah, okay. I did get the feeling she was very into love when I spoke with her about… something before.”
“That she is.” He laughs, looking beyond me as if he is somewhere else. “Well, we will chat some more, of course, but I better get back to work today. It’s been a real pleasure working with and knowing you, Attorney Lorelei Spence.”
I stand as he does and follow him to my office door. “The same can be said of you, Attorney Knightley Austen.”
“Mom! Dad!” I shout as my parents stand outside the apartment door. “Come in.” I wave them forward as Lucy runs and bear-hugs Mom. Dad steps around them and embraces me in a warm, strong hug.
“When did you get back?” Lucy asks, wild excitement in her eyes.
“Well, when we heard from Lorelei that you two were traveling to Korsa with Finley, we suspected things might be getting serious between those two, and we needed to come vet the man ourselves,” Dad says, turning his hazel eyes onto me. I shrug.
“Yeah, I guess it is serious. But did you really expect me to jump into a relationship half-heartedly?”
Everyone laughs though I meant it seriously. Mom says, “No, we didn’t. Which is why we are back.” She embraces me in a hug. She still smells like sunshine from Arizona. “We want to meet this guy. And we missed our beautiful daughters.”
“I’m glad you both are home,” I say with sincerity. “I’ve missed you both.”
