“Any secret will do. I’m not picky.”
Elias took a sip of water. “I’m considering quitting my job.”
Okay, that was unexpected. “You don’t like being a lawyer?”
“I love being a lawyer. It’s just…” He stared off into the distance. “Working for my grandfather and dad isn’t what I thought it would be. I feel like their intern. Nothing’s changed since I did that for them during law school, except I passed the bar, so now I get the cases they don’t want, and my workload is three times theirs.”
That had to be awful. “Have you spoken to them?”
He nodded. “It’s like talking to myself. I told my dad we needed more staff. So far, not one job listing has been posted. They think I can handle it all. I’m mentioning it more now. We’ll see what happens.”
“Can you handle it all?”
“I have been, and I thought I was just paying my dues. Except it never stopped. And now, but whether I can do all the work is beside the point. I shouldn’t have to, and I don’t want to do it any longer.”
“I’m sorry.” Tasha reached across the table but drew her hand back. They didn’t know each other that well. She should comfort him with words not a touch. “Family expectations can be rough.”
“You know that one too?”
Boy, do I. “My parents wanted Alek and me to follow in their footsteps. My brother with hockey and me with figure skating. The goal was for us to win gold medals.”
“You won a bronze, right?”
She nodded. “Not gold, though. Which wasn’t bad since I’d been a pairs skater for most of my competitive career, and that was skating individually.”
“Something’s wrong when you place at the winter games and it’s not enough.”
“It is what it is. I did win Worlds after, but it’s not the same.”
Elias nodded. “I feel the weight of every generation of Carpenters who went into law. Some days it can be smothering.”
“It can be. I wish we didn’t face that kind of pressure from our families.”
He half laughed. “Same. My family loves me, though I feel more like the firm’s doormat right now.
“Not a good feeling.”
“The worst.”
Tasha finished her pizza. “I wish I had words of wisdom, but I’m at a crossroad myself.”
“Want more?”
“That hit the spot but no, thanks.”
Elias closed the lid, pushed the box away, slid the plate of dessert in front of them, and removed the plastic wrap. “This looks good. What’s your crossroad?”
She grabbed a brownie. “My family moved to Wishing Bay when I was eight. I’ve lived in Wishing Bay for twenty years, though I traveled with skating, but now that the rink is sold… It might be time for a change. I hope when I leave Berry Lake, I’ll know the answer. Do you have a timeframe to make a decision on your job?”
He also took a brownie. “I’ve given myself until January. If they don’t hire more staff, I won’t stay. I…can’t.”
Her issues seemed minor compared to the decision he faced. She set the brownie on her plate. “I hope it works out the way you want.”
“Me, too. Thinking about quitting and leaving my hometown is weird. I’ve lived in Berry Lake my entire life except for when I attended college and law school. I planned to stay here forever, but I need things to change before it affects my health. I want more in my life than a job I can’t stand that takes all my time.”
“You deserve more.”
He straightened. “I’ve always put my family first, but I realize I do.”
