“I like it.”
“Thank you, Julian.”
“Mm-hm.”
I told him about another person who had reached out to me for help with a legal issue that morning, talking with my hands the way I did when I got into a story. He listened quietly, his mouth holding still while his eyes gave him up.
“Do you feel like you’re settling in out here? You miss Jersey?”
I gave it a real thought. “My sisters. My mother. But I talk to all ofthem constantly, so I don’t feel the absence the way I expected to. Oh, and there’s this place back home. Portuguese and Ethiopian, which sounds made up but isn’t. Their bacalhau will make you cry. And after, these little cardamom pastéis with Ethiopian coffee that ruined every other coffee for me for life.” I smiled at the table. “That’s the thing I actually miss, if I’m being stupid about it. A restaurant. The chef knew my order before I sat down.”
“Not stupid,” he said.
“Anyway.” I sat up. “I have news. My North Carolina admission came through this morning. I’m officially licensed in the state.”
His whole face changed, a rare full smile. He set his glass down. “Congratulations. How does it feel?”
“Like I can finally job hunt with both feet,” I said, feeling more settled than I had since leaving New Jersey. “ Now I can officially practice instead of just giving free legal consult advice to half the town. Ever since the Brooks thing, my phone hasn't stopped. Somebody's landlord, somebody's custody papers, somebody's cousin's workers' comp.”
“About that.” His tone shifted slightly. “Word gets around. You’re building a reputation before you're even employed anywhere. That’s impressive. There are a couple firms in the area that would be lucky to have you.”
“I've been sending out resumes. Had a few interviews.”
“I know, but sometimes it's about connections. I could make some calls. David Harrison runs an excellent practice downtown, really community-focused. And there's Gideon Pryce at Pryce Industries. Their legal division does some interesting work in a few areas. I will text you David’s contact first. Tell him I suggested you call. He’ll be expecting you.”
I picked up my water and took a sip while I thought about how I wanted to answer that. “I appreciate it, Julian. But I want to do this part on my own merit first. Find the firm I'm supposed to find.”
“Hm.”
“Hmwhat?”
“Nothing. I'm just listening, Alyssa.”
“Julian.”
“I heard you. You want to do it on your own.”
“Yes. I want to do it on my own.”
“Okay.”
I looked at him. He was, I had learned, a man who saidokaywhen he was not actually agreeing, but when he was just ending a conversation, already decidinghe was going to do what he wanted anyway. I had been on the receiving end of thatokay, and then later what he had suggested quietly happened anyway.
“Julian, I’m serious. I appreciate the offer, but I can't accept your help.”
“Why not?”
“Because I've already accepted so much from you. I can't have you fixing my career too.”
His expression shifted, confusion mixing with something that looked like hurt. “Alyssa, networking isn't the same as?—”
“Isn't it?” I interrupted. “You found me my condo, you help with Micah, taking him to and from practice most days. I don't want to be your project.”
The silence stretched between us, and I could see him processing my words, his jaw tightening.
“Myproject?” His voice was carefully controlled when he finally spoke. “That’s what you think this is?”
“I don't know what to think.”
