Page 45 of Don't Quit the Day Job

"I love you Lila. Talk to you soon?"

"Okay, bye."

Chapter Thirteen

Max

It’s seven AM and I’m excited to head to the office, which is absolutely crazy. I love my job and I love my office—my work is my life—but it isn't that I particularly enjoy going there. But today feels different. Today, there’s a pep in my step that I haven't felt for a really long time and I don't want to analyze why that is.

"Morning, Max," Kingston says as I get out of the elevator and head toward my office.

"Morning," I say, looking at him in surprise. "You’re here early."

"I had some paperwork I needed to take care of before I go to court this morning." He looks at me. "But that doesn't explain why you are here this early."

"I wanted to get ahead on a couple of cases because Marie is actually going to join me in a couple of weeks."

"She’s joining you?" Kingston says in surprise. "What do you mean joining you?"

"She called me last night and asked if she could come and stay. Turns out my dad is still a douche bag and is cheating on her mom and I don't want her to have any sort of emotional issues."

"Marie?" He looks at me and shakes his head. "Your sister is the last person I would ever expect to have emotional issues."

"Yeah, because she has a big brother like me taking care of her," I say with a chuckle. "But anyway, even though she knows I have to work, I want to ensure that I've got some time for her when she first gets to town."

"You're a good big brother," Kingston says, laughing. "She's lucky to have you."

"Don't be getting all sentimental on me, Kingston."

"I'm not, trust me. Just make sure you're getting your shit done."

"You're talking to me like you think you're my boss instead of my partner."

"Hey," he says. "What can I say? Am I not really the big boss around here?"

I laugh. "You wish."

"So how's it going with your new assistant?" he asks, grinning at me.

"Fabulously," I say, my heart racing slightly as I think of Lila. "She's going to be a real asset to the firm."

"Yeah, right," Kingston says. "Does she even know what a brief is?"

I stare at him and just shake my head. "No comment."

"Well, let's just hope she lasts a month," he says, grinning.

"She will be here a lot longer than a month. I can assure you of that."

"I just hope that doesn't mean your work is going to suffer."

I laugh suddenly. "You know what, Kingston? Not funny."

"Well, what can I say?" He pauses. "Oh yeah, and you will never believe what happened to me last night."

"What happened?"

"Do you remember that girl, Ashley?"

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