Page 18 of Inked Persuasion

“Somebody has to. You sure don’t do it yourself.” He spun on his heel and walked out, and I snorted.

I liked the duo. Seressia and Dustin. They worked well together, and they kept me on my toes. They pretty much ran the office. That meant that once we finished filling our staff and settled in a bit, eventually making more money for the practice, they would get raises. I wouldn’t work them to death and not pay them. Nor would I work them to death. I hadn’t liked that when I was just starting out, and even though I was young to have my own practice, I didn’t want to bethatboss. The one everybody feared and who forced them into heart attacks at the age of forty because they worked too hard, drank harder, and forgot about the real world. I also liked my paralegal, Lucas, who was currently researching for me. He worked as many hours, if not more, than I did. Lucas was probably buried in a book right now, and I didn’t mind.

I opened the sandwich and looked over some briefs as my phone rang. Since it was the office phone, Dustin must have sent it back. I answered.

“Jacob Queen’s office.”

“Hello there, darling,” my mother said. I smiled, leaning back in my chair.

I took a bite of the sandwich and grinned. “Hello.”

“You’re talking with your mouth full.”

I winced. “Sorry, I figured since you called, I could take a break.”

“That’s good timing, then. Since you’re eating, I don’t have to nag you about that.”

“I take care of myself.”

“No, Dustin and Seressia take care of you, which is good. They know exactly how to make sure you don’t work yourself into the ground. I just wanted to check on you.” There was an awkward pause, and I cleared my throat and set my partially eaten sandwich down on the desk.

“I apologized to Annabelle. Told her I was a jerk and said I would work to do better. I am sorry, Mom.”

I heard the relieved breath, and I winced.

“That’s good to hear,” she whispered. “She needs love, too. And so do you.”

I shook my head and bit into the sandwich again so I wouldn’t say what was on my mind.

“All I’m saying is that she could use a friend,” my mother backpedaled. I rolled my eyes, though she couldn’t see me.

“Sure. Whatever you say. I think Annabelle and I are going to try to be friends. Or at least nice neighbors.”

“That’s all I can ask. I could ask for much more, but I’ll stick with that.”

I shook my head again, even though, once more, she couldn’t see me. “Thank you for checking in. That is why you called, right?”

“I just wanted to hear your voice.” There was another pause, and my sandwich tasted like sawdust all of a sudden. I swallowed the last of the bite and wiped my hands on the napkin Dustin had given me.

“I’m glad you called. Call anytime—even if I’m in court. I’ll take it.”

“I will not call when you’re not on a break.”

“And how will you know that?”

“I have spies.”

“Dustin and Seressia call you to let you know when I’m eating so you can call me?” I guessed.

“Maybe. And when your brilliant women get back to the office, they’ll make sure I can take care of you, as well. I’m doing my best to make sure that all of the moms in that lovely little office of yours are taking care of their kids. You might be adults, but you’ll always be our babies.”

I let out a breath and tried not to focus on the fact that my heart broke a little inside. I needed to focus on the now and not what could happen in the future. “I love you, Mom.”

“I love you, too, baby. Now you go put those criminals behind bars.”

“That’s not the type of law I’m working on up here,” I said dryly.

“Maybe not, but you’re still doing good work. You’re brilliant. And I’m proud of you. Now, go do whatever paperwork you need to do.”

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