Page 63 of When You Give a Lawyer a Kiss

The idea comes out of left field, leaving me unsure how to process it. I’ve never been interested in having a family before. My focus has been on achieving financial success and establishing a reputation as a high-powered attorney. I never wanted to bring a kid into a situation where there was a chance they could experience the same instability I did or be shuffled between two estranged parents.

Now, there’s a small part of me that wonders if having a kid with the right person could lead to something positive. I quickly dismiss it, understanding it’s something I may want to consider in the future but not right now.

“You’re concentrating pretty hard over there,” Reese teases, popping a grape into her mouth.

I look over to find her sitting with her legs crossed, watching me intently. She doesn’t like staying still for too long; her restless energy and active mind keep her on the move.

I flash her a grin. “I’m just thinking about how this is the best weekend I’ve had in ages.”

She returns my gaze with a content look. “Me too. It’s so nice not to worry about having to work at the club or any of my other responsibilities.”

I take the chance to broach a topic that I’ve been waiting to bring up. “I hope you don’t mind me asking, but are you planning to keep working at Echo?”

She winces. “Why do you ask?” she questions, nervously tapping her fingers against her thighs.

“You’re stretched thin with working at the office and the club, plus studying for the LSAT. I’m worried you’re pushing yourself too hard.” Her eyes narrow slightly, suggesting she knows I’m holding back. “Honestly, I was hoping the bonus might make you reconsider working at the club.” When I notice the unease in her expression I add, “the bonus isn’t contingent on you quitting though. “I’ve seen how important going to law school is for you and want you to have every opportunity to achieve your dream, including making sure you have ample time to study. Martha and Colby were there for me when I was preparing for the LSAT and applying to law schools, and even though you have Noah, I want to be there for you, too.”

I open my arm in invitation and without hesitation, Reese snuggles up next to me. She rests her head on my chest and drapes her arm over me.

She glances up at me with a trace of guilt visible in her expression. “I might have already reached out to my supervisor at Echo and told them I’m quitting. He said I’d be missed at the club, but understood. Since the schedule for this upcoming week was still being finalized, he said I could quit effectiveimmediately.” She takes a deep breath between continuing. “You were right,” she admits as she twirls a piece of hair around her finger. “I’ve been burning the candle at both ends. My future has to come first, and my best chance of getting into law school is putting my energy into studying and my full-time job. But I’m still having doubts about accepting the bonus. Like I said yesterday, I haven’t earned it.”

Like hell she hasn’t.

“Consider it hazard pay for dealing with my foul moods,” I counter. “It’s the least I can do for all the late nights you’ve put in, not to mention the patience you’ve shown me.”

She taps her chin thoughtfully, a playful grin spreading across her face. “When you put it like that, it’s hard to argue with your logic,” she teases.

“Perfect. I’m glad we’ve resolved that,” I say, making sure there’s no space for additional arguments.

The HR team at Thompson & Tate has already been instructed to give a fifteen percent bonus to all support staff as a token of my appreciation for their hard work and dedication to making our firm a continued success. However, I couldn’t take a chance that it would be enough to cover all of Reese’s expenses.

There was no guarantee she’d agree to quit working at Echo, so I did everything possible to make the choice easier if she declined.

Yesterday, while she was saying goodbye to Georgia after our visit, I waited for her in the reception area of Oak Ridge. I asked the person working at the front desk for the administrator’s contact information. They were reluctant at first but relented when I told them I wanted to make a significant donation to the facility.

Within ten minutes, I had spoken to the administrator, and had my financial advisor wire ten million dollars to cover the expenses of all residents at the facility for the next year. Plus,I gave him specific instructions to order enough cashmere blankets for two to be delivered to each resident at the facility. The idea of Georgia getting cold at night is unacceptable.

If Reese finds out it was me, she’ll have a hard time staying upset with me since I did something that benefits all the residents, not just her grandmother.

Replacing her furnace while we were gone would have been easy, but then she might have wanted to go back home tonight. I’m hoping I can persuade her to stay with me for one more night, though if I have it my way, it’ll be for much longer.

Reese’s body relaxes against mine as she looks up at the sky. “This place is so beautiful. Thanks for bringing me here, Dawson,” she says with a smile.

“Anything for you,” I vow.

She might think they’re empty words, but I’m serious. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do to make her smile like that again.

“It’s too bad we have to go back to reality tomorrow.” She sighs, her tone despondent.

What if we don’t have to? At least not entirely.

An idea begins to form as I consider the best way to implement it.

It’s become clear that one weekend with her isn’t enough, and I’m determined to find a way to make her mine for the long haul.

Iwake up to the sun streaming through the window. I’m draped across Dawson’s chest with my head nestled in the crook of his shoulder, leg hitched over his thigh, and his arm wrapped securely around my waist. When we returned from Aspen Grove last night, we came back to his place.

This past weekend was like something out of a fairytale… if the storybook hero was a grumpy lawyer covered in tattoos with a heart of gold.

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