“I need some help.” Lexa’s voice sounded through the door, and I got on my feet and opened it to find her with her hands full.
“You shouldn’t be lugging all that up here alone. I could have come down.”
“No need, I’m here now. I would have called, but I thought I could make it.” She had three bags of food and a drink holder with three drinks and what looked like a fudge sundae.
“Are you feeding an army?” I dug in the bags and found three plate lunches, two slices of pie and everything we needed to eat it.
“Just you and Layne. I thought I’d bring him something in case he was still swamped with that case you’ve been stressing over.”
“And it’s only my first case, so you can imagine how good things will be when I’m six months back to work.” I hoped she would understand what she was getting herself into, but then again, her nursing wasn’t any different.
“You don’t look too busy to me.” She narrowed her eyes and glanced at my computer.
“That’s because it died again. The monitor needs to be replaced, and since I own the place, I guess they’re going to let me get it myself.” I hadn’t had a chance to call my assistant to put in a request, but as slow as she moved, I’d do better to run that errand myself.
“You pay people to do that for you.” She took out a container and peeked inside. Then she grabbed a slice of pie and a soda and carried it next door.
“I do, but I haven’t had a chance. It just happened, and then I got lost in my thoughts.”
The door to Layne’s office opened, and he greeted Lexa with a smile. “What have we here?”
“Room service. I thought you could use a little nourishment. Aiden tells me that you’re on a tough case and this is my way of showing support.” He took the containers from her and then the drink.
“Thanks so much. This will save me an hour. I’m hoping to be done before the day is over. We go to court next week.” He glanced over his shoulder. “Hope you’re ready.”
“I’ll be ready, don’t you worry.” He thanked Lexa again, and she closed his door and headed back into my office. I watched her dig into the bag and hand me my food. “You’re so caring.”
“What because I want to be helpful? It’s just a little food, don’t get all sappy on me or I’ll never come back.” She gave me a playful look, but I pulled her into my lap.
“You’re not going anywhere, and I mean it. You’re an amazing woman, and I’m not letting you forget it.” She opened the pie container in front of me.
“Do you eat peaches?” She took the sundae from the holder and placed it next to the pie.
“I don’t know, are you a peach?” I kissed her behind her ear until she giggled.
“Born and raised.” She lifted her gaze to the heavens and then gave me a nudge. “I didn’t know if you’d like it or not so brought a sundae. I’ll eat whichever you don’t want.”
“We’ll split them both. Why choose when we can have it all?” I pounded my fist on the desk, and she handed me my drink, reminding me of Glen.
“You know, I’ve been sitting here thinking.” I slid my fork into the pie and stabbed a peach.
“I thought I felt the earth shake.” She was in a silly mood, and I loved it. I loved her playful spirit and hoped my idea wouldn’t spoil it.
“I’ve been thinking about my job.” As my tone grew serious, her face fell.
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“I thought it was working out okay?” She glanced at the door and hopped up to close it all the way.
“I’m doing great, but stepping in and taking over the reins has put a bad taste in my mouth. Layne should run things, not me. I can’t even get a decent computer monitor, and I don’t like coming here every day.” She stepped up to my side and ran her fingers through my hair.
“What are you thinking?” I didn’t like the look of worry set in her brow.
“There’s no need to worry. I’m not going to stop working, but I think I’d like being at home more often. I was going to sell this place and do that if that settlement was more than I could handle, but since I don’t have to do that, I’ve had to rethink things. I like being at home. I’ve gotten used to it over the past year, and I think working from there would be good for me. I could still use this place as a base, but I think Layne should run it.”
“That’s a wonderful idea, but are you sure you won’t be needed here?” She wasn’t grasping exactly what I was saying.
“Baby, I’m thinking about giving everything over to him. That way I would only have to come here when convenient for my clients. I’d like to have a separate office, a personal one where I can practice the type of cases I’m interested in, not this corporate defender shit my father loved so much.” I pulled her back down into my lap.