Page 29 of Legacy

I cringed. “They weren’t that bad.”

“They were,” Dad added. “They were rude, and didn’t clean up after themselves, and expected you to do a lot more for them than they ever did for you.”

And they didn’t even know the extent of everything that the 4Ls, my former roommates from college, had done. I held back a shiver because my parents could always read my mind these days and smiled. Laura, Laurelin, Lauren, and Laurel had been my roommates in college. However, the girls had grown up together, had attended preschool through high school together, and were each other’s dorm mates. When they had moved off campus and needed a fifth roommate, I’d joined in. As a Felicity, I hadn’t met the qualifications of becoming a fifth L, but I had still been their friend.

And they had just been dumb girls the one night I truly needed them. However, they’d also stood up for me when I needed them as well. So, maybe, they hadn’t been all that bad.

But it had been nearly two years since the end of college, and we didn’t speak often, other than every once in a while, opening up a group chat.

And if my dad had anything to say about that, it would remain that way.

“Anyway, I have to finish getting ready for work.”

“How is Gregory doing?” Mom asked, speaking of my boss.

My smile widened. “As ornery as ever. I adore him. I’m just happy that he had space for me at his shop.”

“You are a brilliant bookkeeper and accountant. Of course, he had space for you,” Mom put in.

“And that man should have retired twenty years ago. You’re probably making sure that his place doesn’t go under.”

They weren’t exactly wrong there, but I wasn’t going to put down my boss. I remember when I had been a little girl, and he had given me lemon drop candies when I had walked by. He had always been so brilliant and bright in my life that it was an honor to be able to come back and work for him.

And yes, he was past ready to retire, but it wasn’t as if me taking over for him fully was a done deal. I still had a lot to learn, and that’s why I did not want to be late.

I ate quickly, listened to my parents as they spoke about their upcoming days, and drained my coffee.

“I’ll be home to make dinner. Don’t worry. And I’m going to continue to look for apartments.”

“Felicity, you don’t need to do that.”

My dad put up his hand as Mom tried to add to her statement, and he sighed. “I’ll help you look as well. Ashford Creek is a nice town, but there are some seedy areas.”

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes because it was true. Every single town had its gray spots, but it was a good town. I just needed to find a place I could afford.

I kissed both of their cheeks, put my dishes in the dishwasher, and went to brush my teeth.

By the time I made it to work, I was vibrating for my second cup of coffee, and instead of going to the coffee shop to get a fun latte, I drank the drip coffee from the office. I tried to save money where I could. And I had a lunch date.

“Oh, Felicity, can you look at this folder?” Gregory Teller asked, and I moved my way over to the seventy-three-year-old bookkeeper and accountant of Ashford Creek. He may be in his seventies, but his mind was just as sharp as ever. He had begun to crouch ever so slightly and continued to try to roll his shoulders back, and he didn’t move quite as sprightly as he once had, but he still ran the quarterly and holiday 5Ks in town. If I could be half as in shape as he was at his age, I would be one happy camper.

“How can I help?” I asked as I went to his side of the desk.

He hunched over a folder, a frown on his face. “I’m having trouble with this one account. Nothing is adding up. I know that they’re not money laundering or anything, but I always want to double-check things.”

My brows shot up, and I looked down at the Ashy Buns folder. I tried not to smirk, considering that meant I would be a little too callous when it came to that woman. Still though. Having Fiona go to jail for money laundering would be quite nice. No, that would be a little too much. Sure, she was rude, and yes, she had infiltrated my sex dream with Callum, but she wasn’t evil. At least, I didn’t think so.

“I’ll take a look. Is there anything specific you want me to look for?”

“I took a few notes for you. Take your time, and maybe get it back to me by Friday?”

“I can totally do that.”

“You’re heading out with Keely for lunch today, right?” he asked, and I grinned.

“I am. But do you want me to cancel, though? Do you need me for something?”

He waved me off. “It’s good you’re getting out there. You young people need to get out and enjoy life. Not everything is about the numbers. I know. Shocking that I just said those words. But it’s true.”