Page 99 of Feel It in the Air

“No worries. I had a free moment, so I figured I’d expedite things a little bit. Percy called me and filled me in on some of the happenings out there.”

“Did he now…”

Just what did he tell you?

“He did…” Dexter chuckles. “Can’t say I blame the man—there are days that retiring does sound nice. Although Juliana isn’t like Betty. Pretty sure she’d murder me for being underfoot after about a week.”

“You think she’d give you a whole week?”

“Fair point, fair point,” he says, still laughing.

I shift on the couch, relaxing a little, enjoying the camaraderie of talking with a man who I greatly respect. My time working for Dexter was nothing short of amazing. I learned so much from him. Not only in the field of intellectual property law, but life in general. Both he and Juliana went out of their way to make me feel like family since they knew I didn’t have any out in California, and leaving them was harder than I had anticipated.

“Well, Margeaux, I won’t beat about the bush here,” Dexter continues. “I know that moving back South to be closer to Papa Duck and the family was a priority for you after graduation. And I respect that. Family’s important. That’s why I was more than happy to get you set up with Percy and at Hayes.”

“And I greatly appreciate your recommending me,” I tell him.

“Always, Margeaux. Always. Just as I want you to know that there’s always a job for you here.”

Errr…what?!

I blink…one, twice, three times, swallowing hard. Dexter is offering me a job?

“I…I’m sorry?” I choke out.

“I’m not saying I know anything, because I don’t. Truly. I’m just an opportunistic joker who sees a shot and is taking it. Losing you was tough, Margeaux. Made tolerable by knowing that you were going to work with someone who I know and trust. But now that he’s out of the game, I’m going to do what it takes to get you back.”

I’m going to do what it takes to get you back…

Holy shit. Of all the things I didn’t see coming.

It takes me a minute to process what he’s saying. I’m still not sure I’ve fully wrapped my head around it, but I know I have to say something.

“And what exactly would I tell Hayes? I just started.”

“You accepted the job thinking you’d be working for a man who’s now retiring, which changes the terms of your contract. The corporate world isn’t for you,” he suggests. “We can find a way to spin it. Are you saying you’re in?”

My mouth dries up instantly, my tongue as rough as sandpaper as I attempt to answer him. If I thought I was confused about things before, I was wrong. Now I really feel like I’ve tumbled down the rabbit hole. Instead of ending up in Wonderland though, I’ve ended up in some weird world where nothing makes sense. Then again, Alice thought that about Wonderland.

“Dexter, I’m exceptionally flattered, and you’ve given me a lot to think about,” I start.

“You can name your price, Margeaux.”

“You’ve given me a lot to think about,” I repeat. “But, I do have to think on it. I’m not unhappy at Hayes.”

In fact, I’m in love with a Hayes…

“Spoken like a true lawyer.”

“I had a great mentor.”

“I’ll let you get on with your Friday. But give me a call next week and we can discuss this in more depth.”

I agree to talking more later, still in shock over the offer. Grabbing my ice cream, I shove a large spoonful in my mouth—brain freeze be damned. Right about now, giving my thoughts frostbite might actually help to slow them down.

Gone is all the wallow and shame from before. In its place is…confusion. More than anything, I can’t help but ask myself one thing over and over again.

Did the universe just hand me the answer to this mess?