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“Nice?” I ask. “Why doesn’t that sound like a compliment?”
She shrugs. “I’m sure he’s great. You won’t know until the date, though. So, I’ll wait to hear what you think about him.”
I eye my sister, wondering why it seems like she has more to say on the subject.
“What aren’t you saying?” I ask on an exhale.
She sighs. “Nothing, really. I’m sure this Michael guy is great. I hope he’s perfect for you.”
“But?” I prompt.
“But I think you’ve narrowed your sights too much,” she says. “All these guys who look great on paper might not have what you need in a partner. You need someone just a little adventurous. Spontaneous. You’re so serious all the time. You need someone who can pull you out of your comfort zone every now and then. And no offense, but Michael doesn’t exactly scream adventure.”
My first instinct is to argue with my sister. I don’t need adventure or spontaneity. I need someone safe and secure. I need someone who’ll be there for me. Someone comfortable. Why would I want adventure? I’m getting past the age of being whimsical about dating. I need to be more practical. But I don’t tell her any of that. Instead, I just nod. That must not be good enough for Piper, because she makes me promise to give it more thought.
“How’s work?” Harlow asks, as if sensing I need a change of subject.
I make a face. “Could be better.”
“Are you allowed to talk about it?” She asks.
“I just have this client who looks really guilty on paper, but he swears he isn’t,” I say.
“Isn’t that most of your clients?” Piper asks.
“Pretty much,” I concede with a nod. “But I don’t know. This kid has me convinced he’s telling the truth. I don’t think he did what they’re accusing him of. The problem is I can’t find a way to prove it.”
“That’s hard,” Harlow says. “I don’t think I could handle that kind of responsibility.”
“Me either,” Piper agrees.
I laugh. “Most of the time it’s paperwork. Very boring. Not life or death.”
“Yeah, but if you can’t keep someone out of jail, their life could be ruined,” Harlow says. “If I screw up my job, the worst thing that happens is they look bad in pictures for a few weeks.”
“I don’t know about that,” Piper says. “I’ve had some bad haircuts that felt like they might ruin my life.”
We all laugh, but Harlow’s words hit me harder than I let on. If I can’t figure out a way to get the charges dropped against Will, this will stay on his record forever. It’ll follow him around anytime he tries to get a job. It could seriously impact the rest of his life. He’s just a kid. He deserves more of a chance at a normal life. Especially if he didn’t do it. There are times when the weight of responsibility from my job seems to weigh heavier. This is one of them.
Chapter 14
Sevenmonthsago
Layna
My face breaks into a smile as I end the call. The radio comes back on as my car registers that I’m no longer on the phone. I take a few breaths as my hands grip the steering wheel. I got the job. It’s not that I doubted they’d hire me, but you never know. And my background isn’t in criminal law, so it would have been easy for them to dismiss me. But they didn’t. I got the job.
I let out a loud screech of excitement and bounce in my seat at the red light, forgetting that I’m in downtown Peach Tree and my windows are down. Coming to my senses, I risk a glance around and see no less than 4 upstanding Peach Tree citizens looking at me like I might have lost my mind. I give a small wave and what I hope is a sedate smile as I close the windows, hoping the tint is dark enough to block their view of me.
But even their judgment can’t dim my excitement. I’m finally going to put my law degree to use helping people in a way I haven’t been able to since I passed the bar. A sense of fulfillment washes over me as the light turns green and I take my foot off the brake. I think of all the different ways my life has changed for the better since I left Atlanta. For one thing, my stress levels are much lower. Even before getting the call today that I’m officially no longer unemployed, I’d felt less anxiety than when I was working for the biggest firm in Atlanta and making tons of money.
I also think maybe I’m happier here. More relaxed. I know I’m happier living closer to Piper and being able to see her whenever I want. That’s a major bonus. But there’s something about the small-town life that I hadn’t counted on when I moved here. Things move at a different pace. People seem to have more patience for minor inconveniences. Sure, it has its quirks. My eyes stray to the massive monstrosity they call a water tower and I smile. Piper was right. It does grow on you. I drive slowly through town, taking in everything around me, enjoying the autumn leaves on the trees. It really is a gorgeous day.
As I stop to let a mother with a stroller cross the street in front of me, I catch sight of Peach Fuzz to my left. Before I can stop myself, I scan the parking lot for Cole’s truck, smiling when I see it. He’s been working like crazy lately, trying to get the new outdoor seating area ready for its grand opening. I can’t wait to see the place when it’s finished. I know Cole is proud of it. On impulse, I flip on my turn signal and pull into the mostly empty lot. It’s early enough in the day that the place isn’t open yet. But I know some employees will be there getting ready for the coming day.
I don’t text or call Cole. I want to catch him off-guard; see him in his natural environment. I’m sure the front door is locked since the restaurant isn’t open yet, so I head around the back to where I know the patio is nearly completed. I pull open the gate to the tall privacy fence and enter, closing it behind me. When I turn around, my mouth drops open in surprise.
I don’t know what I’d expected, but it’s not this. Had I thought it was nearly completed? I can’t see anything that doesn’t look perfect and ready for the public to enjoy. There’s a large wooden deck with plenty of tables and chairs spaced evenly throughout. There’s a fully stocked bar at one end of the covered porch. The wide steps lead down to a grassy area with more casual seating scattered around. There’s an area for outdoor games off to one side and even two large clay fireplaces for the cooler winter nights that are just around the corner. Looking up, I see lights strung throughout the trees. I try to picture this place at night, lit up and cozy with the fireplaces burning and smiling people scattered around, eating and drinking.
