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“Your ‘I passed the bar exam’ party.”
“I didn’t need a party,” I say.
She shrugs. “I wanted you to feel special.”
Emma releases me to say hi to her dad, then returns wrapping her arms around my waist.
My cheeks hurt from the huge grin on my face. “I do feel special. This is really nice.”
“Yeah?” She bites her lip, trying to hold back her elated smile.
“Yeah, this is so much more than I expected.”
“Oh, crap, I didn’t get the banner hung up.”
Emma grabs a gold letter banner from the bar and with the help of her dad, hangs it across the open space in the corner of the bar.
‘Congratulations, Griffin’ it reads.
“How did you find a banner that says ‘Congratulations, Griffin’ so quickly?” I ask.
“Oh, I had it already.”
I blink at her. “Just lying around?”
“When you told me you were waiting for your bar results, I thought it would be good to have on hand.”
“Because you knew I’d pass?”
“Yes.”
“That’s awfully thoughtful especially since you hate lawyers.”
“We already discussed this. You’re the exception.” She grins. “And Carl,” she motions to him across the bar, “when he’s not being obnoxious.”
She pecks me on the cheek. “Be right back, I’m going to grab my phone to take pictures.”
As Emma leaves, Hunter hands me a beer and clinks his with mine. “To you.”
“Thanks.”
“It’s only been a few days, but I’d like to know what you thought about our meeting on Friday.”
“Honestly, after hearing more about the company, I was very impressed with the work that Premier does. I appreciate you considering me for the position. I know I don’t have the experience that Walt and the company is looking for.”
“Walt liked you a lot. He likes fresh blood. You’re easier to mold, he said. And with his planned retirement in the next two years, he’s hoping to be able to set up Tanya and whomever fills the second legal team position with an ideal succession plan.” He takes a sip of his beer. “Your knowledge of Nevada laws would be an asset as we expand to the Las Vegas area. But listen, I’ll let you enjoy the party and we’ll circle back next week.” Hunter walks off, and I let his words sink in. Next week I should be back in Vegas for Sophie’s graduation, with no plans to return to New York. But that’s not what I want.
As the idea of me and Emma together has started to take root, what our life would be like, the thought has crossed my mind to ask her to move to Vegas with me. But I know she’s been working hard to build her business and being in New York would be ideal for her clients. She loves the city. Her family and friends are here. I’ve thought about her parents’ packed apartment when we arrived at our surprise wedding shower. She has roots and a life here.
The reality is that it makes more sense for me to move here. I’ve got a mental laundry list of things I need to figure out in order for that to even be an option.
Emma’s smiling face breaks through the crowd and I decide to not think about that right now. I want to enjoy this moment.
Emma and I make the rounds, greeting Carl and Lindsay, Barrett and Chloe, and the rest of the group here from Premier Real Estate, Leo, Josie and Jess from Emma Belle Bridal, and a few more of Emma’s friends that I met at the Premier party. Emma’s mom shows up a few minutes later.
“Sorry, I’m late. Traffic downtown was horrendous,” she says, pulling me in for a hug. “Congratulations, Griffin. We’re proud of you.”
The emotion that Jolyn’s words bring up has my throat tightening.
