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He nearly chokes on his bourbon, taking almost a minute to level out his breathing.
Thisis more the reaction I was expecting.
Once his coughing fit subsides, it’s as if a blanket has washed over his expression. He’s entirely void of emotion.
“Dad?”
“I need a minute.”
So I give it to him. We sit in silence for five minutes before he clears his throat, pulling my eyes to his.
“Why?”
“Huh?”
“Why don’t you want to take over Baker & Park? It’s all you’ve worked for your entire life. The plan has always been for you to make partner and take over my shares in the firm. What changed?”
While he’s right about that, it was never about wanting the firm. I went into law because I loved it, that is still true, but it was never about being anyone’s boss. I want to make a difference in this world, even if it includes not making corporate law kind of money. That, and I don’t want to be tied down to Atlanta, at least not entirely. I like the idea of not being locked in to Baker & Park until I retire.
“I don’t feel that I’m the right fit.”
“And who is the right fit? You’re an only child, and Richard doesn’t have children. It’s always been you.”
The pressure to carry on my dad’s legacy has never been outwardly discussed between us, but it’s always in the air. He’s not getting any younger, so it’s been expected for a while that it would come up soon. There isn’t any putting it off anymore; we need to talk, even if it sucks.
“Jackson.”
“Jackson isn’t a Park.” He says it so matter-of-factly, like it’s something I haven’t considered.
“He might as well be,” I say before gulping down the remaining liquid in my glass. “Name or not, you and I both know Jackson has what it takes to carry on your legacy, and probably better than I would have, anyway.”
“There is no undoing this decision, Liam. You know that,right? I bring this to Richard and you’re committing to this—are you sure this is what you want?”
“I’m sure.”
“And is Jackson even interested in that path?”
I shrug. We haven’t actually discussed it at all, but I know Jackson. His desire to go into law has never had anything to do with practicing law, at least not in the way I want to. I want to help people, not oversee them. I don’t want to be someone’s boss, especially not if it takes me away from being able to make an actual difference. “I’m pretty sure he’d be open to discussing it.”
“Then we’ll discuss it.”
“Just like that, then?” My brows raise, earning me a chuckle.
“Would you prefer I yell?”
“No,” I laugh.
“Good. I’m not a fan of yelling.” He swallows the rest of his drink before leaning back in his chair, far more relaxed than I’ve ever seen him at the firm.
“So, tell me about you and Hannah.”
And I do, unabashedly.
FIFTY-ONE
LIAM
As I step off the plane, the frigid air of Chicago slams into me with all its might. The bitter wind stings my cheeks and numbs my nose. This is a far cry from the warm and welcoming climate of Georgia, but we had to come here for Hannah’s big performance.
