Page 81 of Because of You
My dad gives me a quizzical look. “What do you mean changing your practice?”
“Charlie Callahan is retiring at the end of the year, and I’ll be taking over his adoption practice. I am going to move that part of his practice to our firm, so I’ll still be practicing under our firm name. We just won’t be exclusively estate planning anymore.”
“Honey, that sounds wonderful. I know it’s something that you have always loved, and you are so good at it.” I give my mom a grateful smile.
“But what about your clients who are following you from your old firm?” asks my dad.
“I contacted all of them, and they are happy to use Julie, or even Molly for the more complex clients. I will still be there to consult whenever necessary to make sure the transition is as smooth as possible. We were always planning on hiring an associate at some point in the first six months, so I’m hoping that we can speed up the timeline. That will take a lot of the burden off Jules and Molly.”
“How does Julie feel about that?” asks Jo.
“Yeah, is she mad? You’re changing the whole game. It seems like something she wouldn’t be too thrilled about,” Hannah chimes in.
“Totally. Julie hates anything that messes up her spreadsheets. And, like, all change.”
“Oh, speaking of change, Jo, I hired a guy to come here tomorrow to get the old living room furniture that’s in the basement. I have the perfect place for it in my new apartment.”
“What?” Jo shrieks. “No. No way. They were saving that for me. Mom, tell her she can’t.”
“You don’t have a place for it, Jo, and you still have a year left on your lease. I have a place for it now.”
“She’s right, Jo,” says my mom. “It’s silly to just let it sit there. We’ll figure out something for you when the time comes.”
I’d like to figure out a way back to the conversation we were having about me before my sisters walked all over it. My entire body tenses, another hot bolt of anger washing through me. It feels good though. Not like the constant hum of anxiety I usually have when my sisters take up all the space while I’m left looking for mine.
I open my mouth to start talking, but Ben beats me to it.
In that calm way of his, he says “Jo, Hannah, Becca, Hallie wasn’t finished.”
They turn to look at him.
“She was in the middle of talking about something important to her, and you all steamrolled right over her.”
I feel a rush of love for Ben and his desire to defend me, but for the first time, maybe ever, I’m ready to speak for myself. I put a hand on his arm, lean over and whisper, “Thanks, Benji, but I’ve got this.”
He grins at me, then kisses my forehead and whispers back, “Give ‘em hell, Hallie girl.”
I look every member of my family in the eye and take a deep breath.
“Ben was right; I wasn’t finished. Like I was saying, I’m switching my practice. Charlie Callahan wants me to take over his adoption clients when he retires, and I’m going to accept. I’m moving the whole thing to our new firm. This is what I’ve always wanted to do. I have the chance now, and I’m taking it. As for Julie, that’s between her and me, and we will figure out how to make it work. Even if she doesn’t agree, I’m doing it anyway because this is what’s best for my career. And ultimately, it’s going to be what’s best for our firm. I am a whole ass adult, and I can make my own decisions about my own career. And Hannah, Jo, as for that little scene earlier? I love you both, but I’m finished with your shit. I have never stood up for myself in this house. I’m the oldest. I never wanted to upset anyone. I always thought it was better to stand back and let the two of you take up all the space with your melodrama of the day. But no more. Both of you need to learn that the world does not revolve around you. The faster you learn it, the better, because I’m done standing back and waiting for you to figure it out. Mom, you have three daughters. Not two. I’m not the loudest, and I don’t always ask for what I need. But that doesn’t mean I need nothing. Sometimes I need you to look up from Hannah and Jo and notice me. I’m right here. I’ve always been right here. Dad, just fucking notice what’s going on once in a while. I’m doneshoving my heart into a box to make the rest of you happy. I matter too. Pay attention. Now, I’m really sorry that we can’t stay for the rest of dinner, but I have something I need to do. Right now.”
Breathing hard, I grab Ben’s arm and pull him up. I walk him straight through the living room and out the front door. Before I can storm down the front steps to Ben’s car, he grabs me and spins me around. He presses me up against the door and attacks my mouth with his. The kiss is wet and hot, and it sends desire straight to my core. He pulls back, his mouth hovering over mine.
“Fucking hell, Hal. Watching you stand up for yourself? I have never been prouder of anyone in my entire life. And it was hot as shit.”
“Well, Benji, you might be prouder still because I’m not done. Can you drop me off at Julie’s on the way home? I’m done dancing around this. I’m ending it. Tonight.”
The most dazzling grin explodes on Ben’s face, and he drops his lips to mine in one more punishing kiss.
“Fucking yes, I will. You’re a badass, Hal. But she’s not home. She’s at the office, and I happen to know she’s alone. Come on, I’ll take you.”
I fumble around in my purse on the way to the car. Once we both slide in, I hand my house key to Ben. “Can you wait for me at my house? I want to see you after I talk to Julie.”
He takes the key from me and then lifts my hand to his mouth and plants a soft kiss on my knuckles.
“There’s nowhere else I’d rather be, Hallie girl.”
Chapter Forty-Nine
