Page 58 of Holiday Romance
“Gab—”
“Because of our close bond.”
“Are you going to let me talk or what?”
“Talk. I’m listening. Tell me everything. What are you thinking?”
I bite back a smile even as the urge to lie threatens to take over. “Ithink,” I begin, “that I decided to become a lawyer when I was sixteen years old because it sounded impressive and was an acceptable thing to want to be. And now I think I’ve spent a third of my life devoted to a career that I don’t even like that much.”
“At all?”
“I likeyou,” I say, dropping back to the mattress. “I like the competitiveness. I like the adrenaline kick when we close a deal and I like having the cash to buy nice things and that my family is proud of me because I’ve got a good job and a good life. But the thought of looking ahead five, ten, fifteen years from now and seeing myself in the same office at two a.m. on a Tuesday makes me want to cry.”
“Jesus, Molly. Is that what this is about? You want to quit?”
“I’ve been thinking about it. But I don’t know if I’m ready yet.”
Gabriela goes quiet and I gear myself up for her counterargument, which is why I’m so surprised by her next words. “Then I’ll help you.”
“You will?”
“Yes,” she says determinedly. “Women help women. I will help you quit. I’ll take you to a life coach. We’ll make some lists. I’ll teach you the violin.”
I laugh. “I thought you’d try and talk me out of it.”
“Are you kidding me? I need new non-lawyer friends, Molly. This is a blessing.” She pauses. “Is that why you didn’t tell me?”
“That and I’m still figuring it out for myself.”
“No, you’ve decided,” she says. “I can hear it in your voice even if you can’t. But this is good! This is a project. You know I love projects.”
“I do,” I say. “I’m not going to look at my email until I get back.”
“Good. Screw them.”
“Butyoucan text me if you need me.”
“Okay, thank God,” she says in a rush. “Spencer’s still out. Who gets mono anymore? Seriously.”
I grin, feeling a bit of the weight I’d been carrying around lift. Two people down, only everyone else in my life to go. “It feels realer when I talk about it. Less scary.”
“I also feel like I’m helping? Which makes me feel good, so it’s a win for both of us.”
I go to reply when my phone buzzes with a text by my ear.
“If it’s anyone from the team, just send them to me,” she says as she hears it too. “The revolution starts now.”
“It’s Andrew,” I say, checking the message.
Oliver says you can help yourself to anything in the kitchen if you’re hungry.I told him you’re always hungry.
“I said I was taking a nap. He probably thinks I’m asleep.”
“Ah yes, your other issue.”
“He’s not an issue.”
“A conundrum, then.”
