“Possibly we will discover someplace higher to stay now.”

I nod despite the fact that my coronary heart isn’t in it as a result of actually, there aren’t too many higher locations that we’d be capable of afford. No less than she owns the trailer outright, so there may be that small blessing. Certain, it wants some exterior work, however earlier than my dad acquired harm, he had fully renovated the inside. So even when we will’t do what she’s hoping, perhaps I can discover a handyman to come back out and put a pleasant solar porch on the again, and construct a carport or one thing so I gained’t get soaked each time it rains.

Opening the door, I hear the delicate chime and look to my proper the place the receptionist is sitting. Nice. Estella Graves is sitting there, a smirk on her face. She was the bane of mine and Mags’ existence in highschool, and it seems that she is relishing some type of secret or one thing.

“You’re right here to see Mr. Knox?” she asks as we make our approach to her desk.

“Sure, Estella,” Mother replies, fully oblivious to the way in which Estella sneers at us.

“He’ll be with you shortly.”

We sit down and I idly flip by some superstar journal as we wait, questioning how lengthy that is going to take and whether or not or not we will danger treating ourselves to a pleasant lunch earlier than I’ve to prepare and go into work.

“Mrs. Smith?” a male voice calls out.

I search for and see… is that Jared? Holy hell, he has positively crammed out from the gawky teenager I bear in mind. We each stand and head in his course, and I work onerous to maintain a nice, ambivalent look on my face.

“Cassidy? Is that you simply?” he asks as we close to his aspect.

“Hey, Jared, good to see you once more,” I say. Nicely, perhaps not good. I are likely to lump all of the Knox siblings into the identical group as their asshole older brother, Cade, however perhaps that isn’t truthful. Particularly given how divine he smells. In actual fact, he had executed what he may to make my highschool years tolerable after Cade left, even going as far as to take me to promenade our senior 12 months. Of all of the Knox boys, I felt closest to Jared, who’s a 12 months older than me and a 12 months youthful than Cade. When Cade had gotten married, it was Jared who informed me then held me whereas I cried.

Jared

Holy fucking hell! I knew she had moved again to city when her dad acquired sick, however I hadn’t seen her in any respect. Certain, she works on the native grocery retailer, but it surely appears every time I’m in there, she’s both off or on break, and I hadn’t caught a glimpse of the lady I had crushed on onerous years in the past. Time has made her extra stunning, and I’ve to take a deep breath and remind myself that she seemingly hates all of us.

Because of Cade. After all, my piece of shit brother is sweet at ruining issues for others, he’s executed all of it my life if I’m being completely sincere with myself.

“You look stunning, Cassidy,” I murmur as she passes me. I see her eyes look at me earlier than a blush frivolously colours her cheeks.

“Thanks. You’re all grown up now, huh?” she asks. Yeah, in additional methods than one if the tightening in my slacks is any indicator. Fuck, I’ve by no means had a lady have an effect on me like her earlier than.

“Yeah, that occurs, y’know,” I reply, chuckling a bit as I usher the 2 girls into my workplace.

Hopefully, I can speak her into assembly me for espresso or one thing as a result of I certain as hell need to see if what I felt all these years in the past can develop into one thing else. She had all the time been variety to me after we had been youngsters, even when my jackass of a brother was being, effectively, a jackass, and I’ve fond recollections of taking her to the promenade, in addition to all of the loopy films we’d go see. In actual fact, I feel I spent as a lot time along with her as my brother did after we had been youthful. She was pal again within the day; right here’s hoping I can rekindle that into one thing extra.

As soon as they’re each sitting within the chairs in entrance of my desk, I open up the file in entrance of me. Mr. Smith was in an industrial accident that finally brought on his dying, and it took a number of years to get what I felt the suitable settlement could be from the corporate. Employee’s Compensation coated their half, however he acquired injured and subsequently died because of the direct negligence of the corporate itself, so I went after them for all I may get. I knew they’d struggled when he acquired harm, and talked my dad into taking the minimal doable quantity for our payment, wanting them to get the majority of the cash. It wasn’t like I wanted the cash. We had been just about the one sport round and our repute as a agency that will battle onerous for his or her shopper meant we had loads of billable hours elsewhere.

“Women, I hate that it took so lengthy, however I really feel we acquired the absolute best settlement we may, all issues thought-about,” I state. “Whereas it can by no means exchange Mr. Wayne, the corporate has provided six million {dollars}.”

I hear Mrs. Smith gasp and see Cassidy’s face pale, earlier than she asks, “How a lot will that be after lawyer’s charges?”

Taking a look at her, I reply, “Cassidy, we’re taking a flat quantity solely. If I may have talked Dad into it fully, we wouldn’t have taken something in any respect…your dad was an necessary a part of this group.” I rapidly do the maths in my head, notice we’ve executed about 5 hundred hours of labor, multiply that by my hourly charge, then minimize it in half. “We’re taking seven thousand for our payment.”

“That… that’s not sufficient, Jared,” she states. “I do know y’all labored so much on this case and there’s no means that’s sufficient.”

“It’s sufficient, Cassidy.” I maintain my voice agency. I gained’t again down irrespective of how onerous she presses.

“Are you certain? I don’t really feel proper… it looks as if we’re taking benefit or one thing.”

“I’m optimistic. Now, Mrs. Smith, let’s go over the discharge kind, okay? I’ve learn by it however need to clarify something you don’t perceive when you’ve gone over it.”

* * *

It takes a while to clarify the discharge and what it means, however finally, we have now all the discharge kinds crammed out, and I hand Mrs. Smith the licensed test, minus our charges.

“Women, I gained’t say this was a pleasure, as a result of I do know that this cash on no account brings Mr. Wayne again to you, however I’m glad we had been in a position that can assist you get some remuneration for his loss.”

“Jared, thanks for every little thing you’ve executed to assist Mother,” Cassidy replies. “Now, for those who don’t want me for anything, I must get house so I can prepare for work.”

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