"I remember very well what it's like." He took a long sip of his drink. "I also remember very well why I left. It's not for everyone." He shrugged. "And you seem too human for that work, Alexis."
Alexis straightened. For her, that was a pretty huge compliment. "You think so?"
"Heck yes. Somebody who can write beautiful poetry like you is far too human to be a corporate lackey."
Alexis nearly spit out her iced tea all over the crisp, white tablecloth. "You remember my poetry, too?"
"Hard to forget when I've been staring at your poems in my office for the last twenty or so years."
"Excuse me?"
"Your poems. The one about streets of fire and then the one about the golden summer. I could go on, but I daresay your cheeks have gone magenta."
Instinctively, Alexis's fingertips pressed against her cheeks. "They're in your office?"
"Oh, not all of 'em. Your mother has a few favorites in picture frames. Helps keep you close by even when you're far away." He paused, drinking in her reaction. "You know, Alexis, she couldn't be prouder of you. I know your relationship isn't all it could be, but whatever your impression is of your mom, she loves you."
Alexis bit her lip. Although her relationship with her mother wasn't any of Morris's business, she knew he had good intentions, not to mention a daily front row seat.
After all, her mother had been working for Morris since before Alexis was born.
"We're working on it," Alexis said. "I think we've made some progress."
"You know how you could make even more progress?" he asked with a twinkle in
his eye.
Alexis knew what he was going to say. "If I take a job with you?"
He shook his head. "I don't want to offer you a job, Alexis."
Her eyes widened. "You don't?"
"No, ma'am. I want to offer you my practice. It's high time I retire and pass the baton to a worthy lawyer."
Alexis's hand flew to her heart. "And you think I'm the right choice?"
"I know you are."
She closed her eyes for a moment, trying to process his offer. It was so unexpected. "But how do I draft a will? Don't I need to pass the Florida bar exam? I'm a member of the New York bar." Her mind was flying in a hundred different directions.
"Now don't go making a list on me. You'll remind me too much of your mother."
"Morris, have you had the practice valued?" Between her savings and Mark's life insurance and estate, Alexis had plenty of money, but she had no idea how much Morris would want for the practice.