40. Mason
Chapter 40
Mason
August 2023
It’s 3:30 pm on Thursday and I’ve just finished up a meeting with one of my clients. There’s a light knock on my door and without even looking I say “Come in.” Logan walks into my office with a huge smile on his face.
“Hey, I’ve been thinking. I know we’ve already gone over the paperwork and such but what if…”
I close my laptop, giving him my full attention.
“What if… what?” I say, not sure where he’s going to take this.
“Okay, so what if we expand and you open an office down there? I’ll take over this location and you’ll oversee the one down in Georgia. We won’t have to deal with any of the lawyers for the buyout and you’ll still be able to practice. I’ve already looked up and Georgia accepts reciprocity from New York.”
“I honestly hadn’t even thought about going that route. I planned to take a few months off, help my parents around the farm, and just enjoy being back home. I guess I could still do that if we don’t follow through with the buyout. I’ll think about it tonight and let you know tomorrow. Thanks for looking into that for me, you didn’t have to.”
“No problem. I know how hard you’ve worked to get this place up and going and it’s only fair that you don’t have to do that again. You’ll have to work up your clients again, but with the backing of this firm, you’ll have no issues with that. Plus, you’re a known name down there being that you grew up there.”
“You make some really good points, Logan. It’s definitely sounding promising.” My fingers are drumming on my desk as I think through what he’s said.
“Think about it and we’ll discuss it tomorrow or next week. Even if I am approved for the buyout, we don’t have to move forward with it if we decide differently.”
“Will do. Thanks again.”
Logan nods before turning to leave my office, shutting my door behind him. I’ve got a lot to think about. I wish I could call Cal, but I haven’t told her about this yet. I was trying to keep it a surprise, so I guess I’ll call my parents tonight and get their take on it. I’ll call Holden, too. He’ll know what to do. He’s also a lawyer, so he’ll have that layer of understanding.
I grab my phone off my desk, bring up Holden’s contact, and hit call.
Ring.
Ring.
Ring.
“Mason, what’s up?!”
“Hey, man. Uhh, I had something I wanted to talk to you about. You have a minute, or should I call you later tonight? I’d like to get your input before bringing it up to my parents to get theirs.”
“I’m off this week so go for it.”
“Oh nice, man. You sure? I don’t want to interrupt anything you’ve got going on.”
“No, no. Go for it. I’m just sitting here watching TV.”
“Alright. So, the whole moving back to Georgia thing… My partner came to me with another idea today–not going through with the buyout and opening another location in Georgia. He’d oversee the one in New York and I’d be in charge of the one down there. So, we’d still be partners, but we’d be working in different locations with our own offices. What’s your take on that?”
“I say if you can trust that he’d keep your name in good fashion in New York and that you’d be able to run your firm down there go for it. You’ve been in law long enough to know that no matter what you do, it’s going to take some work. Being that you’ll be back in your hometown it could be easier to get clients down there. I’d start by looking at what kind of offices are available in or around Harbors Grove. You won’t want something huge if it will just be you and I wouldn’t buy an office, I’d look at ones you can rent. But overall, yeah, I’m all for it. You’ve got what it takes to make it successful.”
“You really believe that? I also want to bring it up to my parents because while they don’t have a law background, they’ve been running the farm for decades. So, they know small town business where I’d essentially be opening up shop.”
“Yeah, I do. You’re a good man, Mason. You’ll do fine. Your parents will be able to give you more beneficial insight into that aspect, for sure. Chat with them about it and let me know what you come up with.”
“Thanks, man. I can’t wait to see y’all next month.
“Can’t wait to see y’all either. We’re all excited about meeting Callie.”
“She’s excited but a little nervous. I’ll holler at you after I talk to my parents and figure out what I want to do.”
Okay, so that was easy. I wasn’t sure how Holden would take that or what he’d say about the offer my partner made but I’m glad I got his approval. It’s close enough to 5 that I gather my work bag, my phone, and my keys and head out towards the front of the office building. Leaving here will be so bittersweet. But well worth it if it means getting back to Callie.