Page 40 of Boss of Attraction

“Just make sure you’re not letting work consume all your time, Declan. It’s important to maintain a healthy work-life balance.”

“I know, Mom,” I reassured her as I slid my key into the lock. She had worked three jobs when I was a kid and I knew she felt as though she missed out on so much when it came to me. I supposed she didn’t want the same for me, but I wasn’t going to argue with her. “But if I want him to promote me once I pass the bar, I need to do whatever he asks.”

“I just worry about you.”

“And I worry about you.” I walked into the quiet, empty apartment.

“Me?”

I nodded and closed the door behind me. “You’re on your feet all day at the diner. You need to relax too.”

“I’ve been working there for over twenty years. My body is used to it.”

“Well, once I make associate money, I want to get you a nicer place to live.”

“A nicer place?”

“Yeah, like an apartment or something.”

“Oh, sweetheart. You know I don’t mind living in a trailer. Have for my entire life.”

I sat on the couch and rested my head against the back. “Still. When I can afford it, I’m going to get you a place with a pool or something.”

She chuckled softly. “A pool?”

“Yeah. Apartments have pools.”

“I know, but what’s special about a pool?”

“I don’t know, but wouldn’t it be nice to lie by one and enjoy the sun?”

“Absolutely.”

“See? That’s what I want for you.”

“Sweetheart, it’s not your job to provide for me.”

“I know that, but I want to.” I sighed.

“We’ll see. You still have bills of your own. Plus, you can’t live with Sam forever.”

“I won’t be. I went with my boss to look at a condo he’s thinking about buying and seeing what he could afford sparked something in me. One day, we’re going to live in a place looking over the river.”

“We’re? You mean me and you?”

“Yeah.”

“Declan, sweetheart?—”

“Just let me do this for you.”

“We’ll see.”

“Fine.” I rolled my eyes.

“All right. I won’t keep you any longer. I just wanted to check in.”

“I appreciate it, Mom. I’ll talk to you soon, okay?”