My hands were shaking as I walked into Jones’ office. I can’t believe I let Luke talking me into risking my job. He had a strange spell over me.

“Good morning, Bria. What can I do for you?”

He was a very direct man. I liked that he didn’t beat around the bush like Schreiber.

I watched him shuffle the documents he was working on. Younger than his partner by a good fifteen years, David Jones was another in the long line of lawyers his family produced. He had neatly cropped, short blond hair and a solid jaw. His suit probably cost more than my car.

When he finally looked up I considered abandoning the whole plan and running back down to the records room.

“Bria… what is it? I have a busy morning.”

“Mr. Jones, I uh…”

Be confident. Like Luke said.

“I need two weeks off,” I blurted.

He sat back in his chair. The springs made an audible creak.

“Time off?”

“Yes.”

I had to push through. It was like ripping a Band-Aid off.

“I hope there isn’t a family emergency,” he said.

“No, nothing like that. It’s to go on a… vacation. With my… friend.”

He cocked and eyebrow and the expression on his face was almost comical.

“And when do you plan on taking this vacation? Because the last time we spoke you went on and on about how committed you were to the firm. You said that you would do anything for a spot on the team once you passed the bar.”

“I’m leaving the day after tomorrow,” I said, meekly.

“The day after tomorrow.”

His laugh was incredulous.

“You mean to tell me that you are going to take off for two weeks to go gallivanting around and you’re only planning on giving me forty-eight hours’ notice?”

“I was just hoping-.”

“Hoping? There’s nothing to hope for. It’s sounds like you’ve already made up your mind.”

“I don’t want this to seem disrespectful, Mr. Jones, but I’ve been working hard here for a long time. I put in long days, I come in almost every weekend, and I do really good work.”

It was like Luke’s words were coming out of my mouth.

“And the bottom line is I’m starting to burn out. I’d love the opportunity to work for you in the future and I still plan on giving you the same effort when I get back, but I’m not going to be any good to anybody if I work myself into the dirt. A once in a lifetime opportunity popped up. If I didn’t really need this, I wouldn’t ask. And I think you know that.”

Jones closed the laptop that was perched on the corner of the desk.

“Have you been studying?”

“For the bar,” I asked. “Yeah. Every night when I get home.”

“Then why haven’t you taken it?”

“I want to make sure I’m ready.”

“You’ve been ready for months. But you’re putting it off because you’re afraid.”

“I…”

“You’re afraid of failing. You know you’re ready, but you’re scared.”

“Sir, again, with all due respect I didn’t come here to talk about the bar. I just really need some time.”

He paused and seemed to be thinking to himself. It was a common trait among lawyers. Take your time formulating your words carefully so you don’t commit too much one way or the other.

Finally, he spoke. And when he did, he said what I never would have imagined.

“Take your vacation.”

My jaw almost hit the floor. When it did, the usually stoic professional couldn’t even help himself from cracking a smile.

“In fact, don’t wait for the weekend. I want you to leave now.”

“Is… is it a permanent vacation?”

“Bria, you’re right. You have been working incredibly hard and I don’t want you to think we haven’t noticed. I’ve been waiting to see a little life out of you.

I breathed a sigh of relief.

“So no, this isn’t a permanent vacation. We value your effort. I value your effort. If you need to get away to blow off a little steam, then so be it. I don’t mind being short-handed around here for a while if it means I keep one of my top employees happy.”

“Oh, Mr. Jones! Thank you!”

“No need to thank me, you earned it. Just try to give me a little more of a heads up next time so I can get my ducks in a row. I suppose that while you’re gone I can have Jamie manage your workload.”

That was the icing on the cake. I wanted to be a fly on the wall when Jamie found out he would be picking up my slack.

“There is one condition, however.”

My smile dropped away.

“What’s that?” I asked.

“When you get back, you’re taking that exam. In fact, that’s the last thing I want you to do before you leave. Set it up with the association so you can take it upon your return.”

“I… Uh…”

“Don’t make me regret this decision,” he said with a warm smile.

“Of course. I’ll make the arrangements right now. Thank you again Mr. Jones.”

He gave a polite nod and jumped right back into his work.

I felt like my head was in a cloud. I couldn’t wait to tell Luke.