Absent in the Spring (The Shakespeare Sisters 3)

Lachlan shrugged. ‘You’ve got plenty of time to think about that.’

‘She’s due in five months.’

‘But she gets maternity leave, right?’

‘She’s leaving her job.’ Grant was suddenly cagey.

‘She wants to be a stay-at-home mom?’ Lachlan asked, his eyes wide. ‘I thought she loved her job.’

‘She’s been offered another position. A better one. They’ve agreed she can take it up after the baby arrives.’

A genuine smile split Lachlan’s face. ‘That’s amazing. I’ll call her tomorrow to give her a double congratulations. She must be buzzed.’

‘There’s something else,’ Grant added quickly.

‘What?’

‘It’s at the University of Florida,’ he said, his voice low. ‘We’re planning to move back south.’

Lachlan opened his mouth to reply, but nothing came out. Just a soft whoosh of air that dispersed into the night. He took another sip of beer, to moisten his dry mouth more than anything else, trying to work out why his chest felt like it was being squeezed by a constrictor.

‘Florida?’ he repeated.

‘Yeah.’ Grant lifted his bottle up. ‘Go Gators.’

A shrill siren cut through the silence of the rooftop garden, and Lachlan followed the van’s progress, his eyes tracing the blue lights as it criss-crossed the city streets. He felt as though he’d just been punched in the stomach, a Grant-sized fist leaving a hole in his gut.

‘We really want to bring this kid up away from the big city,’ Grant told him. ‘Plus we’ll be closer to family, and only hours away from Miami. It makes sense to make the move when the baby comes.’

‘Yeah, sure.’ Lachlan nodded.

‘It won’t be for a few months. Six at least.’ Grant was almost stumbling over his words. ‘I’ll help you source a replacement, you won’t be left hanging, I promise.’

‘A replacement?’

‘A new assistant. We have enough ti

me to train somebody new. And who knows, they may even be better than me.’

‘Never.’ Lachlan wanted to ask if Grant would source him a replacement friend, too, but pushed the thought down as soon as it flashed through his mind. ‘You’re irreplaceable.’

Grant laughed. ‘That’s what they say.’

‘Florida, though, that’s a hell of a long way to move.’ Lachlan finished his beer, putting the empty bottle on the table. ‘You can still work for me down there. I’ve got the hotel, and I’m looking at some other places to expand into. What do you think?’

Grant rubbed his chin. ‘Yeah, maybe. I don’t know what we’re planning to do with the baby yet. But if the offer still stands when we make the move, I’ll seriously consider it.’

‘If you want a job, it’s yours. You know that.’

‘You don’t need to do me any favours,’ Grant said. ‘Not that I’m not grateful for everything you’ve done. Because I really am.’

‘It wouldn’t be a favour. You’re too good a worker to lose. If you want to work part time, full time, from home or whatever. Just say the word.’

‘I appreciate that. Thank you.’ Grant sounded choked. ‘It’s going to be a big change, being a dad, moving away from here. It’s nice to know there are options.’

‘You’re a good friend,’ Lachlan told him. ‘My best friend.’ His only friend, but that didn’t need to be mentioned. ‘I’ll always be here for you.’

‘And I’ll be there for you, too,’ Grant promised. ‘Man, we’re getting all goddamned emo, aren’t we? Shall I grab us another beer?’