Absent in the Spring (The Shakespeare Sisters 3)

Resting his arm lightly on her shoulders, he led her over to the desk. The man standing behind it smiled broadly as they approached. ‘Good evening, Mr MacLeish. We have your usual table reserved. Elise is

working in the VIP area tonight; she’ll show you to your seats.’

Lachlan slid his hand down Lucy’s back, resting it in the curve between her hips. ‘This way,’ he murmured.

‘You come here often, then,’ Lucy said, her eyes wide as they approached the stairs leading to the VIP section.

‘Occasionally.’

She turned to look at him. ‘Enough for that guy to know your name.’

‘He’s paid to know my name,’ Lachlan pointed out. ‘He’s good at what he does.’

A sudden realisation washed over her face. ‘You own this place, don’t you?’

‘What makes you think that?’ He was hedging his answer, trying to see what she was thinking. But she gave nothing away.

‘The way we cut the line. Then the way that guy greeted you. Come on, admit it, you own it.’

He tipped his head to the side, his eyes crinkling. ‘On paper.’

‘I knew it.’

As soon as the hostess saw them enter the VIP area, she walked straight over, a huge smile on her face. ‘Mr MacLeish, it’s a pleasure to have you here.’

He leaned down to press a kiss to her cheek. Lucy tensed beside him, then wrapped her arm around his waist.

‘Good evening, Elise. Are my guests here yet?’

‘They just arrived,’ Elise said, still smiling. ‘I’ve put them in your usual booth. Can I bring you some drinks over while you get settled?’

‘What do you want to drink, baby?’ He looked down at Lucy.

‘I don’t know. Wine maybe?’ She shrugged. ‘Prosecco?’

‘Bring a bottle. And four glasses. Plus some water, please.’

He could feel Lucy turning in his arms. ‘Water?’ she asked. ‘Can’t you take your alcohol?’

He laughed. ‘Jenn’s pregnant.’

‘Jenn?’

‘My friend’s wife. She’s married to Grant, my PA.’

Almost immediately her eyebrow raised up. ‘Grant’s your friend?’

‘Yeah.’ He wasn’t quite sure where she was going with this.

‘You have to pay people to be your friends.’ Her grin widened. ‘It gets better and better.’

‘Are you going to emasculate me all night?’ he asked her. ‘Or are we going to go and have a good time?’

‘I couldn’t emasculate you if I tried,’ she said. ‘You’re too damn alpha for that.’

‘Thank you. I think.’

‘You’re welcome.’