Page 85 of The New Place

“I could send her flowers.”

“You could send a text,” Ned enunciates. “Ask if she wants soup. If she even likes soup.”

“Who doesn’t like soup? It’s soup. Oh, isn’t there that marriage soup? Wedding soup? Italian or something? I’ll get you and Abbot some of that, while I’m soup shopping.”

“You are no help.”

“You’re even less.”

“What do I say to Abbot?”

“Ask him what kind of soup he likes.”

“About Beverly,” Ned bites out.

“Oh, I have no idea. Just don’t freak out. More than you already are, I mean.”

Ned blows out a breath. Him and Pat, floundering through their relationships. They need Abbot here to steer them, no matter that he’s half of what they’re trying to figure out. Might as well bring Claire in too for some advice, since she seems pretty sensible. Yes, they can put together a talk like Ned just gave, complete with a slide deck and helpful charts, and clue Ned and Pat in on what the hell they’re supposed to be doing.

Because what is going to happen? Abbot will move to Boston and—and Ned won’t live with his ostensible fiancé? Oh, hell, how are they going to explain that?

Maybe Abbot won’t find a place. Today will be the start of a headache of searching for something he likes, and he’ll conveniently move into a tiny apartment in the meantime. And stay there. With his millions of dollars that mean he can buy pretty much whatever he wants, even in Boston.

“Abbot’s coming down this afternoon,” Ned says. To look at houses, he doesn’t add, and is thankful Pat doesn’t know to ask. “So I’ll talk to him. And if you haven’t heard from Claire, we’ll sort something out. But I’m sure you will have.”

Yes, it’ll be better to talk to Abbot in person. They can figure out what to do, together.

Ned just hopes whatever plan they come up with is the same one.

20

ABBOT

Sandy meets Abbot on the sidewalk with a folder full of glossy papers and her collar turned up against the cold. “You found it alright?” She motions to a house that’s all reflective glass and modern, boxy lines. “I’d say let’s look around the exterior for a bit, but how about we hustle inside? This wind!”

“Ned’s just a moment away.” Abbot checks his phone again and looks down the street for Ned’s car, but he follows her up to the porch.

She retrieves the key from the lockbox and they go inside. “Now that’s better,” she says, shutting out the howl of winter’s assault. “So good to see you again, Henry. How are things? I hear Liesl is on her way.”

“Tomorrow.”

Abbot tenses for any more intrusion into his life, but she just smiles at him.

“I’d be happy if she brought some warmer weather with her!”

“Yes, that would certainly be nice.”

“I will say, what an advertisement for new construction, isn’t it? Can’t feel a bit of draft in here with these windows. Triple paned, such a nice touch, and the light in this entryway just can’t be beat.”

“It’s very lovely,” Abbot says, looking around. It is. It’s fine.

He checks his phone again for Ned, but there’s nothing.

“I’ve been excited to show you this spot,” Sandy goes on. “I could really see you and Ned being happy here. It’s right at the top of your budget at three point two.”

Ah. Perhaps it’s better Ned isn’t here to hear that figure.

Sandy must see it on his face, because she leans close, conspiratorial. “We can negotiate down, of course.”