Page 106 of A Lesson for Laurel

She laughed some more. “We both stepped in it pretty good. Did you find out where we are going yet on Saturday?”

“We are going to a place in Manhattan. I got us a hotel room so we don’t have to drive back.”

“I’ve never been,” she said. “That’s going to be so much fun. A place that you used to go to in the past?”

“Yes. There is going to be a bunch of people. I think they are still gathering headcount and are reserving a room in the back. It’s almost like a party at this point, just not an official one.”

“So I’m going to meet a lot of your coworkers.”

“A good number of them,” he said. “Don’t worry. And if you want to know how to dress, I’m wearing something similar to the wedding but no jacket.”

“So nicer than jeans but not as fancy as a suit,” she said. “Got it.”

“I’m sure Nicole can help you more.”

“Don’t worry,” she said. “I’ll be texting her when we are done talking.”

He imagined that would be the case and it didn’t bother him. He was happy that they got along so well.

“How was your day?”

“It was good but not so good for Aster.”

Easton remembered the guy who worked with Laurel. River Scarsdale’s sister’s boyfriend. Some were six degrees of separation going on at Blossoms where people were connected by family members and spouses alike.

“What happened?”

He listened to Laurel talk about Aster and his past and that he’d be fine now. “That’s really scary,” she said. “I hadn’t known anything about him being shot. I’m not one for gossiping like that. I think Ivy just assumed I knew because Aster and I do work together on things and he did go out of town. I thought he went to help his sister move here. Daphne is Poppy’s new nanny.”

“Another one of those connections,” he said.

“It seems it,” she said. “And you’re yawning. It’s time for you to get some sleep.”

“It’s barely eight. You probably think I’m some old man.”

She snorted. “Hardly that. Just someone who works a lot. I don’t care when I’m not there. Because I know you do it so that you can spend time with me when I am there.”

“I’m glad you see that. I appreciate you not always harping on us having to talk nonstop.”

“I’m not that way,” she said. “I’m going to do some yoga and then get to bed myself. I’ll watch some TV in bed and then it’s another day closer to seeing you. Now that I know we are going to Manhattan on Saturday, what do you think about me coming a little earlier on Friday?”

“Come any time you want,” he said. “You know that.”

“Then I might leave half day. If you’re working, it’s fine.”

“I’ll get done when you get here. I promise.”

“I won’t hold you to it, but I appreciate the offer. Night, Easton.”

“Night, Laurel.”

There were no “I love yous” when they hung up and he liked that too.

He loved her and he didn’t doubt her love for him, but he wasn’t the type to say it at the end of every call.

He just couldn’t be someone he wasn’t.

35

---