Page 38 of Lavender Lake
My heart panged. I opened my mouth to tell them to come, but Hadley jumped in first.
“You guys are the best. Really,” Hadley said. “But there’s no reason for you to be here right now. It’s chaos and we’re just trying to figure out a way through it.”
I looked at her and frowned.
“I think Salem disagrees,” Wyn murmured. “Don’t you, Salem?”
I blew out a breath of air. “Yeah, I disagree. I want you guys out here. But Hadley’s right about it being chaos.”
“Well, if anything changes, you say the word and we’re on our way,” Poet said.
“Even though we’ll be there in a few weeks for the wedding . . . these are extenuating circumstances,” Wyn said.
“You think the Carringtons can spare you not being with them for a month?” Hadley asked. “Who would raise their child? And tuck him into bed?”
“And change his sheets after a nightmare,” I added.
“Yeah, you’re right. God forbid they parent their own child.” Wyn shook her head. “They’re talking about having another one.”
“Dear God,” I murmured.
“I know, right?” Wyn snorted.
“I wouldn’t mind coming out early,” Poet said.
“It’s getting worse, isn’t it?” I asked. “Your job.”
“There’s no joy anymore,” she admitted. “I’m starting to wonder why I ever wanted to work in a traditional publishing house.”
“Because bookworm,” Wyn said with a rueful smile.
“I’m not cutthroat enough for this environment,” she said. “Maybe I’ll take a sick day tomorrow and go visit my grandfather in Bay Ridge.”
“Oh, can I come? It’s my day off tomorrow,” Wyn said. “There’s that bakery right by your grandfather’s house that makes me salivate just thinking about it.”
“Yeah.” Poet brightened. “I’d love that.”
Another pang went through my heart. They would have one of those perfect New York days. Riding the subway, adventuring to a different neighborhood that might as well be a different country. A whole world of experiences just waiting to happen because it was a city of eight million people.
“Keep us posted on your dad, okay?” Wyn said.
“We will,” Hadley replied.
“He’s got a girlfriend,” I blurted out.
“No way,” Wyn said.
I nodded. “Way.”
“When did this happen?” Poet asked.
“Ask Hadley, I only just found out about it,” I stated.
“Oh no,” Wyn murmured.
“Oh yes.” Hadley nodded, frowning at me like a teacher disappointed in one of her students. “They’ve been together for a few months.”
“Months?” Poet asked. “And you didn’t tell Salem?”
