Page 16 of Thresholds

"It wasn't hundreds of ideas," I said while Shannon rolled her eyes. "Two dozen. No more thanthirty."

"Afterhundredsof rejected ideas, are you choosing this one? We've found the one gift that meets all yourrequirements?"

"One gift to rule them all," I saiddarkly.

Ignoring that primeLord of the Ringsreference, Shannon continued, "You're saying yes to thedrawing?"

I stared at her, unimpressed with the tirade. "Yes, Shannon. I'm certain. Thank you for your exhaustive assistance." I rolled my hand, gesturing for her to continue. "What's our nextstop?"

"You're welcome." She pulled her notebook out of her bag and flipped it open. "I only have a few things to handle," she said. "You don't mind touring a property in Lexington, do you? It just came on the market, and I want to get in while I can. Oh, and I have to see a new one inCharlestown."

"Is that all?" Iasked.

"I need to grab some nursing camisoles," she said. "I was going to ask Judy to get them, but I'm particular about them and figured I should do itmyself."

"I don't know what that is, but yeah. Sure," I said with a sigh. "Anythingelse?"

"Just a trip to the bank," she said. "And a couple of other stops. Quick. It won't take much time. And I need to help you choose that frame. You probably want some drawing paper and fancy pens, right? We should go to the art store. The one you favor in CentralSquare."

I glanced at the time on my phone. "Will's going to kill me for keeping you out all day, isn'the?"

Shannon shook her head. "Unlikely," she replied. "We just won't tell him any of the details. What he doesn't know won't hurthim."

"Yeah, that's exactly why he'll kill me." I tossed some bills on the table and glanced at her. "Are we getting you another lunch? Perhaps afternoontea?"

"Don't say things like that unless you're serious. I've been trying to get the girls to skip the pedicures in favor of high tea one of these days. They weren't having it. They like tequila too much. However, if you're up for a stop at The Reserve at The Langham Hotel, you'll never find yourself sitting on another milkcrate."

"Heavens to Betsy," I muttered. "I'm not dressed for that. We'll have to save tea for anothertime."

She bit her lip, holding back a small smile. "How about a frappe for theroad?"

I stood, laughing. "We'll take the long way to Charlestown, and swing by Kelly's Roast Beef in Revere. How aboutthat?"

She made a noise that was frighteningly close to a cat's purr. "There will always be a real chair in my office for you," shesaid.

Chapter Four

Patrick

This wasmy kind of afternoon. My inbox was blissfully empty, my belly was full with the best burger I'd had in weeks, and I was double-fisting beer and bourbon before two o'clock. If only every workday was punctuated with a lunch like thisone.

The only thing that could make this better would be the complete absence of my chatterboxbrothers.

Sam, god love him, believed it was his fatherly duty to regale us with tales of his son's every gurgle and hiccup. The youngster was enjoying sweet potatoes and avocados these days, and—I was told—this ensured his future as agenius.

Matt was no better but instead of effusive details about infant sleep patterns, he was busy being an irritable son of a bitch. That gig was usually reserved for me, and I didn't like sharing it withhim.

I was secretly hoping I could melt into this booth without gaining their notice. When Matt set his phone down and shifted toward me, I knew I had no suchluck.

"How was that trip to Maine?" The lunch crowd was clearing out but Matt still had to raise his voice for me to hear him across the booth. He flipped his phone over, gave it a quick grin, and then swirled the remaining inch of bourbon around his glass. "Hanukkah,right?"

"Right." I laced my hands around my beer, nodding slowly. "That fucking trip was…a fuckingtrip."

"Yeah, Tiel said Andy wasn't pleased," Samadded.

"Oh, yeah? That's what she told your wife?" I asked, crossing my arms over my chest. "Because that's more than she's toldme."

Matt held up his hand. "Slow down. What the hellhappened?"