Page 17 of The New Place

Because now that he’s had the thought, he finds he doesn’t want to wait. He should have made motions to leave Callahan already, rather than lingering here, their lives punctuated by workweeks and waiting for weekends. Why not go as soon as he can? Move to Boston this spring? Catapult his life with Ned forward that much quicker? It’s been over a year that they’ve been together. It’s time. It’s past time, Abbot is suddenly sure.

“I’m just saying that entertaining this Newbury thing would be a very, very good idea,” Steve says.

“Are you trying to free up Abbot’s spot here?” Ned teases. “So Chris has the budget to bring you on?”

“I swear I’m more altruistic than that,” Steve says. “I’m looking out for you, Henry, if you do want to move.”

“What’s next, you offering your grandmother’s house?” Ned asks.

“Oh, wait—that’s actually a good idea,” Steve says. “You want it? That’d be so much better if it went to someone I know.”

“You forget I’m a mid-thirties professional living at home with his parents,” Ned says.

“Exactly,” Steve says.

“Happily living at home,” Ned says.

“Henry, you take it then,” Steve says. “I’ll take yours up here. Easy, right? And how nice is your office? Do you have your own parking spot I could snag too?”

“One thing Callahan has is plenty of parking,” Ned says.

“See? This is the best move of my life.”

“It isn’t, because you’re lighting out of Adams, and you and Jess both love it there,” Ned says. “And now you say your position won’t be open? And there’ll be changes? What gives?”

Steve groans into his beer. “I can’t tell you anything else.”

“I will make sure you get my old office,” Ned says. “It comes with your very own coworker you have to share it with. And the window doesn’t work. It’s either up or down, so make sure you choose right, ‘cause you have to live with your decision in summer and winter both.”

“Air conditioning?” Steve asks.

“Of course not.”

“Shit, you guys are good friends. I feel bad, but I promised Jess.” Steve squeezes his eyes shut and then says in a rush, “Listen. Keep your eyes out for something for yourself too, okay, Ned?”

Ned laughs. “Like a job? For me? Is that what you mean?”

“I never said anything,” Steve says. “But this thing at Newbury? Henry, it sounds like you’re a shoo-in, if you take it. You two might want to jump on the spousal hire idea too.”

Ned has to laugh again, because Steve is just too ridiculous. “What? We’re not married, if you haven’t noticed.”

“I really can’t talk about it because I don’t officially know anything, but just say, hypothetically, my wife caught wind of some news and we’re both looking for new jobs. And—and you should too, Ned.”

“I love it at Adams. I’m not leaving,” Ned says.

“How much is changing?” Abbot asks.

“A lot,” Steve says.

“Hey, lovebirds,” Pat says, appearing at Ned’s shoulder before Steve can say more. He has a woman in tow who comes only to his shoulder. She tucks short brown hair behind her ear, but it immediately slips loose again. “Steve, right? Hey, man. This is Claire. And Claire, this is Ned’s better half, Abbot. Certainly smarter. Less annoying. I like him more, for sure.”

“I’m sitting right here,” Ned says.

“Hello,” Abbot says.

“Nice to meet you,” Claire says. “And Ned, thank you, really. My sister is so happy.”

Ned leans into Abbot, a warm press against him. “I stuck Pat with a bachelorette,” he whispers with a grin.