Page 12 of Blueberry Cake
“Did she support you?”
“Of course she supported me.” He stirred the noodles, meat, and cheese sauce all in a pan. “She was the only reason we survived—and the reason I finished school. Luka’s mom didn’t want him, but it was too late for an abortion. She resented him for changing her body. While my mom watched him, I went to school and work so we could eventually survive on our own.”
“She must be very proud of you.”
“Well, she always says Luka is the best thing that happened to us. I know it was for me. Without him, I likely would’ve ended up living paycheck to paycheck at some blue-collar job I’d grow to resent.” He filled a bowl for Queenie and turned to give it to her, immediately regretting his choice of words. “I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
“He may have been the best thing to happen tome, but he was clearly the worst thing to happen to you.”
Queenie only shrugged, taking the food offered. “Doesn’t mean you can’t love him. Clearly, he gave you the right motivation. Otherwise you wouldn’t be standing here, would you?” She sat with him at the table and the moment she tasted the food, she beamed at him and did a happy dance in her seat. “That’s really good.”
“Damn,” Boyd cursed, feigning disappointment. “I guess that means no dinner date.”
Queenie worked on her next bite of pasta, drawing out her response. “I suppose I could make an exception.”
That made his heart flutter in a way it hadn’t for a while. “I look forward to it.”
They fell silent as they emptied their bowls, and Queenie asked for more once hers disappeared. He happily nodded but before he could move, Queenie was out of her seat and helping herself.
“So, Boyd, what do you do on your weekends when you’re not meeting up with strangers in the park?”
“Work.”
She gave him a flat stare as she returned to her seat. “Does a businessman like you not get days off?”
“I do.”
“But you’re a workaholic.”
“You see right through me.” Queenie grinned and gave him a wink, stirring up those butterflies again. “What do you do on your weekends?”
“Run errands, mostly, but I try to at least plan one activity that takes me out of the apartment.”
“What was on your list today?”
“Grocery shopping, but I heard the zoo has welcomed a baby elephant. She made her debut two weeks ago, so I’m hoping it’s not too busy now to see her.”
“Is that activity an exclusive event or is it open forinvitations?”
“I’m not sure, no one has asked yet,” she replied with a cheeky grin.
He laughed, knowing he would have to bite the bullet. “Queenie, would you allow me to accompany you to the zoo tomorrow?”
“I would like that very much.”
“What time works for you?”
Queenie pulled out her phone and started typing. “They open at nine. Maybe we can beat the heat a little if we go early.”
“Sounds like we have a plan.”
“Maybe even a date?” she asked with a blush creeping up her throat to her cheeks.
“Yes, Queenie. It can be a date.”
“Well, then I’d better get all my errands done today,” she said, collecting their dishes and carrying them to the sink. “Do you want me to help with these?”
