Page 16 of Blueberry Cake
“But you do have friends? I mean, do you even have time for them, being such a workaholic?”
“Good friends pick up where they left off no matter how much time has passed.”
“That’s very true.”
“The two that were with you Friday night, are those your close friends?”
“Yes. We don’t get to go out for girls’ night often, but when we do, it always feels like nothing’s changed.”
At the entrance, he didn’t hesitate to pull out his credit card. Though as with breakfast, he could feel that it bothered Queenie. Inside, she pulled out the map and pointed out the elephants. He followed her directions, her arm hooked into his.
“Why does it bother you when I pay for things?” he asked.
“I don’t want you to think I’m using you for money.”
“Rest assured, I don’t. I haven’t had someone to spoil in a long time. I enjoy it.”
“You haven’t?”
“Been with a woman? No, not like this.”
“Like going on dates, you mean?”
“I’m a workaholic, remember?”
Queenie opened her mouth to answer, but something else commanded her attention: the baby elephant. “There,” she whispered in awe. “She’s so cute!”
Indeed, she was adorable, clinging to her mother as they walked out of the elephant enclosure and into the warm,morning sun. Queenie snatched her phone, taking what seemed like a hundred pictures. He, on the other hand, stepped back and took his own. He snapped his time, capturing Queenie in her element with the baby in the background.
“Turn around, Queenie,” he commanded, enamoured. “Don’t lose that beautiful smile of yours.”
She did as told, and he snapped a few pictures of her with the elephants. “Thank you.”
He made sure to send her the photos, then approached her, taking her chin between his fingers. “So beautiful. Do you always wear dresses?”
“Often, yes. I don’t have to think about matching anything when I do.”
“Clever woman.”
“I always thought of it as lazy.”
“Work smarter not harder. Everything in my closet matches so I don’t waste my morning thinking of what to wear. Time is too precious for that.”
“Stop being such a smartypants,” she scolded playfully.
He fell into step next to Queenie. Being with her required no effort. At least, not the kind that made his head hurt. Though he hadn’t dated much, he had always felt like women were hard work. With Queenie, it was different. Conversation felt like a breeze, but the silence that fell between wasn’t awkward either.
“Would you let me spoil you too?” she asked, walking out of the gorilla house.
“You want to spoil me?”
“I’d like to, yes.”
“I’ll take it.”
Queenie smiled so brightly it lit up her entire face, andhe got the idea that he wasn’t the only pleaser in this relationship. She took a look down at her map, then guided him to one of the shops.
“I thought maybe we could have some ice cream. It’s getting hotter by the minute, but the restaurant is farther away.”
