Page 23 of Blueberry Cake
“I’ll be looking forward to it all week.”
“What do you need me to bring?”
“Nothing but your beautiful self.”
She grinned and bit her lip. “Will you let me know if that changes?”
“I will.”
“I’ll see you Sunday.”
“I can’t wait.”
Queenie ended the call, holding her phone to her chest and willing her heart to slow before it spontaneously combusted.
Boyd
The week went by rather slowly. After so many years alone, Boyd knew how to pass time. That was, until Queenie came into the picture. They shared texts throughout the week and after she’d initiated the first few, he felt comfortable doing the same. The last thing he wanted was for her to feel smothered.
Saturday, he spent the day on the golf course with Archie and Oliver—their monthly ritual so to speak. If he were honest with himself, he was only there for the golf carts and the company. Truth be told, he was awful at the sport. If he didn’t hit anyone with that stupid stick, the trip was considered a success.
“How is Luka doing?” Archie asked, carefully selecting his club. “Have you two chatted lately?”
“Good. Apparently, he hates his new job, but he’ll pull through to get the experience and the stable income.” Boyd scratched his beard and leaned on his club. “I’m dating the girl he bullied in high school,” he blurted.
Archie froze mid-swing. Oliver crooked his brow at him. “Luka was a bully?”
“Wait…” Archie said very slowly. “You’redatingher?”
Boyd sighed and indicated the ball on the ground. “You might want to hit that before I start this conversation.”
“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” Oliver groaned while Archie quickly focused back on the task at hand.
Once the ball was flying in the air, Boyd spewed everything. “I met her at a bar. I didn’t know who she was but when I offered her a drink, she declined because Luka gave her hell in school. I offered her my number anyway and—” Boyd shrugged, “—she texted me the next morning.”
“Your son fucked up her high school experience and you gave her your number? Great move, my guy.” Oliver snorted and bumped Boyd’s arm.
Archie rolled his eyes. “I want to know what happened after the text.”
Boyd fought the heat rising on his face. “We met for coffee.”
Oliver tilted his head and started grinning. “Are youblushing?”
“It didn’t stop with coffee, did it?” Archie pressed.
Boyd twisted a lock of his beard between his fingers. “Well, we went out again the next day.”
“This is going to be so fucking messy,” Archie groaned. “What happened to your clean, easy one-night fucks?”
“Do you kiss your wife with that mouth?” Oliver teased.
While he was on a roll of confessing things… “We are going out again tomorrow.”
Oliver’s brows disappeared behind his hairline. “Lord have mercy. She’s what? Fifteen years younger than you? Are you sure your old ass can keep up?” Oliver grunted when Boyd socked him in the chest. “Fine, I’ll be serious.”
Archie crossed his arms, trying to read his friend. “So, isthis just a fling to make up for Luka’s fuck up? Or are you serious about her?”
“It’s serious.” With another deep inhale, he added, “As serious as she wants it to be. She said she enjoyed our time together, but she’s reluctant because of Luka.”
