Page 30 of Blueberry Cake
“He’s got two options where Queenie’s concerned: respect her, or he can leave.”
“She really likes you. I just don’t want her to be burned.”
That first part made his heart leap. Although he’d known that Queenie had feelings for him, hearing it from Allison was the confirmation he hadn’t known he needed. “I’ve never been so enamoured with a woman. I’ll do anything for her, even if that means setting boundaries with my son that he may not like.”
Allison searched his face, looking for any hint of a lie. Boyd only relaxed once she smiled. “Please don’t make her suffer if your feelings ever change.”
“I promise.”
With a pat to his arm, Allison shoved him towards the back door. “Go spend some time with her. I got this.”
The last hour was spent watching the kids splash in the water, and being around them clearly brought joy to Queenie. Her smile never faded, not even when she helped Jessica buckle them into their car seats. “Be good to your mom and go straight to bed without a big fuss.”
“Yes, Auntie Queenie.”
“I love you both.” She gave them a kiss and waved them off before turning back to Allison and Mikey. “I’ll see you Friday. And don’t worry about cooking. I’ll handle it.”
“Of course you will.” Allison hugged her tightly, then gave Boyd the same treatment. “Be safe.”
After Boyd helped Queenie into the truck, he backed out of the driveway as she waved goodbye to her friends. “That was fun.”
“It was.”
“Whatever you said to Mikey convinced him you’re a good guy.”
“I told him the same I told you. No one disrespects my woman without consequences, not even my son.”
“Yourwoman, huh?”
“Yes, Queenie.Mywoman.”
Queenie’s head lolled in his direction, sleepy eyes sparkling in the fading sun. “Thank you.”
He reached up and ran the back of his hand over her cheek. “You’re mine and I will always take care of you.”
Boyd
With sweat dripping down his temples, Boyd set the weights aside and reached for his water. Work had been a disaster. A deal he’d been looking forward to was sinking—fast. He was beyond frustrated, and no amount of weight-lifting had been able to regulate him. So much so that when his phone rang, he instantly ignored it in favour for a heavier set. He’d had that thing stuck to his ear all day, with one upset client after the next before his real estate agent had taken the crown and presented him with a completely unacceptable counteroffer.
It was only on the trek back up to his apartment that he saw who the missed call was from: Queenie.
Fuck.
He was quick to return the call, her usual, bubbly voice instantly lifting his mood. “Hi, there.”
“Hi.”
“I was wondering if we had space in our agenda this weekend for one more thing.”
“Oh?”
“My mom asked me out for brunch on Sunday and I was hoping you’d like to join us?”
“I would like that very much. It means a lot that you want me to meet your parents.”
Boyd could practically hear Queenie’s smile through the phone. “I’m excited, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous.”
“Ah, I would be too if I was presenting such an old geezer to my parents.”
