Page 44 of Blueberry Cake
“Yes, there is, because I’m sure you’ve been stressing about me all afternoon. I’m sorry, I should‘ve told you I was safe.”
“I know that now.”
She let out a long breath. Boyd could hear shuffling, and could almost picture her getting herself comfortable with her favourite blanket. “I was caught off guard and just blanked.”
“He surprised me too. I didn’t know he was in town. I would’ve warned you if I had.”
“I guess it was just a horrible coincidence, and now I’ve made you the latest office gossip.”
With a much lighter heart, he sat down too, pulling the fluffy blanket over his legs that he’d gotten specifically for her. “Maybe I should add ‘workplace gossip’ to my benefits package.” Queenie’s responding giggle spread warmth through his veins and when she didn’t speak, Boyd continued, “Would you like to talk about it?”
“You first. What happened after I stormed off like a child?”
“You weren’t childish, Queenie. Your boundaries had been crossed and stepping back is a natural response. After you left, Luka and I talked. He knew I was seeing someone, but didn’t know who. I didn’t know how to tell him without punishing him for his past behaviour. I made it clear that I knew what he’d done and I won’t tolerate it now.”
“Thank you. Then what happened?”
“We actually had a deep conversation about my relationship with him.”
“You two okay?”
“He’s going through a rough patch and just needed to be reminded that he wasn’t a fuck-up, rather my greatest blessing.”
“Sometimes it’s nice to be reminded of that.”
“You are a wonderful blessing too, Queenie.”
“Don’t make me all giddy! But I feel the same about you.” With another sigh she softly said, “I know he’s your son. I mean, I knew that all along, but seeing the two of you together… I won’t become best friends with him, but I won’t act like I did today. Even though the past still hurts, I will be more civil.”
“Youwerecivil, just overwhelmed.”
“I still feel bad.”
“I don’t want you to.” Letting his head fall back and enjoying the peace of mind that she’d reached out to him, he added, “Thank you for your care package, it made me feel special.”
“I had fun making it.”
“Will you let me come over after work tomorrow?”
“I’d love that. Would you mind bringing some of that food from before?”
“The Italian place?”
“That’s the one.”
“Of course.”
He let her chat about work for a little before sending her to get her rest, hearing her suppress more yawns by the minute. Although he hadn’t wanted it to play out like it had, Boyd slept soundly knowing that he wasn’t keeping anymore secrets.
Queenie
Two weeks after the office debacle, she sat in traffic on her way to Boyd’s apartment. She was half an hour late to meeting Boyd’s mother. To be fair, Luka would be there too, which she had suggested, hoping it would be less awkward in a group setting. She hadn’t seen or talked to Luka since she’d left Boyd’s office, so she wasn’t sure how to handle it. The only thing Queenie was confident about was that Boyd wouldn’t put up with any nonsense.
An hour late, she finally arrived and Boyd was already waiting to help her out. “God, that was frustrating.”
“I’m just glad you got here safely.” He leaned down and kissed her, but when he tried to pull away, she hauled him in again by his necklace. Dizzy and breathless, Queenie finally relented. “Feeling better?” he teased.
“Much better.”
