Page 49 of Blueberry Cake
“No, they won’t, and I understand that you want their approval. I want to be in your life and getting along with your family is part of that. I’ve always prided myself on being honest and I can’t stand hiding things from them. Your past with Luka is part of what brought us together, remember? You wanted revenge.”
Queenie’s shoulders slumped, and Boyd knew she’d been caught out. “But I found love instead.”
“We both did.”
“Things are just going really well, and it’s going to stir up everything.”
“Honesty is never easy.”
“They like you.”
“And I will work my ass off to make sure they keep liking me. I want them to know I will do anything to keep you safe. I want them to see me as worthy enough to be with their daughter.” She still didn’t look convinced, so he offered her a hand. “Come here, my queen.”
The corner of her mouth quirked into a grin, and she crossed the room to climb into his lap. “I don’t like this.”
“I know you don’t and if you feel more comfortable with it, I’ll be the one to tell them.”
“I’ll see if they are home tomorrow.”
“So, you’re the type to rip the bandage off, huh?”
Queenie nodded and snuggled closer to him, letting him comfort her by running his fingers along her spine.
“Do you have the energy to talk a little more?”
“About what?”
“How we should handle arguments in the future. Because, just now, I wasn’t sure what you needed from me.”
“Space to calm myself usually helps.”
“Would you like me to throw snacks at you from a safe distance?”
Queenie giggled, running her nose through his beard. “That definitely won’t make thingsworse. What do you need when you’re upset?”
“I often suppress it. At work, I can’t let it show, so I keep it to myself and handle it in a diplomatic manner.”
“While at the same time just wanting to shout and scream?”
“Often, yes.”
“How do you wantusto handle it?”
“I think what we just did will work, but I didn’t know what to do in the moment.”
“Instead of running away next time I’ll tell you that I need a minute, and we’ll return to it once I get my head straight.”
“I like that.”
Queenie shifted off his lap, demanding cuddles and kisses until she inevitably drifted off to sleep.
Boyd
Pulling up to Queenie’s parents’ house felt daunting, but Boyd knew that it was necessary. They needed to know the truth, and he would feel lighter with a clear conscience.
Camila opened the door and pulled her daughter into a soft hug, giving Boyd the same treatment. “We didn’t expect to see you two again so soon.”
Though he knew Queenie would rather be anywhere else, she didn’t show it. “We wanted to talk to you about something.”
