Page 37 of Blueberry Cake
“Ah, we’ll get along just fine.” Camila beamed at him before she turned to the waiter and gave him her order.
Once their menus were whisked away, Christopher focused his attention on Boyd. “Queenie said you work in marketing?”
“I do. I built my own company and dipped my toes into real estate along the way.”
“Real estate sounds much more interesting,” Camila said.
“They both have their perks.”
Christopher, however, was intrigued by it all. “What do you do with the properties you own?”
“Most I own are leasing buildings for passive income.”
Christopher was rather interested, but when they went into deeper detail, the women at the table checked out and began their own conversation. Boyd only looked over once he heard his name—and Queenie’s teasing giggle.
“Boyd said he’s horrible at it, so I’m not too afraid of embarrassing myself.”
Now his woman had his undivided attention. “Horrible at what?”
“Golfing.”
“Ah, yes, the bane of my existence.”
“Queenie said you’re going to Top Golf with your friends,” Camila explained.
“We are, though I’m only there for the company. They just like to torture me.”
“I’m excited. I’ve always wanted to try it.”
“If you make it the night without taking an eye out, Oliver and Archie might invite you to the golf course.”
Queenie’s face lit up. “Guess I have some work to do.” When the waiter came to refill their coffee, Queenie excused herself from the table. “I’ll be right back.” She stood, pinning her mother with a stern look. “Paws off my chocolate croissant.”
Camila pressed her lips together to hide her cheeky smile and ordered more before the waiter walked off too. “She’s so excited to have us meet you. She hasn’t introduced us to anyone since college. Have you met Allison and her family yet?”
“Yes, just this week—along with Jessica and her kids. Queenie said they’re the siblings she never had.”
Boyd didn’t miss the flicker of sadness over Camila’s eyes before she hid them behind a bright smile. “Well, she seems very happy around you.”
“She has brought lots of joy to my life too.” With a grin so bright that it hurt his cheeks, he recalled, “She actually sent me flowers the other night and I felt like the luckiest man alive.”
Pouting, Christopher feigned offence. “I never get flowers.”
Camila patted her husband’s hand. “I’ll fill your next new toolbox with tulips.”
Christopher entwined their fingers and lifted them to his mouth, his smile leaving dimples in his cheeks. “I’mlooking forward to it.”
Queenie returned to the table, and the four fell into easy conversation. When Christopher called the waiter to pay, Queenie shook her head with a mischievous twinkle to her eyes. “I paid already.” Both Boyd and Christopher opened their mouths to protest, immediately silenced by a stern look. “I was not about to deal with both of your egos wanting to pay, so I took care of it. Besides, I enjoy spoiling my parents. And you,” she added, turning to Boyd, “have been spoiling me plenty. It’s time you let me pay for something.”
Bothmen pouted, while Camila found the situation rather amusing. She rose from her seat, pulling her daughter into a hug. “Thank you. Even though your father won’t admit it, he appreciates it.”
Back at their cars, Christopher gave him a firm handshake and Camila pulled him in for a hug. “Have fun this afternoon.”
“Thank you, Mom.” With a kiss to her father’s cheek, Queenie waved them goodbye and took Boyd’s hand. Boyd helped her into her seat and the moment he took his, Queenie pulled him into a passionate kiss. “Told you they’d love you.”
“Next time I’ll have to keep a close eye on you. If I’d known what you were up to I wouldn’t have let you out of my sight.”
She laughed and caressed his cheek with her thumb. “I’ll have to figure something else out, huh?”
