Page 39 of Blueberry Cake
“Yes, he’s been very polite, though I can’t say the same for his attitude towards that waitress.”
“Nothing new there.” Lee-Ann’s eyes rested on Oliver and Queenie with curiosity before she looked at him again. “Have you spent all day with Queenie?”
“Yes. She came over yesterday and we had brunch with her parents this morning.”
“How did that go?”
“Really well.” Archie looked rather surprised, so he added, “They don’t know about Luka. She never told them, and she’d rather keep it that way.”
Archie gave a quick nod before standing and spreading his arms. “Not you, dumbass,” Archie quipped, shoving Oliver away and embracing Queenie. “The woman of the hour.” Their hug was brief, and Archie pulled back to introduce his wife.
“It’s nice to finally meet you two.”
Lee-Ann, always the hugger of the group, pulled Queenie into an even tighter squeeze. “Finally, a woman who can get this man away from his desk.”
“I can’t pride myself on that; he’s been working all afternoon.”
Lee-Ann pulled Queenie into the seat next to her. “Small steps, my dear.”
A round of drinks later, they talked about the dates they’d gone on with Queenie’s eyes gleaming with excitement. When Archie and Oliver called her over to take her first swing, Boyd leaned back and watched. She had lots of fun laughing at herself missing the first few swings before she felt comfortable and connected with the ball.
“I love how she makes you smile,” Lee-Ann softly said and sipped on her drink. “I’ve never seen you like this with anyone.”
“She makes every second I spend with her worth it.”
“Have you had a chance to talk to Luka?”
“He knows I’m seeing someone, but not who. My mom said to tell him her name to start with and go from there.”
“So, she knows?”
Boyd nodded. “I told her Friday night.”
“It’ll all work out; you’ll see.” Lee-Ann squeezed his hand and ushered him to join his woman and friends.
Eventually, the women disappeared to the bathrooms, leaving the men to their own devices.
“He made fun of her because of her arm, didn’t he?” Archie asked positioning himself to hit another ball.
Boyd didn’t have to ask who “he” was. “From what I understand, yes. But Queenie hasn’t talked much about it, nor have I asked.”
“Fucker,” Oliver mumbled, shrugging off Archie’s scolding glare. “I won’t apologize for that. It’s true.”
“I know, but it’s still your friend’s child you’re talking about.”
“And? He’s a dick for picking on the disabled girl.”
“Don’t call her that,” Boyd growled, more of a threat than he intended.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean it like that.”
But then again, was Oliver wrong? Boyd had never considered Queenie disabled but was that word so bad? He sighed and ran his hand over his face, taking Archie’s spot. With all his frustration he swung the club and hit the ball, sending it soaring through the air and flying over the edge.
“Oh, that wasn’t bad at all!”
He turned and saw Queenie skipping towards him, all the turmoil in his head instantly forgotten. “Seems like you’re my lucky charm.”
Queenie stretched onto her tiptoes and kissed his cheek. “Only if you’re mine too.”
