Page 55 of Blueberry Cake
Thinking about finding a new place felt exciting but also daunting. “How would you like to handle financials?”
“As much as I would like to tell you not to worry about it, I know you’d hate that.”
“I would.”
“What percentage of your salary goes into your rent currently?”
Queenie bit her lip, doing the math in her head. “Like fifty? Maybe sixty?”
“We’ll keep it at fifty or below and I’ll make up the difference.”
“‘Below’ doesn’t sound very equal.”
“No, it’s fair. Why should you pay more of your income than I do?”
“Because you’re contributing much more.”
“I don’t see it as such.”
“I don’t want you to think I’m using you.”
“Queenie, Iknowyou are not using me. Why should I punish you by making you pay more than you make? You have built your life and I’m not about to get up in there and ruffle everything up. Besides, you could spend that moneyon other things. How are you going to buy me flowers if I force you to spend all your money on rent?”
She rested her forehead against his and took a deep breath, fingers roaming through his beard.God,it was the most soothing thing she’d ever found. “As you wish.”
“And if we don’t find anything in time, you can always move in with me for a while.”
“I do love your home.”
“Just not the drive to work.”
Boyd tipped his head back and took her lips in a soft soul-healing kiss. With her arm around his neck and her fingers curled into his beard, she held him captive until she felt dizzy from his love.
After she’d changed into her swimsuit and covered it with a flowy beachy dress, they returned to the living space where Luka had just walked in from the porch. He had one towel tucked around his waist, scrubbing at his hair with a second. When he saw Queenie, he stopped in his tracks.
“H-hi,” he stammered.
“Hi.”
There was a moment of awkward silence before Boyd laid an arm around her waist. “We’ll be out for a walk, don’t start cooking dinner until we get back.” He directed his last words to Beatrice who elegantly ignored him with a smile.
“Have fun.”
“I’m serious, Mom. We cook together.”
Beatrice threw her hands into the air. “I wasn’t aware that my son is allowed to boss me around.”
“What was it you used to tell me growing up? My house, my rules.” And with that Boyd pushed her out onto the porch and down the stairs to the beach. “She’ll have it all done when we return,” he mumbled, lacing their fingerstogether.
“She only wants to take care of you. And I’m sure she enjoys that gorgeous kitchen.”
With their feet sinking into the wet sand, waves lapping around their ankles, Boyd and Queenie soaked up the sun on the private beach.
“I was thinking of bringing you out here for your birthday.”
She crooked a brow and tilted her head to meet his smile. “You were?”
“Yes, with your family and friends as well. I’m sure the kiddos would love it.”
