Page 61 of Blueberry Cake
“That doesn’t mean you have to accept it without a fight.”
“I know. If we were buying somewhere I might be a bit more selective.” Queenie closed the distance between them, resting her forearms on his chest while her fingers combed through his beard—God, she was obsessed with it. “I don’t mean it in a bad way when I say I don’t have high expectations. I’m just looking forward to living together, no matter where that is.”
“Me too.” He smiled, and Queenie wanted that image etched into her mind for the rest of her life. It was mesmerising. “I just want to be sure you would feel comfortable living here.”
“I would.” Then, lightening her tone, “As long as thethird bedroom becomes my dream craft room.”
“Anything you want.”
Boyd showed her around the amenities: the on-site gym and the pool, which Queenie took special interest in. Deciding they’d seen enough, they went to grab dinner.
“Are you sure you don’t need help with the party?” she asked as the waiter walked away with their order.
“I appreciate it, but no. I want you to just sit back and relax. This is supposed to celebrate you, not stress you out.”
Taking a sip from her lemonade, she practically swooned with the dreamy way Boyd watched her from across the table.
“I’ll pick you up Friday evening and everyone will join us Saturday morning.”
“I’m really excited. Maggie has never been to the beach.”
“I’ll be sure to have a tent up and a cot for her to sleep in.”
God, could he get any more perfect? “You’re so thoughtful.”
“Parenting is hard enough and I want everyone to feel welcome.”
“Is it bad that I forget you’re a parent yourself?”
Boyd laughed and shook his head. “No, because my son is grown and not hanging onto my hip like our friends. At least, I hope he’s past that phase—hey, what’s the matter?”
Queenie blinked tears out of her eyes, and Boyd reached across the table to brush them away with his thumb. “I’m not sure, I just feel so loved and then you saidourfriends. It hit home.”
“I do hope our little circles can merge together.”
Queenie leaned into his palm, enjoying the warmth of his touch until their food arrived. They talked more aboutthe party before she moved onto gushing over the apartment. She already knew exactly how she wanted to decorate her craft room.
At the end of the meal, she dreaded saying goodbye. It would be a full four days before they would see each other again, which felt a lot longer than it actually sounded. She pulled him into a kiss, latching onto the hair at the nape of his neck.
“I love you.”
He hummed and brushed his lips against hers again. “I love you too. Soon enough we won’t have to say goodbye like this anymore.”
“I can’t wait for that.”
“Be safe and message me when you get home.”
On Wednesday, her actual birthday, she was flooded with birthday texts and hugs at work. Just as she thought it all was dying down and she could get some work done she was called to the front office. She’d expected to see flowers or a present sitting on the counter. What shedidn’texpect, was to see Boyd standing there holding said flowers.
“There is the woman of the day,” he called as he saw her come down the hallway. “Looking absolutely gorgeous in that dress.”
Queenie blushed, accepting the flowers while students giggled behind her. “Thank you.”
“Couldn’t miss wishing you a happy birthday in person.” With his hands now free, he took Queenie in his arms and kissed her. “Have you been having a good day?”
“It’s even better now.”
“Good.”
