Page 60 of Blueberry Cake
“Anything we can help you with?”
Instead of responding to Archie, Boyd turned to Oliver. “I was hoping you’d agree to take some pictures.” Oliver had quite the eye, spending his free time as an event photographer when he wasn’t punching the corporate clock.
“I thought you’d never ask.”
Archie patted his friend’s shoulder. “Better not be the one to spoil the surprise.”
“Why don’t we have a photo booth so you have anexcuse to run around with your camera?”
“Sneaky fucking bastard. I love it!”
With a much lighter heart that his friends also agreed this was a good idea, they discussed more of their plans over lunch. When it was time to leave, Archie rested his hand on Boyd’s shoulder.
“I’m thrilled for you. You deserve this.”
“Thank you. Now it’s time for our last bachelor to get a woman too.”
Oliver shrugged, visibly fighting the urge to rubberneck when an attractive-looking brunette strutted by. “Nah, let me be a whore for just a little longer. But Archie is right, you two are so freaking adorable.”
Boyd had no words to express how much that meant to him.
Queenie
Queenie was the first to arrive at their apartment viewing. Looking up at the glass façade, she tried to tamp down the guilt. This was so far out of her price range that she felt catapulted into a new world.
“You look terrified.” Queenie spun, seeing Boyd approach from the opposite side of the street. “It won’t bite, you know?”
She sighed, letting him pull her into his arms. “I know. How was your lunch?”
“Good, the guys are excited. Oliver loved the photobooth idea.”
“He does do that for events too, doesn’t he?”
“He does.”
With another sigh she looked back up to the building. “So why this place?”
“It’s big enough for the two of us, and it’s equal distance between our jobs.” With a kiss to her temple, he added, “I bought the place years ago. My tenants are moving out and I thought you might as well see it.”
“How do you want us to handle rent?”
“The same as we typically would. I can also have a leasedrafted up for you so you have every right a tenant would.”
“But the payment would still be fair?”
“Yes.” Boyd took her hand and led her inside. “The current tenants allowed me to show you around.”
“That’s very nice of them.”
A woman greeted them at the door, letting them into the apartment before giving them their space. It was very spacious, with a gorgeous kitchen and floor-to-ceiling windows that provided a stunning view of Houston. The master had luscious granite countertops and a jacuzzi bathtub that solidified Queenie’s decision.
“I thought you might like that.” Boyd leaned against the door frame. “Anything you feel wouldn’t fit us?”
She shook her head. “I think it’s a perfect fit.”
He tilted his head and crooked his brow. “You are allowed to not like things. It’s only our first viewing.”
“You are aware that probably anything you’ll show me is more extravagant than I could ever imagine, right?”
