Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 71110 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 356(@200wpm)___ 284(@250wpm)___ 237(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71110 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 356(@200wpm)___ 284(@250wpm)___ 237(@300wpm)
“She thinks MaeBe’s your girlfriend,” Lou announced.
Boomer frowned. “Why would she think that?”
“Because MaeBe lives here. Or she did until earlier today. Mom doesn’t pick up on cues. Like all of MaeBe’s things are in the guest bathroom.”
“That’s because MaeBe was staying in the guest bedroom. It would be weird if she put her stuff in my bathroom.” Was that why Daphne held back? He’d been worried that she didn’t feel the same pull he felt, that she wasn’t into him the way he was into her. Had she been slightly distant because she wasn’t going to flirt with a taken guy?
“Yeah, Mom didn’t pick up on that either,” Lou replied. “I haven’t pointed it out to her because I’m worried she’s cool with us all hanging out together because you’re safe since you have a girlfriend and couldn’t possibly like her in a man-woman way.”
“But I do like her in a man-woman way. Honestly, it’s in a human way. Desire is pretty much the same across all the spectrums. It’s all longing and fear of rejection. It’s kind of the great equalizer.”
“Wow. That’s deep, Boomer.”
“We’re all the same deep down, but you’re right. In my particular case, it is a man-woman thing.” He was talking to a twelve-year-old about his love life. The one he wanted to have with her mom. That was probably messed up, but Lou was a different kind of kid. Kala or Kenz would have rolled their eyes, said the word gross a bunch of times, and run off. But then they’d never had the ground shake under their feet. It seemed to him Lou was rarely on stable ground. It didn’t mean Kala and Kenz were worse kids. It merely meant they hadn’t learned the hard lesson that the world not only didn’t revolve around them, but that things that shouldn’t involve them could tear that world apart. “You know even if she doesn’t like me that way, I’m still here if you need me. I’m still here if she needs me. Me helping you guys out and being your friend isn’t for show so I can…” He couldn’t say get into your mom’s panties. That would be wrong. So wrong. It also didn’t describe what he wanted. Though he did want in her panties. He wanted her in his boxers. He wanted them both all up in each other’s private stuff. “Date your mom.”
That was better.
The bell chimed and then the secondary security system went off as both the dogs barked and Molly started talking.
“At the door. Go away,” Molly squawked.
Yeah, that hadn’t been Tag. Molly’s previous owner had been a bit of a loner.
“I’m not going away, Molly,” a familiar voice said.
Lou ran to let her mom in.
Boomer pulled the pasta off the stove and carefully poured the contents of the pot into the colander. The dogs had calmed down since they’d figured out the intruder wasn’t here to murder everyone. They’d gotten used to Daphne and Lou being around.
Damn, how had he missed the fact that Daphne thought he had a girlfriend? He’d thought he’d been so smooth, making sure he rolled up his sleeves often and picked up lots of heavy stuff around her. Some women were really into dudes picking up heavy things.
“Boomer.” Lou ran in, a book in her hand. She held it up like a trophy. “Mom got my book back and she told Grandmother that I could read whatever I want as long as I do all my work. I’m going to call Kala and tell her the hit is off.”
“Dare I ask what that means?” Daphne watched as Lou ran back out, the dogs following her.
He did not want to know. Kala could be serious about her future profession. “I think it means Lou’s making friends.”
She looked so good. He loved it when she walked into his place like it was a normal thing. She was wearing her uniform. Worn jeans, sneakers, the bakery’s T-shirt. Her hair was in a messy bun on her head, and she carried a small box that would have cookies or cupcakes or whatever that brain of hers had thought up.
She also looked a bit tired, a little weary, as though the world had cut her up a bit more today.
“You okay? I take it you went a round or two with your mother-in-law.” He turned off the heat to the sauce.
She nodded, her eyes steady on him. “Yep. I did, and then I got to deal with a surprise health inspection, which I passed with flying colors, but it was exhausting, and I thought MaeBe was your girlfriend. Noelle might have mentioned that she’s not.”
Thank god they were going to put it out there.
Or was she putting it out there so she could let him down easy? Was she about to tell him he was nice and all, but she was looking for someone more on her level? She wouldn’t say it like that. She was far too polite, but he would understand.