Chapter 6
Simon
I should object. It's not fair to force Boris' friend to buy cookies, but a little part of me wants to melt into the chair.
If there are three names on the order form--Boris, Zahrah, and me--I'm sure Ira won't stand out too much.
There has to be some other poor kid in his class who doesn't have more than three contacts.
"Only if she wants to." I sip on my coffee to hide my expression.
"She'll want to." His tone isn't so much convincing as it is threatening. For a moment, I fear for her safety, but then I remember this is the woman who has taken the photo of the wolf. She must have nerves of steel.
"Are you into running?" He doesn't look like a long-distance runner. Way too much bulk. I slide my gaze over the tattooed skin on his forearm and the muscles playing underneath when he turns the ice cream cone to lick on the other side. Fuck. A shiver goes through me, and I force my eyes away.
"Huh?"
"You said you were heading home for a run."
He stares at me as if he has no idea what I'm talking about. "Oh...yeah?" He grimaces in a way that makes me believe he's not into running at all.
"What kind of running? You don't look like a marathon runner, if you don't mind me saying so."
"I can run a marathon." He puffs his chest.
"Good for you." I doubt I can run around the block. I used to run, but it was before Ira.
He shrugs and scrunches his face. "We normally go for a run on Saturday mornings."
"You and Zahrah?" Maybe I'm wrong about him being out chasing women every weekend. If he went on runs every Saturday morning, he couldn't be hungover. No one wants to run when hungover.
"Yeah, she's normally there."
I nod and drink some more coffee. I still don't think he looks like a runner. I wouldn't have been surprised if he said he hit the gym every day of the week, but running doesn't fit my image of him. I've been wrong about people before, though.
"I'll bring this back to you tomorrow afternoon if you're home." He taps the paper and licks his ice cream. I stare at his pink tongue for a moment before I can force my gaze away. I'm not thinking dirty thoughts. I'm not.
"If we're not, you can drop it in the mailbox."
He pulls a face. "Mailbox? Are you trying to avoid me?"
I smile. "Maybe."
"I'll win you over, you wait and see." My breath stutters at the gleam in his eyes. I drink the last of my coffee and focus on Ira, so I won't be caught perving on my neighbor...my eleven years younger neighbor.
I shake my head. It's been a lovely dinner, but it's all it is. A shared meal. I don't have time for anything else, and I sure as hell don't have the energy. It wouldn't have mattered either way. I have nothing to offer a man like Boris.
Ira finishes his ice cream and looks at me.
I place a hand on the table, palm down. "Thank you for a lovely dinner, Boris."
"You're running away from me?" It's a whine.
"Yeah, I think we are. It's been a long week, and Fridays normally end with Ira passing out on the couch right about now."
Boris frowns, then he throws up his hands. "Fiiine, but I'll see you tomorrow."
I nod and stand. "Again, thank you for the food. It was delicious." And exactly what I needed. A night where I didn't have to cook. I hesitate. I should help clean up.
I glance into the kitchen. There are no dirty dishes other than our three plates stacked on the counter. "I'll help you clean up." I take a step in the direction of the kitchen. He's in front of me so fast I almost collide with him.
"Absolutely not. I asked you over because you looked tired. I refuse to let you do any cleaning."
I can't help but smile. "It's only fair--"
"Nope. Go home, climb into bed, dream about me, and I'll see you tomorrow."
I gape at him. "What?" He didn't say what I think he said, right? He glances at Ira, but he's over by the photos, watching the one with the wolf. I shiver.
The warm hand on my shoulder startles me, and I turn back to look at Boris.
"Get some rest, Simon." He gently squeezes my tense trapezius muscle, and I almost groan. Fuck, I didn't realize how tense I am.
"Okay." I reluctantly step away from under his touch. "Thank you for tonight." I hope he can hear the sincerity in my words. I move closer to Ira and give Boris a nod. "Good night."
"Sleep well, Simon." The low purr has heat spreading through me, and I hurry over to my shoes before my expression can give anything away.
"Shoes on, Ira." I didn't need to remind him.
Ira already has one shoe on, but he doesn't say anything, simply slips the other one on and reaches for the door handle.
"Night, Boris."
"Night, kiddo."
I look between the two of them, surprised Ira said anything at all. Boris gives me a soft smile, and I hurry out after Ira. A relieved sigh escapes the moment the door closes behind me. I don't know what it is about Boris, but he makes me nervous.
We cross the deserted street without speaking, and I check the mailbox as we pass it--empty, which is a relief. I don't think I can handle seeing another bill right now.
How the fuck will we make it through next month? Tension creeps into me, and I rub my neck in a poor attempt to stave it off.
Ira waits patiently while I unlock the door, and I ruffle his hair before he crosses the threshold.
"Did you have a good time?" Good time might be the wrong expression. How much fun could it be for a seven-year-old to listen to two adults talk?
Ira shrugs. "The food was good."
"It was, wasn't it?"
"The wolf."
I freeze, then shake myself. "Yeah, what about it?"
"It looks exactly like the wolf we met. Maybe it's the same one."
I nod, though how likely is it that it would be the same wolf? And don't all wolves look the same, or mostly the same, at least.
Ira toes off his shoes but lingers a few steps off the doormat. "He said he'd meet his friend in Rutchester, right? We met the wolf there. What if she took the photo there?"
Hmm. "Why don't you ask Boris next time you see him?"
Ira grimaces.
"Go brush your teeth and put on your pajamas, and we can watch some TV before you go to bed." Most often, it ended with me carrying him to bed on Friday nights. Soon, I wouldn't be able to anymore. He was growing up so fast.
I go to my room and change into sweats and a T-shirt while gazing longingly at the bed. Soon.
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