Page 22 of Slow Kind of Love

Chapter Seven

Boone was confused.

Mouth dry, Elise attempted a smile, and for one second, that shot of fear was back tightening up her belly and making her anxious. But then Link’s warm hand and a gentle squeeze calmed things, and she slowly exhaled.

I can do this.

“I’m pretty sure you know Link,” she said carefully, watching her son warily as Link moved to the side.

Boone’s mouth dropped open, then closed. He glanced at Poppy before clearing his throat and slowly nodding as his gaze moved from Elise to Link, where he lingered stayed for several seconds. Boone’s eyes narrowed, and his hands weren’t loose anymore. They were fisted—lightly—but she knew he was on the verge of something.

A slight wind rippled down the alley between the two buildings, loosening snow from the rooftops that tumbled and swirled around the four of them until the gust died and the snow fell to the ground. No one noticed.

“We know each other,” Boone replied. He cleared his throat. “We know each other pretty good, actually. We’ve been working on a project at the sports complex for months now.” There was accusation in his tone, and she felt Link tighten beside her.

This was going sideways fast. Boone wasn’t confused anymore. He was pissed, and maybe he had no right—it was her private life, after all—but it sure felt like he did.

“Link and I…” Inwardly, she winced at her son’s obvious discomfort, or maybe disapproval. How much was she going to share with Boone? “We…”

“I think maybe we should do this later,” Poppy interrupted, threading her arm through her husband’s and glancing over her shoulder at the sound of someone laughing in the street.

“You know about this?” Boone said, clearly blindsided.

“Well,” Poppy began before her words dried up at when Boone glowered at her. He was more than angry. His gaze swung back her way, then narrowed on Link like laser beams about to explode. “What the hell, Major?”

“It’s not what you think, mate.”

“Really? So you’re not screwing my mom? Because the lipstick on the side of your mouth says otherwise. And you forgot to zip up.”

Link took a step forward, and Elise swore under her breath at the dangerous glint in his eye. She darted a look to Poppy; her daughter-in-law was just as worried as Elise.

“You might want to take a moment and before you say another word,” Link all but growled. “Think what you like of me, but don’t disrespect your mother.” The warning wasn’t subtle. It was sharp and had an edge to it.

Boone was going to explode. Elise was all too familiar with the Avery temper. Boone wasn’t mean-spirited like his father, but he had no problem getting ugly to get his point across. This wouldn’t end well.

He took a step toward them. “Are you fucking kid—”

“We’re not doing this,” Elise said, interrupting Boone as the two men squared off like gunslingers. “Not here.” She gave Link’s hand a gentle squeeze before turning back to her son. “I get that you’re surprised by this. By Link. But we’ll have a conversation later. This isn’t the time or place.”

“That’s it?” he asked sharply. “I’m dismissed?”

“With an attitude like that, yes, you are.”

For a moment, there were only the sounds of the crowds enjoying the festivities at the park and the low drone of the wind off the river as it caught at the buildings and loosened more snow.

Elise saw Boone’s confusion and hurt. This was something the two of them had never navigated before. Even David was just a…crap. David. As if reading her mind, Boone shrugged. “He’s looking for you.” A pause. “Are you going to tell me what that’s all about? Or is he a secret too?”

“David is just a friend.”

“I don’t think he sees it that way.” Boone sighed and tugged at the edge of his black knitted hat. He stamped his feet a few times and glanced at his wife before turning back to Elise. “Look, I didn’t mean to be an ass. I’m sorry.”

“I know.” Elise moved forward and gave her son a big hug. She kissed his cheek and whispered, “We’ll talk tomorrow. Swing by for coffee?”

“Aren’t you coming for dinner tonight?” He frowned and shrugged. “That was the plan. Benji’s only mentioned it ten times because he’s excited to bring Pancake home with him.”

“Right. I forgot.”

A heartbeat passed, but when her son made no move to invite Link, she didn’t push it. She knew her son needed to digest things, and truthfully, she did too. This was all happening so fast.

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