Page 13 of This Mate Thing

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 timemight 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.

* * * *

Chapter 7

Boris

It's still dark when I park my car next to Zahrah's at the edge of the Rutchester Nature Preserve, far away from any official parking lot.She's leaning against the hood with a to-go cup in each hand.When I step out, she holds one out for me.

Conan, Luna, and Elora are waiting some distance away.I raise a hand in greeting before grabbing the offered cup.

"How did it go?"Zahrah sips her coffee while looking straight into my eyes.

"Good.They liked the pasta."

She snorts."Of course they did.Only idiots would dislike your chicken pasta."