Page 46 of This Mate Thing

We get ready for school, and it isn't until we're ready to go that I realize Boris has made no effort to leave.I stare at him."We're going."

"Okay."But he's still in the kitchen.

"Now."

"Yes, honey."Then he focuses on Ira, who is fully dressed and waiting for me to get a move on."Have a good day in school, bud.I'll see you this afternoon."

Ira nods.

"What do you want for a snack when you get home?"

I'm about to object when Ira grins."I don't know."

"Fair enough.I'll come up with something.Do you have any homework this afternoon, or are you free to do something?"

Ira shrugs."I don't know."

"We'll see."Boris crosses the kitchen and bends to hug him.I should stop this.I should tell him to leave.Ira and I will be fine on our own.We've made it this far.

Boris straightens and leans closer and kisses my cheek."See you in a bit."

No words come, and when Ira walks out the door, I follow.What the fuck?We're silent as we walk, but Ira appears more carefree than normal.

"You're in a good mood today."

He gives me a blinding smile."Boris came back."

My heart thuds faster."Yeah."But what if he hadn't?What if he'd been hurt?"It's dangerous to be around wolves.Boris only has himself to blame if something happens to him."

Ira shrugs."It's Zahrah who goes near the wolves.He only came with her to keep her safe.It's what a good friend does.Plus, the wolf is her best friend.Boris said so."

I stare at him."You can be a good friend without putting yourself in danger.If a friend is about to do something dangerous, you tell an adult and stay away."

The look he gives me conveys how unimpressed he is."Boris is an adult.He can tell himself."

I flatten my lips, but before I can come up with something to say, we're by the school, and children are milling about.The mothers watch us as we walk closer.They're like a group of sharks, and I'm a bleeding seal.Perfect predators.

"Okay, honey.I'll come get you at the end of the day."I hug him."Have a good day at school."

He nods and hurries off.I turn and walk with rapid steps before anyone can speak to me, though I can't help but feel a little smug about the cookie order.They can stare at me all they want, but this time we contributed, most likely more than several others.

Then I groan to myself.It was all Boris' doing.

I'm back at the house sooner than I'm ready for.Is it weird that Boris is still inside?It is, right?Why didn't he leave?It's not like he had a long way home.

I open the front door with my heart in my throat and step inside.

Boris is leaning against the door frame to the kitchen, watching me.

"Hi."I don't know why I whisper.

"Hi, honey."

I sigh."Boris, we're not..."

He moves closer and wraps his arms around me."We are."

I shake my head."I'm not saying you're not a great guy."A bit reckless, too hot, and too young."But I have a child.I can't--"