"Zahrah, Oswald, Conan, Luna, Elora, and a few others.I'll get us going.Promise."
I'm quiet for a moment."Okay, good.Let me know when you're on your way, so I can time the rice to your arrival."
"Will do."He lowers his voice."See you soon."
I close my eyes."Yeah, see you soon.Drive carefully."
And then the waiting game starts again.I try watching TV, but nothing holds my attention.
When I get a text saying it's time to put on the rice, I rush to the kitchen, relieved at having something to do.I stand there and watch it boil until headlights caress the windowpane before Boris turns into his driveway.
I watch them exit the car.Boris is carrying the booster seat in one hand and is gesturing with the other.Ira has a big grin on his face, and my heart clenches.Fuck.
When they open the front door, I go to meet them."Hi."I smile and try to sound as if I haven't been counting down the seconds to their arrival.
"Hi."Boris' voice is husky, and I focus on Ira, so I don't have to deal with it.
"How did it go?"
"Zahrah has new photos up at Beantopia.There is one of thewolf who is her best friend when he's stalking through the forest."
"Her best friend, you say?"A little light goes off in my mind.Boris has said it a few times, hasn't he?The wolf who is Zahrah's best friend.I look at him, and he shrugs.
"It's amazing what kind of photos you can get when you have a good connection with an animal."
I roll my eyes at the grin he gives me, but I feel a bit stupid.If the whole shifter thing is true, and I've seen it a couple of times now, so it has to be, right?Then there was never any danger.Boris is the wolf in the photos.
Fuck, what did he look like?I try to remember the photos, but all that pops up in my mind is how I threw rocks at it.At him.
I shake my head before looking at Boris again."Would you like to stay for dinner?"
He tilts his head to the side, a small smile teasing his lips."You know I do."
To save myself from having to reply, I hurry off into the kitchen and grab a third plate.
Ira is practically dancing around, happily prattling on about what this and that person said, and how Conan allowed him to taste several different cookies, and how Zahrah got him hot chocolate.
I mock glare at Boris."You've corrupted my son."
"I never said I'd play fair."
I shake my head and put the food on the table.I don't know how we would've survived without Boris these last couple of weeks.I've applied for several jobs but have heard nothing back.
The mood is relaxed as we eat, and when we're done, I clear the table and serve the apple pie Boris made."How many orders did you manage today?"
"About half."Boris cuts Ira a piece of pie, then he does the same for me, before serving himself.
"Unless he has any homework or something he needs to do, we can go again tomorrow."
"Yes!"Ira is bouncing with excitement.Such a difference from how he's been these last couple of weeks.Different from how he usually is.He's always so reserved.
I meet Boris' gaze."We'll...eh...have to see--"
"No, I want to go."Ira pouts, and I wonder if the day is starting to catch up with him.Maybe he's overly tired.He's not normally a kid who pouts.
Boris says nothing, and I shrug.
"You can come too, Simon."Boris' voice is warm.
