Wilma scoffed, waving her hand dismissively. “That girl’s liable to make ya sick with all that fried food!”
“Half your menu is fried food.” Boone pointed out.
“Now, don’t you say that, Blondie-Boo. You know I try my best to focus on healthy meals here, but even I have to relent when it comes to the classics.” Wilma crossed her arms and tossed her head back with a scoff. “As opposed to Sammie’sentiremenu, minus two dishes. Wouldn’t be able to bring no piggies to her place, either.” She stooped down to peer into the carrier. “Ain’t that right, little fuzzies? Sammie wouldn’t have a pretty plate full of veggies for you guys as I do.”
Demarien cocked his head. “Miss Wilma, are you trying to bribe us to like you better than Sammie?”
“Now, I wouldn’t have to bribe you for that.” She gave them a pointed look. “Right, boys?”
“Yes, ma’am,” Boone and Demarien said at the same time.
Wilma spun around on her heels and headed back into her kitchen. “Be right back. Have a seat.”
Boone barely had time to call out a thank you before some regulars were waving to him and Demarien. Mostly Demarien. They were undoubtedly happy to see the cheerful omega doing well after word spread about Bernard’s murder.
Their eyes were friendly, sparkling with recognition and delight. Those were stares Boone could handle. It was the onepiercing straight through him that he wasn’t too keen on. Across the diner, an absolute behemoth of a man was staring him down.
Joe Watts.
Boone jumped as Demarien gripped his hand and gave it a gentle, reassuring squeeze before heading toward the booth to join his dad.
“Hey, Dad.” Demarien chuckled nervously. “Thought you would’ve already been back at the store by now.”
Joe shook his head. “Had to take my lunch late today. A meeting with a couple of the vendors ran over.” He eyed Boone for a moment. “I don’t have long before I have to head back, but I’m sure there’s enough time to explain this.” He motioned to Boone and the carrier in Demarien’s arm.
“Dad, you ever get that feeling that something’s missing in your life? That maybe there’s someone out there who will mend your soul? Be the other half of your broken heart?” Demarien smiled sweetly.
Boone’s jaw dropped, and Joe went from mildly curious to completely horrified. “You’ve only been in town for one day, son. You can’t marry Boone after one day.”
“Oh, I’m not talking about Boone, Dad.” Demarien held up the carrier. “I’ve recently met my soulmates in guinea pig form. See?”
Joe peered at the carrier with a wary eye before sighing. “Why am I suddenly disappointed?”
I feel you, Boone thought, fighting a pout.
Demarien smirked and leaned over to whisper to Boone. “Classic diversion tactic. Mention the beans or something else equally adorable, and even interrogation-mode Dad calms down. Butter him up, so to speak.”
Boone flashed a wide grin. “You mean to tell me you butter-beaned him?”
Demarien let out a soft gasp of delight just before Joe took the carrier from him, dragging a chair from a nearby empty table. Without a word, Joe placed the carrier upon its rightful throne as Demarien and Boone got settled on the other side of the booth.
An uncomfortable silence hung in the air as Demarien handed Boone a menu and flipped through his own. Despite not really knowing Joe, Boone could tell he wasn’t a man who stayed quiet long. Lord help you if heweresilent, for the world was about to shift drastically. Boone wasn’t sure whether to try to break the silence or risk it.
Thankfully, he didn’t have to make that choice.
“Welcome to Hell,” Joe said in an ominous voice.
“Dad!” Demarien smacked his arm across the table. “Listen, if you’re gonna insult Wilma’s place like that, we’re gonna have some words, you and me.”
“What? You know I love this place as much as you do. I’ve just always wanted to say that, and the awkward silence gave me a reason.” Joe playfully slapped back at Demarien. “And look. I have a hellish council to back me up now.” He motioned to the carrier. “They’redevilishlycute.”
Joe looked up and waved as a few old friends entered the diner, calling out a hearty greeting before turning back to his son. “I wondered why you wanted my old running shoes this morning.” He took a bite of his meal and eyed Demarien’s feet. “Don’t you have shoes of your own, son?”
“Yeah, but I figured after yesterday, having something of yours around, even for a bit, would help me relax.” Demarien’s menu drooped to the table. “The two of you are the most comforting people to have around right now.”
A shiver ran down Boone’s spine as Joe glared at him. “This stranger? Comforting?”
“Come on, Dad. You know Boone.”
