“Intentions?” Elise blinked. “I thought we were just eating turkey.”
“We all thought that once,” Patrick said, sighing.
Across from them, Dave, another army friend, was secretly feeding green beans to Brownie and Piko under the table. “Who’s a cute boy? You are. Yes, you both are.”
“The dogs get food, but I don’t?” Milo whined.
“So, how’s the company doing, Perry?” Joe asked, pulling Boone’s parents into the conversation.
“Well,” Perry answered, voice curt. “It would be better if my son would take his place in the family business.”
Boone broke away from his conversation with Elise. “Not happening, Dad. We already talked about this. I am very much not an accountant.”
“Whatareyou exactly?” his mother asked, voice full of ice. “Some handyman for this…place?”
Milo eyed the macaroni and cheese, mouth watering. “Demarien says he’s a fixer. Boone sees a problem, and he does his best to fix it. It’s a calling.”
“What does that even –”
“Boone, honey.” Demarien walked back into the dining room, a soft look on his face. “Your friend Haley is here. Can you find her and her angels some seats and dish them up some plates?”
Behind him stood a young woman, dressed in worn clothes with plenty of holes. Two small children hovered behind her, dressed in similarly worn-out clothes and without jackets.
She was a young woman from his self-defense class who he knew was having a hard time as a single parent. “Hey, come in. Sit here, by Mia and Elise. I’ll hunt up some chairs for your kids. I’m guessing this is Tony and Becca?”
Haley nodded, swallowing hard. “You said we could come here if we wanted to.”
“I did, and I meant it.” He grinned and offered his seat. “You have to try the turkey. My Demarien is the best cook, so I’m sure you’ll love it.”
“Exhibit A,” Milo said, grinning. “Golden boy with his heart of gold.”
His parents watched Boone, horrified, as he made room at the table for the kids and fetched more plates.
Dave smiled and poured the young woman a cup of water. He winked at the kids and pointed under the table. They peeked at the dogs and giggled when Dave fed another green bean to Brownie.
“You invited a homeless person here?” his mother asked, voice lowered so only he could hear it.
“She’s having a hard time with an ex, Mom. Everyone needs a little help now and then. Remember how bad off I was when I was discharged? I had you and Dad. She has no one. Demarien and his friends are just what she needs.”
“Yes, single, pregnant omegas make such a good role model for young children,” she hissed.
“Mom,” he said, a warning in his voice.
“I just don’t understand.” She stood, pulling his dad with her. “We need to go. Sorry for the short notice. Another obligation popped up at the last minute,” she told the group around the table. “Have a good day.”
Joe arched a brow. “No need to fake politeness, Lynda. Sit down and enjoy the meal. Boone and Demarien are together, whether you like it or not. These are the holidays you’re gettingwith your kid. If you don’t like it, adjust your attitude, ‘cause you can’t change a damn thing.”
She gave him a shocked look and plopped back into her seat.
Perry rolled his eyes and sat again. “No need for drama, Joe.”
Joe smiled innocently. “No need at all.”
Boone gave him an adoring look. “You’re my second favorite person, Joe.”
“My son better be your first.”
“Of course he is.”
