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“Nice to see you again.” Michael shook Boone’s hand and grinned at Hedra. “Hey, Hedra. Happy birthday.”
“Thanks, Michael,” Hedra said.
Michael smiled at the others. “Hello, everyone else.”
“We were just discussing Althea returning to our place tonight,” Jerry said.
“On account, you’re a human like your mama and won’t hear us having sex, but Boone would,” Althea said.
“Nan,” Boone said.
Michael grinned. “Lucky me. Are you two ready to go?”
Feeling like he was slowly being outnumbered, Boone said, “Michael, my nan sometimes needs help with getting to the bathroom or getting her meds in the night and -”
“I know,” Michael said. “I can help her with anything she needs. I’m a personal care worker, and I have both your number and Hedra’s. I won’t hesitate to call if I need help.”
Boone hesitated, a brief flicker of excitement rolling through him. Would he actually get to be alone with Hedra tonight?
“Michael, grab Alfie, would you?” Althea said.
“Sure.” Michael bent and scooped up the poodle with a fearlessness that Boone admired.
“Come here, Hedra,” Nan demanded.
Hedra joined her, and Boone could hear her grunt of surprise when Nan hugged her hard. “Happy birthday, sweetheart.”
“Thank you, Althea,” Hedra said.
She kissed Althea’s cheek before stepping back so Boone could take her place. He kissed his nan’s cheek. “Please don’t hurt yourself, Nan.”
“I won’t,” she said dismissively. “I love you, Boone. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
She waved at the others, and they watched silently as she, Jerry, and Michael - still holding Alfie - left the room. Ryan grinned at Boone. “Your grandmother is as awesome and stubborn as mine.”
“Hedra, are we still on for breakfast tomorrow before we head back to Rosehaven?” Everett asked.
She nodded, and Boone held his hand out to Everett. “It was nice to meet you, Everett.”
Everett shook his hand. “We’ll see you tomorrow at breakfast.”
“I don’t want to crash a family thing,” Boone said.
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Nora said before pressing a kiss against his cheek. “You have to join us tomorrow. We won’t take no for an answer. All right?”
“All right,” he said, unable to hide how pleased he sounded.
His tiger made a friendly trill to Nora, and she trilled back before smiling at Hedra. “Okay, go home and end your birthday right by banging the brains out of this handsome tiger shifter.”
“Gross,” Everett said.
“Get it,” Anthony said.
“Is there any more of that popcorn shrimp left?” Jack said.
Hedra sighed, and Boone took her hand. “Have a good night, everyone.”
“You too,” Nora said with another giggle.
