AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Busy,” Camilla said before perusing the tablet in her hand. “Abena, your massage therapist is here. She’s a bit early, but if you’re ready for your appointment, that will give me time to review your calendar next week for Boone. You have some extra appointments that -”
“No need,” Abena said briskly. “This is Boone’s last week with us.”
Camilla looked up from her tablet, her face paling as a soft growl escaped her throat. “What? Why?”
“I’m being reassigned,” Boone said. “Alison will be taking over for me. She’ll stop in on Friday to meet Abena.”
“But your nan needs you,” Camilla said.
“Actually, she’s moving back to her home at the end of this week,” Boone said.
Camilla frowned. “That seems really soon. Your nan isn’t young, and what if she reinjures her hip or, worse, breaks it again?”
“It’s true that with this type of injury, she’s ahead of schedule in being independent,” Boone said. “But that’s all because of Hedra. She was incredible at getting Nan to do her therapy exercises and helping her strengthen and become independent again. If it weren’t for her, Nan would probably need to stay with me for another couple of months.”
Abena patted his hand. “I’m so glad your mate has helped her recover.”
“Hedra and Boone are just dating,” Camilla said. “They aren’t mates.” She stared at Boone. “Are you?”
“We’re mates,” Boone said. “She agreed to keep living with me after Nan moves out.”
Abena smiled at him. “You look very happy, Boone.”
“I am,” he said.
Abena rose gracefully. “If you’ll excuse me, I don’t want to keep Zola waiting any longer.”
“Of course.” Boone stood. “I’ll be here at eleven thirty tomorrow to escort you to your lunch with the studio.”
“Thank you, Boone.” Abena squeezed his hand before leaving the library.
Boone turned to Camilla, “Will you have time to meet with Alison on Friday as well, or should I ask her to - Camilla, what’s wrong?”
Camilla was gripping the back of the sofa, and her nails had punctured the soft leather. Her face was still pale, and she stared silently at him.
Boone’s tiger made a low growl, and Boone shushed him absently before touching Camilla’s arm. “Camilla, your hand.”
She glanced at her hand and made a soft sound before releasing the couch. Her claws returned to nails, and she studied the five punctures in the leather before sighing. “Shit.”
“Are you okay?” Boone asked.
She nodded and then shook her head. “No. I’m upset that I won’t see you anymore, Boone.”
An awkward silence ensued. Boone had never been a people pleaser or the type to tell someone what they wanted to hear just to ease an awkward moment. Besides, telling Camilla he’d continue to see her as a friend wasn’t fair to her when he had no intention of cultivating a friendship. Not when he’d always worry that any acts of friendship would be seen as more.
She took a deep breath. “You’re sure, absolutely sure, that Hedra is the one for you, Boone?”
“She is,” he said, his voice firm and full of an unshakable certainty.
A soft smile with only a hint of sorrow crossed her face. “Then I am so happy for you, Boone. Truly.”
“Thank you, Camilla,” he said.
She hesitated before giving him a brief, hard hug. “Goodbye, Boone. Take care of yourself.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” he said. “And on Friday when I bring Alison over.”
“Right,” she said. She traced her finger over the punctures in the sofa. “I need to call to get this repaired. Talk to you tomorrow, Boone.”
