Page 12 of How to Date a Younger Man
When he grasps both of Layne’s shoulders and gives them a squeeze as he passes, I have the strange urge to punch the guy for putting his hands on her.
Okay, that’s weird. It’s not like Layne’s never brought a guy around before. There’s just something about this one that bugs me.
Maybe it’s because I know she thinks it could lead to something serious. And based on the vibe I’ve gotten in the last five minutes, this guy isn’t going to be good enough for her. A smart, gorgeous woman like her deserves someone who’s the full package, not some safety-net guy who’s going to give her two-point-five kids and a white picket fence while slowly boring her to death.
Once Brian’s out of earshot, Kristen flashes Layne a knowing smile. “He seems nice.”
Layne nods in agreement. “It’s just been so easy with him, you know? No drama, no game playing. It’s been great. I finally feel like I found someone I’m on the same page with.”
Wren picks at the blood-red polish on her thumbnail.
“What did you think, Griff?” Layne asks, surprising me.
“My opinion matters?” I ask, tipping my glass to my lips and taking a long drink.
A small crease forms between her brows. “Of course it does.”
I shrug. “He seems . . .” I search for the right word, narrowing my eyes as I think it over.
Boring. Dull. Like a tool.
Finally, I settle on, “Mature.”
Layne’s full lips part into a smile, and it eases some of the tension inside me. “Exactly.”
As long as she’s happy, I should be happy too, right? So, why do I feel angry at the thought of her ending up with a guy like Brian?
Let it go, Griff. It’s none of your damn business.
“What did you do last night?” I ask Wren, hoping to move the conversation along to a new topic.
“I broke up with that guy I was dating.” Frowning, she takes a sip of her champagne. “He was a snob and terrible in bed. I swear, one more bad date and I’m writing off men. Except you, of course,” she says with a smile and a wink for me.
“Sounds like you’re better off without him,” I say.
“Griffin, sometimes I think you’re the only guy who actually knows what a woman needs,” she says with a sigh.
“Yeah, and what’s that? Someone down to earth who can supply multiple orgasms?” I look right at Layne as the words leave my mouth, and she shakes her head, wearing a knowing smirk.
She sees right through my games, but that’s part of our fun.
When Brian returns to the table, our server appears, and we place an order for several appetizers and another round of drinks. And when the perky young waitress turns to saunter away, I watch as Brian’s gaze drifts south, lingering on the curve of her ass in her skintight black pants.
Real mature, Brian.
My assumptions were correct. Brian is a tool.
I might not be the right man for Layne, but I’m pretty damn sure that neither is this dick, Brian.
5
* * *
LAYNE
“Cheers, babe, to our six-month anniversary, and to many more to come.” I raise my champagne flute and smile at the literal dream-come-true of a man sitting across from me.
Brian smiles back, his chocolate-brown eyes glittering in the warm candlelight of the intimate French restaurant I picked out for our anniversary. My schedule has been packed lately, and it’s been a while since we’ve gone on a real date, so this time, we decided to go all out. After all, it’s not every day you get to celebrate spending six months with a man who makes you grateful not to be part of the dating scene anymore.
“Cheers,” he replies, clinking his glass to mine.
We’re both taking a sip as our server returns with our entrees. Coq au vin for me, and the chef’s signature sea bass for him.
My mouth waters at the smell of our food, and watching Brian’s face light up brings a smile to mine. This place has been my best-kept secret in the city for five years now, and I’m so happy to finally have someone to share it with.
“Bon appétit,” the waiter says, bowing slightly.
“Merci beaucoup,” I reply.
Brian and I dig in, appreciative moans escaping our lips as we taste the immaculately curated dishes. Each bite is divine, the perfect meal for the perfect anniversary date.
Maybe my stomach doesn’t exactly do cartwheels when he’s near, but Brian has always made me feel happy and safe. Things with him have just always been so simple.
We met at a law conference, the kind of boring networking event I can barely drag myself out of the office to go to anymore, and from the moment he handed me his business card, I knew Brian was exactly what I was looking for. Mature, successful, attractive. The kind of man you settle down with, who gives you the white picket fence and two-point-five kids. Or in our case, the kind of man who can equally contribute to your mortgage and doesn’t bat an eye when you say you need to cancel dinner because a contract is taking longer to pin down than you anticipated.
