Page 8 of Reaching Roland

“Ew. Don’t talk about my Rolly’s body. Also, did you notice how he went from scoffing at our suggestion that he do this for a living to wanting to show us something he fixed?”

“Mhm. Total denial.”

For fuck’s sake.

Chapter Four

KENNY

My stomach grumbled, and I jumped, clutching one hand to my stomach. “Oops, sorry about that.”

Turning slightly in his chair, Roland frowned, brows creasing and asked, “When’s the last time you ate?”

I hummed. “I think I had a yogurt around eleven, but I forgot to drink my meal replacement this morning, so…” I shrugged. He spun his seat farther around, and I stumbled back. “Woah.”

Glaring, he pointed at my stomach. “This is your late night, and all you’ve eaten is yogurt all day?”

I pulled the lollipop out and waved it around. “Well, I woke up late, so I didn’t have enough time to make a sandwich or anything for lunch. Unfortunately, my fruit bowl was empty, so I grabbed a yogurt. Someone here always orders food at some point, so I figured I’d get something then, but they ended up going with Mexican, and sometimes that bothers my belly, and I had a full schedule today, so…” I shrugged again.

He studied me, looking thoughtful. “How many clients do you have after me? Just one, right?”

Nodding, I made the motion for him to swivel back around in his chair with one finger and made a click-click motion with the scissors in my other hand. “Yes, and if we don’t get a move on, we won’t have enough time for your shave.”

“Can’t have that now, can we?” As he readjusted in his seat, he said, “And I’ll wait around for you after, then we can head over to The Tap Tavern. Dinner’s on me tonight.”

My hand faltered with the scissors halfway to his head. “No. You don’t have to do that. I’ll have a bowl of cereal or something when I get home.”

Roland quirked an eyebrow at me in the mirror. “Cereal shouldn’t even qualify as a meal,” he grumbled. “You’ve been on your feet all day, in those”—he waved a dismissive hand at my boots—“and on an empty stomach. I go to The Tap every Thursday night when I leave here anyway, so please put an old man’s mind at ease and join me so I can make sure you have a healthy meal.”

I groaned. “Geez, with the old man stuff. You have to give it a rest, Daddy.”

He smirked. “Then let me treat you to dinner, young one.”

A chuckle rose up as I examined the top of his head. He really, really, didn’t need another trim. I almost felt like I was stealing his money by letting him make a weekly appointment. “I think we’ll just shave you today.” I ran my hand through the damp silver strands. “You had such a luscious thick head of hair when you started coming in. At this rate, you’ll be bald by fall.”

He snorted. “It’s easier to deal with now. I’m too ol—” He cut himself off and cleared his throat. “I can’t be bothered to mess with it in the morning. It’s bad enough I have to wear that damnsuit. And it hasn’t escaped my attention that you didn’t respond to my question about taking you to dinner.”

Grabbing the back of the chair, I leaned over his right shoulder and glared at him in the mirror. “I’m pretty sure you demanded that I let you take me out to eat. There wasn’t an invitation anywhere in there.”

He tilted his head slightly, which was kind of adorable if I was honest with myself, which I wasn’t since Roland was the straight father of my friend, thereby completely off limits. Besides, my decision to not even contemplate dating was still firmly in place. “Hm. Maybe you’re right. But you need to eat, I want to feed you, and I’m going to The Tap where you happen to know the same people I do, so it only makes sense for you to join me.”

I gaped at him, then burst out laughing and began situating his chair and my supplies for his shave. “And here I thought you were this sweet gentleman. You’re bossy.”

He smirked. “You wanted to say sweet older gentleman. Admit it.”

Shaking my head, I dipped the brush in the soap to lather him up. I’d admit no such thing since what I’d almost called him was a sweet silver fox. He’d probably have taken it negatively and thought I was going for a polite way to call him old, but in my mind, silver fox equated with hot as fuck. Yeah, I definitely wouldn’t be saying that. My stomach growled again, and I looked down at him guiltily.

“I’ll wait for you to finish up with your last client, and you can follow me to The Tap.”

Conceding defeat, since my body was obviously intent on betraying me, I said, “Fine, but you don’t have to hang around. I’ll meet you there as soon as I’m done,Daddy.”

Roland huffed, then closed his eyes to relax for his shave. “Sorry. I don’t trust you, and your belly needs me so you don’t perish.”

Well, alrighty then.

“I generally sitat the bar. Is that okay with you or would you like to sit at a table?” Roland asked as he held the door open for me into The Tap.

“The bar is fine.” That would make it feel less like a date, and I really needed that reminder. So far, Roland had opened the door for me as I got out of the car, held a hand at my back as we crossed the parking lot, and now he was opening the door into the tavern. Plus, when I’d insinuated that I could pay for my own meal, he’d put his foot down and insisted that it was his treat. I’d dated guys for months who’d done less. Not sure if that said something about Roland or my choice in men, though.

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