Page 2 of Just A Little Fling

“I am. Areyoua Daddy?” That earned an eye roll from me.

“I’m no one’s Daddy. “

“Does that mean you’re a boy?”

“I am.”

“Do you know what kind of boy you are?”

“The middle kind of boy.”

“It’s my lucky night.” His quick grin had me believing it might be true.

We made our way around the table, choosing the best desserts. One of us would pick one, and then the other would share. Once our plates were full, we found a quiet corner by the front bay window in the living room. We set our plates on our knees and began eating off each other’s plates.

It had been a long time since I’d felt so at ease with someone. The stranger at my boss’s home didn’t know my name but knew how to manage me. I hated being told what to do but didn’t mind a suggestion.

“Am I breaking the rules if I ask how you know Gabe and Rory?”

“Well, if I tell you that, then you’re gonna know everything about me, so how about I say I’ve seen them around a club.”

It wasn’t a lie. I had seen them at Wilde Dandies, and I’d marched my ass right back out the door when I did because I didn’t need to see my boss while I was working on getting lucky.

“How do you know them?”

“I don’t know them at all.”

“Are you a Christmas party crasher? A Grinch in disguise who’ll steal all the presents? Naughty, naughty, Daddy.” I wagged my finger at him, and he captured my hand but didn’t let go. Instead, he entwined our fingers and used his free hand to feed me a bite of chocolate.

“Careful, you might get more than you bargained for.”

“Is that a threat, Daddy?”

“Nah, it’s a promise.”

When Jakob came through and gathered everyone in the foyer in preparation for Gabe to pop the question. My temporary Daddy set our plates aside and tugged me out there after we got to our feet. I thought he’d let go of my hand, but he squeezed my fingers tighter and grinned.

Rory appeared, looking as pretty as he always did with his red curls and happy smile. Gabe waited for him with the goofy smile he always got when he looked at Rory. In a surprise to no one, Rory said yes when Gabe asked for his hand in marriage. Everyone, including Rory’s parents, surged forward to offer their congratulations while Daddy and I hung out at the back of the crowd. They were so wrapped up in each other that they’d never notice we hadn’t shaken their hands.

“They look happy together,” Daddy said as he watched them kiss at the bottom of the stairs.

“Rory and Gabe are absolutely in love. I think they were made for each other,” I answered with a smile. “Well, that was what I was here to see. What are we going to do for the rest of the evening? You got any ideas, Daddy?”

“As much as I love dessert and finger foods, I haven’t eaten all day and need a real meal. Greasy food. Fattening food. Would you like to join me?”

“Oooh, is this a date?”

“Yeah, let’s call it that.”

“Deal, Daddio.”

“Did you drive?” Daddy ushered me out of the living room into the empty foyer. “And your coat?”

“Uber, and I forgot it at work.” His mouth firmed into a straight line at the answer. “It’s not that cold. I’ll be fine.”

“You’re right about it being fine but agree to disagree on the temperature not being too cold. It’s in the high thirties.” Rather than argue, he unceremoniously slid my arms into his coat. “Here, use mine.”

“It’s not a big deal,” I muttered quietly.

---