Page 98 of Just A Little Fling

I tried. How about dinner the day after tomorrow and I’ll explain how it went.

Rory

You’re going to leave us on read like that.

Nico

I mean…you did set me up

Owen

Fair.

Jakob

You win that round, Batman.

Anders

You’re not wrong.

Rory

Grrrr, fine.

* * *

I was a few minutes early for my lunch date with the boys and Anders, but it gave me a chance to compose myself in the back of the restaurant. Rory had suggested we go to Stone and Vine because, according to him, “All important conversations should happen there.” The rest of the group chat enthusiastically agreed, as did I, since it had been on my list to try for approximately forever.

It was as cute as they’d said it was, with its plants and hand-painted murals, done by Owen, on the walls. Through the back, I saw the beer garden space, but it was too wet and windy to sit out there today. The restaurant had been renovated before I started working for the firm, so I didn’t know the specifics, but Gabe’s reimagining of the space and Owen’s design talent was evident.

To the back of the restaurant were some high-backed booths that would allow us some privacy. I snagged the one with the most privacy and settled myself in to wait for the others.

“Oh, hey, fancy seeing you here,” said the waiter. He wasn’t overly tall, but he was broad, stout, and handsome. His face and voice were familiar, but I struggled to place him. He nailed me on it right away when I tried to hide my confusion.

“You have no idea who I am, do you?” He laughed.

I desperately searched my brain for some shred of recognition, but I was at a complete loss. With nothing left to lose except pride, I might as well tell the truth.

“I know I know you, but I don’t know from where.” The man smiled and put a set of silverware wrapped in a cloth napkin in front of me, along with a glass of water.

“Don’t worry about it. We met a while back at the club.” What had been a smile turned into a chuckle and then a belly laugh when horror overtook my face when it dawned on me where I knew him from.

“Oh my god! You’re the guy from the restroom.”

“One and the same.” No one was in the restaurant yet because we were too early for the lunch rush, so he sat across from me at the table. “Did you ever get your Daddy?”

“What makes you think he’s my Daddy?”

“I may spend a shit-ton of time at the gym, but I’m not dumb. I know a lovesick boy when I see one.”

“Are you a Daddy?”

“Nah, even though everyone assumes I am.”

“Why do you think that is?” I asked with a cocked head.

His friendly smile revealed dimples. I can see why I was interested in the club, but there wasn’t an ounce of attraction now. I could still appreciate the merchandise.

---