Page 181 of Finding Us

I refer back to the menu. “Shower sex for apple cinnamon?”

“You love apple cinnamon and you love shower sex so that’s a bargain. It’s like getting them for free.”

“Wall sex for chocolate chip?”

“Yeah. But it can be any wall. Doesn’t have to be in the kitchen.”

“And outdoor sex for strawberry-lemon pancakes?”

“Those are seasonal, so you should take advantage when they’re available. They won’t be offered in the winter.”

I take a seat at the kitchen table. “I really like Garret’s Pancake House and I haven’t even had the pancakes yet.”

“They’re coming.” He warmed them on the stove and now he’s stacking them on a plate. He brings the plate and the bottle of syrup to the table and sets them in front of me.

“Do I have to leave a tip?”

“It’s an expected practice at most dining establishments, but it’s up to you.” He lifts my chin up and leans down and gives me a slow, deep kiss, then backs away, smiling. “If you think the service is good, you should tip your server accordingly.”

“The service is excellent, so I’ll be tipping well.”

He goes back to the kitchen to get his own plate.

“These pancakes are amazing,” I say as he sits across from me. “They’re light and fluffy and almost as good as Al’s. Can I see the recipe?”

“Charles said I’m not allowed to share it.”

“He did not say that.”

“He did.” Garret pours syrup over his pancakes. “So are you gonna pay for these after we eat?”

I laugh. “I already paid for them last night.”

“Payment is due on Sunday. You can’t retroactively pay.”

“Then I paid for them just now. Actually, I paid for chocolate chip but got blueberry.”

“Yeah, I wasn’t expecting we’d do that and it was too late to change the order. But it doesn’t matter because payment is due after the meal, not before.”

“Geez, there are a lot of rules at Garret’s Pancake House.”

“It’s a business, Jade.” He takes a bite of his pancakes. “There have to be rules.”

I read his menu again. “So just regular sex for these?” I point down to my pancakes.

“Sex with me is never regular.” He gives me his cocky smile.

“You know what I mean. Sex in the bed. No crazy places.”

“It seemed appropriate for blueberry. They’re kind of your basic, traditional type of pancake. The kind everyone likes.” He takes the menu back. “I’ll also be offering specials throughout the year with payment being buyer’s choice.”

“That sounds fun. When do these specials begin?”

“You’ll just have to show up every Sunday to find out. I don’t announce the specials early.”

“Well, I must say this is an excellent substitute for Al’s Pancake House.”

We finish our pancakes, which are so good I can’t wait to have them again next week. And I love Garret’s menu. The prices are as good as the pancakes. After we eat I make sure to pay him, including a really big tip.

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