Page 8 of A Little Cinny Latte

Riley: Thank you, Santa Daddy! This was the bestest gift ever.

Just then, the timer on my phone goes off. I squeal with delight and tug on my oven mitts. Making sure I don’t burn myself, I place the mac and cheese on top of the stove so it can cool off for a bit. In the meantime, I run into my bedroom, scoop up Eefoowie, and plug my phone onto the charger.

“Eefoowie! I have the coolest thing I need to show you.”

Bringing my stuffie into the living room, I prop her on the sofa, so she can get comfy and watch TV with me. Then I scoop out a large serving of my special mac and cheese and settle down next to Eefoowie. Before I dig into my food, I take my new blanket and wrap it around my shoulders like a cape.

Yes, this is definitely the bestest estest gift ever. I snuggle into my blanket and press play on my favorite holiday movie. It really does feel like Daddy is here with me.

Chapter four

John

My condo becomes visible as I finally reach my street. The drive from Southern California to Los Vegas is always a boring one for me, especially alone.

Damn, I can’t wait to live in Olivia Cove officially. Hopefully, it will only take me about two more weeks or so to get everything finalized with work. My mind drifts back to Riley, and I wonderif he’s received my gift yet. A part of me was nervous about giving him all those gifts and leaving my number, but I wanted him to have the option to chat if he needed it.

He looked so sad playing by himself yesterday. I don’t know if he was just having a bad day, if he was just sad he didn’t take part in the auction, or if it was something else entirely. Either way, I wanted to be here for the boy if he needed someone.

I’m finally settling in for the day and cooking dinner when my phone vibrates, indicating I’ve got a new text message. When I unlock my phone, I come across a number I’m not familiar with, but my heart starts racing as I recognize the zip code and read part of the message.

It’s Riley.

Unknown Number: Thank you, Santa Daddy! This was the bestest gift ever.

Butterflies take flight in my stomach and I’m unable to fight my grin. I’m forty-five freaking years old, and this boy has me acting like a damn teenager. The feeling is intoxicating.

Turning off the stove, I check the pot of chili I made before placing it on the other burner that isn’t hot. I save Riley’s phone number in my contacts, then reply.

John: Of course, sweet boy. It was my pleasure. I hope everything is okay.

As I eat dinner, I mindlessly scroll through a few articles on my phone, but after about thirty minutes, it’s obvious Riley isn’t going to reply. Did I scare him by being too forward? I reread my text and kick myself for saying I hoped he was okay.

Then again, any good Daddy would hope for the same. Instead of wallowing in what-ifs and why nots, I watch a movie and fall asleep on the cold sofa.

The harsh sound of my phone vibrating against my glass end table startles me awake. I don’t usually fall asleep in my living room, especially with all the lights and TV still on. So, it takes me a moment to get my bearings together. Some random movie I didn’t select is playing quietly in the background. I blink around at my empty living room and remember most of my stuff is already in Southern California.

Another vibrating noise assaults my ears, and I snatch the phone from the end table.

Riley: Good morning, Santa Daddy.

I grumble to myself as I check the time. It’s four in the morning. What the hell did this boy mean ‘Good morning?’ It’s still nighttime. Clearly, I’m not one who functions properly when I just wake up, and I’m about to ask the boy why he’s up at such an ungodly hour when another text comes through.

Riley: I’m much better now. Thank you. I spent most of the night curled up with Eefoowie, and the soft blanket you got me.

Oh fuck. My heart.

Imagining Riley cuddling with my blanket, pretending it’s me, makes me simultaneously melt and get hard. Not that he said he was imagining the weighted blanket was me, but hey, a guy could hope.

John: I’m so happy you loved my gift and already started using it. But I need to ask you, why are you up so late, baby boy?

A smile curls my lips when Riley immediately starts typing.

Riley: Oh no! Did I wake you up? I’m used to all my friends keeping their phones on silent. I’m a baker. I’m actually just starting my day.

John: A baker, huh? I remember you mentioned you love baking.

It makes me happy that Riley found a job with something he loves. Slowly, I stand and stretch. Dear lord, I can’t believe I fell asleep so early, and on the sofa, no less. No wonder my back is screaming at me.

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