Page 167 of Game Changer
“You always look nice. Did you get the address I sent you?”
“Yeah. I went to the restaurant’s website. It looks fancy...”
“It’s just a restaurant. Carter chose it, so it’s probably good. He knows food.”
“Yeah, okay.” He made a face at a small hole in the sleeve of a black sweater he’d been considering.
They had agreed to meet at the restaurant because if they met at Scott’s place there was a really good chance they would never make it to dinner.
“The car is going to pick you up at seven,” Scott said. “That okay?”
“Sure. You don’t have to send a car. I can take the train.” He tossed a gray sweater onto the pile.
“I’m sending a car. It’s a special night!”
Kip smiled. “Fine.”
“I’ll see you in a few hours, then.”
“Yeah. Can’t wait.”
“Me neither.”
They ended the call and Kip sighed, frowning again at his sad wardrobe. He hadn’t been able to believe it when Scott had asked him if he wanted to go out to dinner that night. Scott had said he was going to loosen up about their relationship and eventually come out to the world, but Kip hadn’t expected to be going on actual dates like this so soon. He was thrilled, but he was also woefully unprepared to be taken anywhere this posh. The only truly fancy clothing he’d ever owned had been the tux Scott had given him, but that was, he assumed, back at Scott’s apartment. Kip had kind of lost track of the suit after Scott had stripped him out of it.
Besides, nice restaurant or not, the tuxedo would probably be a bit much.
He finally settled on an outfit comprised of his darkest jeans, a dress shirt, a dark tie, and a V-neck sweater in deep plum. He snapped a quick photo of himself and sent it to Elena.
Kip: This look ok?
Elena: For what?
Kip: Dinner with Scott!
Elena: Where are you going?
He told her the name of the restaurant.
Elena: Oh yeah. You’re good.
Kip nodded at his phone, relieved. Elena sent another message.You look hot, by the way.
He smiled.
This was going to be the best first date ever.
* * *
Scott sat alone at the cozy table for two in the dark corner of the restaurant and tried not to care if anyone was looking at him.
Being alone in public often opened him up to being approached by strangers. He was fine with it most of the time, but tonight was for him and Kip, not for them. This restaurant was very exclusive, though, and Carter hadn’t been kidding about how dark and private the tables were. It was an ideal place for Scott to test the waters a bit. Had Carter invented the story of not being able to use the reservation himself? Maybe he had just booked this with Scott and Kip in mind in the first place. Scott appreciated the gesture, either way.
He sipped some water and glanced again toward the front of the restaurant. Kip should be here any minute.
Scott had spent an absurdly long time getting ready, as if this were a blind date and not dinner with the man he was madly in love with. The man he’d been sharing his life with for months. The man hehopedto share his life with forever.
Finally, at just after seven-thirty, Kip was guided to the table by the maître d’.
