Page 74 of Need Him
Toby had recently found success on the Daddy’s Boy app, and this was their first visit as a couple. Ben smiled at Toby’s Daddy, Ollie.
“I’m glad you’re both here.”
“Wouldn’t miss it for the world. I have plenty to be grateful for this year,” Ollie said, smiling at Toby.
Ben’s heart lifted at the obvious signs of a good match. He’d known the moment he’d seen them that they would be good together, and when the app matched them, Ben had been overjoyed. They had met for the first time at the beginning of December, when Ben and Gareth had accompanied Toby to the meeting for no other reason than he was nervous. They trusted Ollie, but someone had hurt Toby before, and they hadn’t wanted him to be a no-show. He and Gareth had driven the fifty miles to where Toby lived to give him moral support. As soon as the couple had hit it off, Ben and Gareth said goodbye and spent the afternoon sightseeing.
The front door opened, and Richard shouted his presence. “I found two other people on the street. I thought I’d invite them in.”
Ben gasped. “I might not have enough food for extra people.” He hurried into the hallway, ready to welcome the strangers, but found Felix and Jane. Ben huffed and wagged a finger at Richard. “Not funny.”
Richard chuckled. “A little funny.” He patted Ben on the back and headed for the kitchen, where he knew he would find Gareth.
“Thank you for coming.” Felix held out a bottle of wine. “Oh, you didn’t have to bring anything, but thank you.”
“I brought some fruit cake, too. I didn’t want to come empty-handed,” Jane said.
“Oh, thank you. Come on through. We’re spread between the kitchen and the living room at the moment, so feel free to mingle. I’ll introduce you to everyone.”
“Who would like a drink?” Ben called, and everyone joined them in the kitchen. While he took orders, he introduced everyone to everyone else, making sure no one was left out. As Gareth handed out the drinks, Ben asked Lindsay to let everyone know the plan.
“Okay, we have a fun-filled day ahead of us. We’re going to get the munchies going so that everyone can eat as it’s near to lunchtime. After that, we will do the gift exchange. We have a charades challenge, and we need to vote for the film we’re going to watch later.”
“I think this is busier than when I go to work,” Victor murmured to Preston, and Ben glared at him from his place on the other side of Preston.
Ben clapped his hands. “Everyone dig in. Plates are on the counter over there, along with the cutlery. You can see where the food is. Oh, Gareth, can you get the fruit out, please?”
“Sure.”
“Before I forget—on purpose—Lindsay’s cinnamon rolls are on the dining table with Jane’s fruit cake. I want to keep them all for myself, but I suppose I should share. As it’s Christmas.”
While everyone filled their plates, Ben checked his phone, frowning when his message remained unanswered. He pushed the phone back into his pocket and smiled as he turned back to their guests.
“Find a seat wherever you can. We might fit better in the living room, but it’s full of gifts, so even that I’m not sure of at the minute.” He laughed.
As they ate, Jane regaled them with the story of Secret Santa at work. “Ben’s idea was a good one, but from what I could gather, people were swapping names here, there and everywhere. I lost count of the people who came to me asking to swap. It would be safe to say that most of the names were not from the original people who pulled them. It was crazy. I loved my gift, though. So thoughtful.”
“We had a Secret Santa, too,” Preston said. “I got a dreamcatcher, a candle, a book of poetry and a scarf.” He rolled his eyes. “Whoever got my name had no idea who I was.”
Ben chuckled. “I don’t know. The dreamcatcher and candle seem pretty good.” He took another bite of food from the plate Gareth had made for him.
“The dreamcatcher was quite shiny, I suppose.”
“Oooh, shiny,” Victor said, making everyone laugh.
“You’re like a magpie.” Preston nudged Victor’s arm.
“But it looks good on me!” Victor whined.
“Now, now, children,” Gareth said, giving them “the look.”
Richard cleared his throat. “I meant to ask how the app was going, Gareth. I know you said you had created one, but I never got the chance to ask what it was for.”
Ben paused, staring at Gareth, who stared at his father. He had no idea how to field that question because Richard didn’t know about Gareth’s specific lifestyle. Before either of them had the chance to come up with something, Toby started gushing.
“The app is absolutely brilliant. It helped me find my Daddy after waiting so long and having too many disastrous dates. I don’t know how it works, but we’re perfect for each other, aren’t we?” He glanced at Ollie with a huge smile on his face.
Ollie slid his arm around Toby’s shoulders and, with a small wince in their direction—he’d obviously caught the undercurrent going on—said, “We are.”
