Page 9 of Luca's Unexpected Daddy

We continued chatting as Toby called in the Daddies for dessert. The volume in the room rose as the other men joined us, and they wrapped themselves around their partners. It was

As sneakily as possible, I went to the hall closet and pulled out my winter coat. After one last quick check that no one was paying attention, I opened the front door and slid outside. It was definitely colder than when we'd arrived, but it felt good to breathe in the fresh air.

“It's hard with all the couples in there, isn't it?” That growly voice that always set my heart to pitter-patter asked from the shadows of the front porch light.

Jumping, I clasped my chest. “Jesus, I didn't see you there.”

He chuckled and stepped fully into the light. “I figured, or you'd have run back inside as fast as possible.”

I wanted to deny that, but he was right. A smell hit my nose, and I inhaled a lungful of a woodsy scent that sent my mind reeling to the past. “Are you smoking a cigar?”

He lifted his hand and stared at the burning end of his cigar like he'd forgotten he was smoking. “Sorry, does this bother you? Orson and I generally step outside together for one once they all start snuggling up with each other, but he needed to make a phone call.”

I wanted to call him out on his tone, which clearly indicated he was upset that he'd been blown off for Orson's new flame, but I recognized the expression on his face. I'd seen it on my own reflection in the mirror several times lately, like after a night over at Julian and Joel's place. Hell, it was the reason I’d scurried outside to escape all the happy couples.Loneliness.“Have you met her yet?” I asked.

He smiled stiffly. “Nope. Had no clue he'd even met someone until tonight.” Another fleeting look, one of sadness crossed his face.

Likely catching himself, he lifted the cigar again. “Is this bothering you? Do you need me to put it out?”

“No. It’s kind of nice. It reminds me of my grandfather. He used to smoke a cigar in the evening.”

“You said used to?” he asked softly.

My heart panged at the memory of the gruff old man who’d stood by my side no matter what. “Yeah, he passed away several years ago.”

“I'm sorry to hear that, Luca.”

I shrugged. “It's okay. Well, it's not. I miss him so much, but…” I trailed off.

Harrison studied my face, then said, “I know you're in college, but I don't think anyone's ever told me what you’re studying.”

What were we doing standing outside chatting like this? Like it was some kind of getting-to-know-you thing. I guess it made sense in a weird sort of way. We were the only two unattached guys at the party. Considering how rude I’d been to him, it was kind of nice that he was being so friendly. “I'm going to be (()).”

Harrison's eyes widened, and he whistled. “Wow. That's quite an endeavor.”

Would he downplay my dreams now? He wouldn’t be the first one, but for some reason, I didn’t want him to just be impressed that I was pursuing it. But I wanted him to believe I could and would do something with my degree. “Yeah, it's what I've wanted to do for years.”

He nodded thoughtfully. “I can respect that. What exactly will you do once you're done?”

“Hopefully, work in a lab. At least, that's my dream.”

A slow smile spread across his handsome face, reminding me why I usually avoided him. Something about him called to me, making that curve of his lips lethal to my heart. “That's incredible, Luca. Good on you for chasing your dreams.”

I bit the inside of my lip, uncertain as to how to proceed. It shouldn't matter, but I wanted to know if he meant that. “Now that you know I’m a boy, you don't think it's weird?”

He tilted his head. “What does being a boy have to do with your profession?”

I thought back to douchey Dave and the things he'd said at the end of our relationship. Rationally, I'd always known it wasn't fair to compare Harrison to him just because they resembled each other in looks and mannerisms, yet I had. “It shouldn't have anything to do with it as far as I'm concerned, but I've been told that I’m shooting above the mark since I—”

Harrison buzzed his lips, cutting me off. “Whoever told you that was a straight-up asshole. One has nothing to do with the other, unless your job was stressing you out and making you sick, and someone legitimately looking out for your welfare asked you to reevaluate.”

Feeling flustered by his response, I mumbled, “Yeah, thanks.” What did I even say now? I felt like I'd given away more than I meant to with my question, but standing out here in the silence, closed off from all of the hubbub inside, it felt so natural to let the conversation flow. Not that any of this mattered. We weren’t engaging in the getting-to-know-you questions that led to a relationship or anything. Harrison didn’t do the couple thing and I wasn't in the market for a Daddy. Needing to speak before it grew awkward, I asked, “So what exactly do—”

Orson burst through the door, shrugging on his coat. “Sorry, man. Tammy had a bad day at—” He cut off when he caught sight of me. “Luca.” He smiled warmly. Then his gaze slid between me and Harrison, landing on me in the end. “Is everything okay out here?”

Since he was facing me, he didn't see the complicated expression of hurt that crossed Harrison's face. Was that my fault? Of course it was. I'd been such a dick to him. Even if Orson hadn’t noticed my disdain tonight, he’d been there all the countless times where I’d blown Harrison off. When I had to serve them, I barely let Harrison place his order. Meanwhile, I treated the rest of their group with kindness and respect.Shit. “Yeah,” I said brightly, hoping to reassure him, and maybe even Harrison, that it truly was fine. “Just out here shooting the shit.” Shooting the shit? I wanted to smack myself.

Orson peered at me oddly before turning back to Harrison, who was fighting not to laugh. “Do you mind if we take off? Or maybe you can ask someone else for a ride? I don’t want to bail on you, but I told Tammy I’d come over.”

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