Dylan wondered if this was what it felt like to be a sugar baby. If it was, he didn’t mind one bit.
“Thank you.” He studied the menu some more. The main courses consisted almost entirely of different cuts of steak, and Dylan’s mouth watered. He looked up. “Have you been here before?”
“Yes. It’s our go to for celebrating special occasions.”
Dylan’s stomach did a happy little flutter at the idea that they’d brought him to their special place. He smiled to himself, feeling very pleased.
The door into the main dining room slid open, and a young man stepped into the room. Dylan caught him fixing his expression right as the door opened, a professional mask hiding what he was pretty sure was nervous excitement.
Dylan knew exactly how he felt.
“Hello. My name is Steve. I’ll be your waiter for this evening. Can I get you started on some drinks?”
Steve’s voice wobbled a little on the wordwaiter, but other than that he managed to sound entirely calm.
Dylan got a little kick out of the man’s name being Steve. He was so different from the only other Steve he knew.
“We’ll have a few bottles of sparkling water, a bottle of still, and I’d like a pint of the Firestone IPA,” Ryker said, looking at a drinks menu that Dylan hadn’t gotten a copy of. “And I think we’ll get a bottle of the twenty-fourteen Malbec. Dylan, does that sound okay?”
“Eh, sure.” Dylan didn’t know what a Malbec was, but he gathered it was a type of wine. “I don’t really drink, but sparkling water sounds good.”
Ryker smiled at him like he’d said something funny or cute.
“All right. That’s it for me, August?”
“I’ll have the Firestone IPA as well.”
“Very well, sirs.” The waiter didn’t write anything down, memorizing the order. He turned to Dylan. “And for you, sir?”
“Can I get a Diet Coke?”
“Of course. I’ll have that for you in just a moment. Are there any questions about the menu before I go?”
Ryker looked around the table, checking, and then shook his head. “No, we’re good. Thank you.”
Steve nodded again, before turning and leaving the room. Dylan wondered if he’d imagined the hint of envy he saw in his eyes when he looked at him, but he didn’t think so.
“So what are you guys getting?” August asked, glancing at the menu before putting it down. “I want the ribeye.”
Ryker put down his menu as well. “I think I’ll do the same. And the scallops to start.”
“What about you?” August asked, looking at Dylan.
He hesitated, glancing down at the menu again. “The tenderloin, maybe?”
It had been a long time since Dylan had eaten a nice, tender steak.
Ryker nodded. “That looks good. Anything to start?”
“The mushroom toast.”
August perked up. “Oh yeah, that’s really good. I think I’ll have that, too.”
Ryker and August put their menus down, giving him their full attention. August leaned back in his chair, and though Dylan couldn’t see his legs, he bet they were spread wide under the table. Ryker, on the other hand, was leaning forward and resting his elbows on either side of his napkin.
“So when was the last time you were here?” Dylan asked, the intense attention making him squirm.
“Our anniversary, I think,” August said, licking his lips. “Right, Ryker?”
