I kept going on and on, oversharing to the max.
The man didn’t interrupt. He just stood there and listened like it was the most important conversation of his life.
“Let me pay you.” I didn’t have a lot, but he could have all my cash.
“No. It was my pleasure helping you out.”
“I could buy you a meal, then, or something?” Great. It sounded like I was asking him on a date. Of course, he was going to reject that.
“I promise you, I wanted to help.”
I couldn’t let him go with nothing. He’d been too kind. As I handed him back his umbrella, I rolled off my bracelet, the one with the unicorn charm, and slid it into his pocket. He wouldn’t know it was my cherished treasure, but I would. Maybe someone in his life would enjoy it just as much as I did.
Chapter Two
August
“He’s back!” Jovan jumped up from the sofa in the conversation area and clapped me on the back, shaking my hand. “We thought you’d decided to stay and give up all this.”
“It’s good to be home.”
Chained held that title almost as much as the house where I looked forward to sleeping after my evening at the club. Most people would have probably gone there first, but after being away for a few months, I wanted the company of friends more than rest.
My grandpa built the house after he proposed to my grandmother, and she said, “If we get married, where will we live?”
The way he told it, she didn’t demand anything fancy, but she deserved the very best. So, he set to work, using the skills he’d acquired working in construction, and on their wedding night, he brought her home to a house designed just for her. When they retired, my folks bought the house, rearing my sister and I in the home with the romantic story.
We were the kids always embarrassed by walking in with friends to find their parents snuggling on the couch.
How could I ever let it leave the family?
Even if I hadn’t found my own love story yet, it gave me hope.
But until the day I met my partner or little or, if all things went better than I had any right to expect, one person who fit both of those places in my hear… Until that time, coming to Chained was a great way to feel accepted. To spend time with my friends who I didn’t have to explain myself to.
Jovan, a doctor and a daddy, sat down again. “Did everything go well?”
“Better than, I think.” I took a seat in a leather armchair across from him, greeting Bridger and a couple of other daddies. Many evenings, those who had relationships with littles would have had them nearby, playing with toys or having snacks, but every now and then, we’d do a daddy’s night out, like tonight.
In a way, it was easier for me because sometimes it was hard to see others who had found a little perfect for them. But also, I was very glad for my friends, and I enjoyed seeing their adorable littles. It gave me hope.
“Details,” Bridger said. “When you left, you were concerned you’d be pressured to move there permanently, and we hardly heard a word from you the whole time. So…are you just back to pack up?”
“Hang on.” I waved over a passing server. “Jenna, an old-fashioned, please. And is there any kind of sandwich on the menu tonight? I haven’t eaten since breakfast.” There was always a selection of apps, but sometimes a special like a sandwich or wrap. I really wanted something more substantial than finger foods.”
“You’re in luck. There’s no menu item, but chef is testing out a few on the staff. How about a nicoise on I think it’s a baguette? Or a prosciutto, mozzarella, and fig jam on some sort of Italian roll. I think there’s more to that one, maybe a little rosemary?”
“He’ll let you sneak one of those out here?” I was in luck—chef was also a daddy and had a soft spot for our group.
“Or one of each?” Bridger asked. “We’d be glad to help with feedback if he wants us to.”
“Let me see what I can do.” She winked and darted off through the crowd. In addition to being a server, Jenna spent her free evenings at the club as a submissive, and, when I left,rumor had it, a certain dom was hoping to make her his forever sub. All kinds of love stories here at Chained.
Another server brought my drink while Jenna was in the kitchen begging for sandwiches, and I leaned back and let some of the tension ease from my shoulders.
“Well?” Jovan asked. “Are you our one-night stand?”
“Did I say how glad I am to be here…to stay?”
