“So, am I a date, friend, or an acquaintance tonight? Are we holding hands, showing affection toward each other, or strictly platonic?” He asks the questions one after the other, not skipping a beat.
“Tonight, you’ll be my date. We can hold hands, hug, kiss on the cheek. Give everyone a picture perfect couple.”
“Any details I need to know? Co-workers? People of interest? Where we met?”
I can’t help but smile. This man is good. I can see why he has stellar reviews. He’s committed to his job and wants to ensure he gives the client exactly the plus one experience they’re looking for.
“No one of interest that’s going to be there tonight. As for how we met. Let’s keep it simple. A dating site.” I can’t help but wink, and we both chuckle at the irony of it.
“Sounds good to me. I like it when the backstory is simple. So then the only thing left to know. What’s your last name? I didn’t pay attention to it if it was in the email.”
“Silverfox,” I tell him with a chuckle, leaning back in my chair, feeling more relaxed now.
“Stop it!” he practically yells before catching himself.
“What?” I ask, confused by his response.
“You’re serious? Your last name is Silverfox?” He grins as his eyes twinkle in amusement.
“Since the day I was born. Now, can you tell me what’s so crazy about it?”
He just looks at me, jaw slightly open, eyes wide. Bradley shakes his head slowly. “You really don’t get it, do you?”
“If I did, I wouldn’t be asking you.” Suddenly I’m second guessing my choice of date for the night. I should’ve just gone alone. Between missing Malcolm and this response, I’m done.
“I’m sorry if I sound like a dick. It’s just I don’t get that you don’t see it. Your last name is Silverfox, and that’s literally what you are. Older man, salt and pepper hair, rugged, and good looking. You’re the textbook definition of what people call a silver fox.”
His words sink in, and I can’t help but laugh. “I’ve never put those two things together. Now I know why everyone looks at mefunny about my last name. A slight flaw of my character, only I can be oblivious to things like that.”
“It’s cool. My flaw is I don’t always think before I speak, and my mind rambles. Worse than that, sometimes that internal voice becomes very vocal externally.” He winks at me as he lifts his cup. “But I promise to be on my best behavior and not embarrass you tonight.”
“Bradley, if I was worried about being embarrassed, I wouldn’t have used the site. Somehow, I think tonight is going to be fun and you are a breath of fresh air.”
“Let’s see if you still say that at the end of our night,” he jokes, and I can’t help but get wrapped up in his joy.
“I’m sure I will. What do you say we take our coffee with us, since we need to get going? Did you park out front?”
“No, in the garage around the corner. I knew you booked me for the max time and the coffee shop would be closed by the time we’re done. Really didn’t want to come back to my car being towed.”
“Shit, yeah, guess that’s a valid point. Make sure to let me know how much the parking is so I can reimburse you for the cost.”
Bradley just nods, scooting his chair back so he can stand up.
“I’m serious, Bradley. It’s part of the contract. You incur no costs from our date,” I remind him sternly.
“Yes, Daddy,” he says sarcastically, as he slips his arm through mine and we move toward the door.
I’m caught off guard at first. I’ve been with Malcolm so long, hiding our relationship, that this tiny show of affection is hard to swallow.
“Okay, now my name thing may have gone over my head, but I definitely get what the innuendo that the Daddy comment is,” I reply, a grin tugging at my lips.
I shake my head, laughing under my breath. He’s bold, I’ll give him that. But it’s charming—disarming, even. I’m not used to someone being so unfiltered right out of the gate. It’s… refreshing.
“Good to know you’re not entirely living under that rock. Now where’s my chariot waiting? We have a dinner to get to and a silent auction to run the bids up on so the event can make the most money it can.”
His excitement is infectious.
“Sounds like we have a plan for the night. I hope the other guests know what they’re in for.”
