"Monday sounds perfect. It will give me a chance to pack up my apartment in the city. It's just a studio," he tells them. "All of my furniture was given to me when I first moved into my place. It doesn't have any sentimental value. I'll just pass it forward and donate it to my neighbors. She has three small kids and will appreciate the help."
This boy couldn't be sweeter.
"If you need more time, let me know. We can work around your schedule," Barrett tells him with understanding in his eyes.
How can someone pack up so quickly? Say goodbye to family and friends?
Barrett slides out of the booth first and holds his hand out for Caleb. Caleb takes it and lets Barrett pull him into a hug.
I hold my hand out for Ben. His cheeks pop with a tint of pink, but he allows me to help him out. I don't pull him into a hug.Although I want to.
"Ben," Caleb calls over to him. "Can I give you a hug goodbye?" Ben nods.
During their embrace, I notice howe sweet they look together. Caleb whispers something in Ben's ear that I can't hear, but it has Ben giggling and nodding. Caleb looks up at me when they separate.
And smiles.
Ben
Having only been in the lifestyle for a little over a year, I know a lot of trust goes into it, especially when slipping into little space with strangers at the club. Usually, I'm surrounded by other littles and caregivers, so I feel protected. The last time I was able to have a play date with a daddy was when I met Shaun at Club Pierre nearly ten months ago.
Gee, time flies.
I wonder...did Shaun recommend me for the job because he knows that Caleb is also a little? Barrett is so protective of Caleb, and it makes me think he would protect us both at the shop in the event a mean customer showed up. It also helps ease some of my anxiety I have about moving here.
Being somewhere I can bloom professionally excites me. Even if it's not my own shop or flower stand.
Leaving the warmth of the restaurant, I walk next to Caleb while Barrett is next to Jason in front of us. It's then that I realize they are close to the same height, with Jason being about an inchshorter. Still, they are about a foot taller than both Caleb and me. Barrett is also a little broader, whereas Jason has a leaner build.
"Let's swap numbers so you can reach out if you need anything," Caleb tells me. "Or if you just want to chat. About anything."
This friend-lifeline he's throwing my way sparks something inside my chest. It's been a while since I've had a friend. Years, in fact. It's always been me against the world since my dad kicked me out at sixteen.
"I'd like that." I hand him my phone. He spends a minute tapping on the screen. What's he doing? Sending a novel?
I'll listen to the message in the car and pocket my phone when he hands it back. I'll respond later, too, when I can do voice-to-text. It's easier for me than trying to read or type out a message. If there are errors, I can always blame it on autocorrect.
When we arrive back at the shop, Caleb and Barrett escape inside, leaving Jason and me standing on the sidewalk. I cinch my coat a little tighter since the wind picked up.
"Can I walk you to your car?" Jason asks. My cheeks heat at the thought. He's been so attentive and caring. Could he be interested in me? I won't get my hopes up. Especially when I know how touch-starved I've been. Also, it's not a Cinderella–my favorite princess–fairytale.
Is there really such a thing as love at first sight? Because I can definitely see myself falling hard for Jason.
My heart hammers against my ribs, a frantic rhythm against the sudden intimacy of his offer. It's a simple gesture. A conclusion to the day we've had.
I want to tell himno. If he walks me to my car, then our day is over, and I'm not sure I want it to end. Maybe...maybe we can hang out some more, just the two of us. My heart fills withhope. Then I remember him mentioning he needed to run some errands.
My smile falters.
As I meet his bright blue gaze, there's a quiet curiosity in his eyes.
"What has you worried, little one?" he asks. "I see the wheels turning up here," he taps my temple, and I berate myself for almost leaning into his touch.
I shake my head, scared of what my voice will do if I try to speak.
"Ben, look at me." His request is soft as he holds my chin to face him. "Please. Don't shy away from me."
"It's." I stop, trying to gather the strength to be open about my feelings, but remind myself I know nothing about this man. He's literally a stranger to me, yet I feel so close to him already. "It's just...I've really enjoyed today, minus the flower shop incident. I wish we had met under different circumstances. Maybe then you wouldn't see me as broken." I try to look away from him, but his hand holds my chin in place.
