I winked at Mateo. “You’re exactly right. Don’t want to jinx it.”
“Are you seeing him again?”
I didn’t want him to know anything yet, so my answer was vague as I shrugged. “Maybe.”
“That’s fine. Keep your secrets. I’ve got my own life.”
“Yeah? What’s going on?”
He started to babble on and on about his own new boyfriend. My distraction caper had worked.
I was a little late getting out of the building. My tips had to be counted and the manager had to verify it. I had made more than usual, even for a Saturday night. Plus, I had to verify my schedule for the next week which had just been posted. They worked around my class schedule, so my hours were pretty much the same week to week, but I had to be sure because sometimes they changed and one time I didn’t notice and I walked in with everyone staring at me, asking why I was late. I never wanted that to happen again.
Finally, I drove toward Preston’s so excited I had to keep looking at my dashboard to make sure I wasn’t speeding. I turned on my favorite music and sang loudly.
I was seeing my new daddy again! And so soon. I could barely contain myself.
14
Preston
Ikept checking my Apple watch every five seconds. Giving Sage time to get to his car and drive here shouldn’t have been more than twenty minutes. But he hadn’t shown up at that time. Twenty more minutes had passed. He was late.
Of course, I worried. I was the worrying type. I liked things organized, running smoothly. Co-workers often commented on how uncluttered my office and desk were, and would joke often, saying, “Are you sure you’re getting any work done?”
I simply liked having a place for everything and everything in its place. If things were out of place, I worked hard to set them right either at work or in my personal life. That is, what personal life I had. If Sage didn’t show, I might not have that.
I paced my foyer, snapping my fingers. What if he didn’t show? What if he’d changed his mind and decided I wasn’t daddy material.
I scolded myself for the thought. He’d loved every moment here from his bath to making love. He had barely been able tocontain his excitement about coming back tonight. Plus, he’d left me his necklace, a plastic pacifier he said was important to him.
I’d spent the day getting ready. Clean sheets and comforter on the bed. Clean towels in the bathroom. Bathtub sparkling and ready for more boy baths. I’d shopped for more tub toys and also ended up with some new coloring books and a huge set of crayons.
I also bought candles in jars. I loved candles when I was feeling romantic. I got the sweeter scents like melon and sugar plum thinking a little like Sage would prefer that.
I had sub sandwiches in the fridge waiting in case he came in hungry. Six hours of evening work was bound to make a boy famished.
What if Sage had car trouble? Or worse, an accident. That got me a bit more frantic because I knew he’d call me… if he was able. I wouldn’t be able to contain myself if he was hurt. I kept up my pacing.
I could text him but I didn’t want to seem overly protective, even though I was. At this early stage for us, he didn’t need to feel like he was being stalked, especially if he’d changed his mind.
For whatever reason, I’d had guys ghost me in the past. It seemed to be common behavior for men. Women complained endlessly about it on talk shows. And my gay friends had complained about it as well, especially if they were seeing a bi-curious mostly straight guy.
I understood people didn’t like confrontation or feeling awkward and might do anything to avoid that. If Sage had changed his mind?—
Before I could finish that thought, headlights illuminated my front window and the tiny window in my porch door. All the air left my lungs in a whoosh.
I heard a car door open and close, then footsteps on the porch. I didn’t want to seem too eager but I couldn’t hold back. I opened the door to see his hand raised, ready to knock.
“Daddy.” He practically fell into my arms.
My arms went around him. “I’m so happy to see you.”
“I’m sorry I’m late.” He began to talk fast about work and getting delayed by his manager and something about his schedule. I didn’t care. I only cared that he was in my arms again, warm and safe.
I nuzzled his soft hair with my chin. “All that matters is you’re here now,” I said. “Are you hungry?”
“Mmm.” He spoke against my chest. “Not really. I had a snack on my break.”
