“How about this one?” Leo asks and stops by a pie stand.
“Oh yes, but only if they have cherry.”
“What kind of pie maker would I be if I didn’t have cherry?” The owner laughs.
“We’ll have two, à la mode,” Leo orders.
“Coming right up.”
Once we both have our pie, we head to a picnic table area. There are more people out than I would expect, but there are heaters, so that helps.
“This is fun,” I say.
“A little cold for me, but I thought it would be a good first date.”
“Very good.”
He gives me a quick kiss and takes a bite of his pie. He moans, and I want to dive into mine. “That’s amazing, but wait—” I take a big bite, and my tongue is on fire. “It’s hot. Open your mouth and let the cold air in.” A big puff of steam leaves my mouth, and I laugh. “Better?”
“Yes.” I take a minute for the pie to cool down. “Are you having a good time with me?” I ask, hoping I don’t sound pathetic.
“I am, and I would like to see you again.”
“Good, because I want to see you again too.” I scoot closer to him and wrap my arm with his. We just smile at each other like a couple of fools before the laughter of children draws our attention.
A few adults watch as their kids throw snowballs, build snowmen, and make snow angels.
Ah, to be that young and free again.
10
LEO
“Do you want kids?” I ask when I notice he’s been staring at the kids playing in the snow.
“What? Oh. Um… No, I’ve never really wanted kids, but I like you, and if that was something you wanted, we could talk about it.” It’s so mean of me to let him sit and stew awkwardly. “Do you want kids?”
“Fuck no!” I laugh, and he relaxes before joining in. I’m too selfish to have kids. I like the idea of taking care of someone, but a partner, not a kid that needs to be watched.
“Do you ever miss it?” he asks.
“Miss what?”
“Being young. No cares in the world. All you have to do is play while someone watches over you, takes care of you.”
No, that doesn’t sound good to me. Izzy is convinced that I’m a Daddy because I’m a control freak who likes to dote on those he loves.
“I think I would rather be the one to watch over you while you played.” I squeeze him tight, and he rests his head on my shoulder. Maybe I’ll dip my toe in the Daddy pool and see how he feels. “My best friend Izzy says that I’m a Daddy because I like to take care of my loved ones.”
“I can see that. You planned the date and insisted on paying for everything.” He grumbles the last part.
“That will never change, so don’t bother trying.”
“You know that I’m not a sugar baby?”
The idea of Whit being my sugar baby isn’t as awful as it sounds. He could travel with me.
“Would that be so terrible?”
