Page 9 of Colby's Lost Binky

That hit a little too close to home. “Do you mean, have I told him that I live with my sister because I’m basically homeless? Yeah, no, we didn’t get to that yet. But I’ll tell him.” It wasn’t like it was something I could hide, even if I wanted to.

“Tell him or don’t. That’s your choice. It’s probably best if you went on your own anyway. You don’t want to get stuck somewhere.”

“I’m gonna go now. This is too much like overhearing the conversation you had with Dad every single time someone came to pick you up at the house.”

It didn’t matter if it was the first, second, or tenth date, my father had words of advice for my sister. He’d probably have done the same for me had I dated back then, but I’d still been very much in my shell in high school.

She shrugged. “What can I say? I learned from the best.”

I rolled my eyes and grabbed my keys. There was still a half hour until I was supposed to meet him, but, with public transportation, it was probably best I be going now.

On my way, I stopped at the ATM to take out enough money to cover my meal and his…just in case. As much as I teased my sister for sounding like my father, on occasion, he had some good advice, including always bringing enough money to pay your way. You didn’t want to ever feel like you were trapped, and having money was a type of power.

We’d decided to go to a mom-and-pop restaurant named Finn’s not too far from where I worked. I was glad he was fine with something not too fancy. Not only did I not have the clothes for someplace too upscale, but I would have been nervous I might be overextending my budget the entire time. It was very important to me that he didn’t think I was looking for a sugar daddy, especially when he found out exactly what my living conditions were.

I lucked out, the bus stop directly across the street from Finn’s, and when I walked up to the front door, Barrister was already standing there, a bright smile on his face.

“Did you want to look at the menu first to decide if this is where you want to eat?”

I was taken aback by his consideration, which said far more about the kind of men that I had been with and the kind of dates that I allowed myself to be taken on than it did about him.

“I’m sure there’s something that will work.”

He didn’t argue, instead opening the door for me, and we walked inside.

The place was definitely a step up from a diner but not quite as nice as a full-service, sit-down, take-your-mom-and-dad-out-to-dinner kind of place. We waited for the hostess, who came quickly and brought us to our table. None of them matched, which was actually kind of adorable. It gave it a homey feel.

The server gave us the specials, handed us the menus, and promised to be back in a few minutes.

“I heard this place is amazing,” Barrister said.

When I looked down at the menu, I had to admit it listed favorite food after favorite food after favorite food. Was it going to be as delicious as it smelled? Maybe? Maybe not? But the odds were definitely in their favor.

Instead of struggling to find something I did want to eat, it turned into a struggle of deciding which one of the many things I would order. I opted for the homemade macaroni and cheese with chicken dinner. I was so close to ordering chicken fingers with it but opted for the roasted chicken thighs in an attempt not to turn the evening toward the daddy side of things.

We didn’t talk about anything kink related, although we had acknowledged that we both knew what the other was interested in the day he asked me out, even if we hadn’t said the words.

Barrister ordered a salmon dinner, and, when our food came, it was absolutely delicious.

“Don’t tell my sister, but this is the best macaroni and cheese I’ve ever eaten.”

“Is your sister a good cook?”

“She’s pretty good, but she prides herself on her macaroni and cheese.” I set my fork down. This was the opportunity I’d been waiting for. “I’ve been crashing at her place since I moved here from back East.”

“I thought I detected an accent.”

“My sister lies and says no one can tell and that I blend in.” And every time she did, I rolled my eyes. No part of me had ever blended in.

“You really get along well with her.”

“Yeah, she’s my best friend. And I know that’s probably weird, but we’ve always been that way.” And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

“It’s not weird at all. It’s great. Did you move out here for a job?”

I flinched.

He flinched.

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