Page 22 of Colby's Lost Binky

Ms. Lily took me to her office, and I came out with a folder of information and an interview for a job that far surpassed my wildest dreams. Daddy was waiting in the changing room.

“This was a good day, Daddy.” I shut the door to the changing room. “A very good day.”

Chapter Sixteen

Barrister

“I can’t believe I got so lucky!” Colby arrived at my house after his first day at his new job. “It’s just perfect for me, and everyone is so nice.” He winked at me. “The membership to Chained that employees get is a real plus too.”

I enfolded him in my arms and gave him a squeeze. “I’d say they got lucky. You are perfect for the position. How was your first day?”

“So good. I mean, it’s always a little confusing starting somewhere new, but I can say without a doubt that this is more up my alley than working at the coffeehouse. My sister claimed I broke more cups than I delivered to tables.”

“I never once saw you break a cup.” Three plates and a glass once when I stopped in to pick him up for a dinner date. “But you don’t have to do that anymore.”

We went out on the back deck where I had the grill laden with celebratory steaks and corn on the cob. “I am stoked. And starving.”

“Great! We have potatoes in the oven and a big tossed salad in the fridge.” I flipped the steaks.

“Do I have time to freshen up?”

“Absolutely.”

He disappeared back in the house to take a shower. We had been spending most evenings together and, since he still lived on his sister’s sofa, we spent them here. Colby had been talking about finding a place of his own once he found a good job, and while he would need to save up for a month or two, he’d likely be ready to start looking around.

I liked him here. And not just for the special daddy/little times or the great sex. Colby was so much more than those things to me. I looked forward to him falling asleep on my shoulder while watching TV in the evening, seeing his face across the breakfast table, the fragrant steam of his shower gel on the tub ledge…all the ordinary things any couple shared.

“How long until dinner, and is there dessert?” Colby came up behind me and dropped a kiss on my neck.

“Five minutes, and have I met you before?”

“Cookies?” he asked hopefully. My patients had not come up with any homemade goodies this week, but I had stopped by the bakery on the way home.

“Of course. From The Chipper.” A place notorious for their giant, award-winning chocolate chip cookies.

“Mmm, can we start with dessert?” His warm breath tickled my earlobe, and I turned and pulled him tight to me.

“What kind of a daddy would I be if I let you do that?”

“The fun kind?” But his grin held no rancor. “Actually, those steaks are fantastic. I’ll go get the salad and potatoes and we can eat out here?”

“Sounds good to me.”

He disappeared into the house and, while I took the steaks and corn off the grill and onto a serving platter, Colby brought out everything else we’d need, including plates and flatware and a bottle of red wine I’d opened and let breathe. The sun was close to setting, and a cool, pleasant breeze drifted across the deck. My love sat next to me on the picnic bench and we dug in to our meal.

I was also hungry, but once we were nearly done with our steaks, I set down my knife and fork and turned on the bench to face him. “Why don’t you just live here?”

He stopped chewing for a moment then finished with his mouthful of corn before replying. “I love the idea of being with you all the time, but I need to know I won’t be homeless again. Not that there’s any doubt in my mind that I love you and would prefer waking up to you snoring over anything in the world—”

“Hey! I don’t snore.”

“Mm-hmm. My point is, I can’t take a chance on not having a place of my own again. Maybe we should take our time. I can get an apartment and still spend most of my time with you. Heck all of it.”

I was watching the wheels turn, and I got it. I’d feel the same way if I’d been without a home of my own for a time. In the military, there were weeks and months of travel where I had no idea where I’d lay my head. The difference was there would be somewhere, and I wasn’t asking anyone for charity. Sure, he paid his sister for staying there, but…but that was the answer.

“Can I make a suggestion that I think would work for both of our needs?”

“You have needs?” he asked. Of course he knew I did, but I meant in this particular instance.

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