Page 7 of Colby's Lost Binky

“You don’t really think…”

“Only one way to find out, isn’t there?” His eyes twinkled behind the glasses he only wore here, going with contacts when at the club or presumably anywhere else. “How many appointments do you have left this afternoon?”

“One.”

“I’ll get that. If you’ll promise me to go right over to the coffeehouse and use that gift card this afternoon.”

“I—”

“Young man?”

Eesh.

“You’re using your daddy voice on me.”

“Whatever it takes. It’s for your own good.”

“Like spinach.”

“Let Virginia and Bonnie know I’ll be ready to see the patient in five minutes.” He hadn’t even been scheduled to help that day, but he was so adamant. What could I do? Except hide my smirk as I swept through the waiting room on my way out—stopping to admire the triplets who had crayons. Virginia would call maintenance to wash the walls.

Bonnie had giggled when I told her I was leaving. The nurse saw right through my attempt to sound regretful at leaving Stan to deal with Mrs. Smithers whose babysitter had canceled again. It was hard to blame the sitter. They were a real handful, these three toddlers.

But once I arrived at the coffeehouse, I was not so sure of myself. “Maybe he won’t even be here.” I wanted him to be. I wanted him to seem glad to see me. To let me know in some subtle way that he was indeed a little looking for the right daddy. And that maybe it was me.

The place was busy, but less so than during the munch, and the crowd was far less colorful. At this time in the late afternoon, most of those at the tables or lining up for a to-go beverage wore business casual or regular casual. That did not mean they were not members of Chained or lifestylers in some other way. Just that they were coming from their places of work or perhaps schooling…ordinary daily stuff.

I waited behind a trio of women who were discussing their boss in far less than admiring terms. If Virginia and Bonnie ever talked about me this way, I’d definitely feel I had some improvement to do as their employer.

“Next.” I stepped up to the counter to see the girl who’d taken my order at the munch. “What can I get you?”

“A latte.” I pulled the gift card from my wallet and slid it through the card reader. “I got this as a gift from a young man who works here. Colby?”

“Oh? Well, I’m glad you’re making use of it. Only a latte? There’s plenty of credit if you would like a muffin or sandwich?”

“Just the coffee for now, thank you.”

She smiled and handed me my drink. “I’ll let him know you stopped by when he comes in.”

He wasn’t here. Well, then, no need to worry about what he might say. I could report back to Stan—if he was still speaking to me after his appointment with Mrs. Smithers—that I’d given it my best shot. Pushy had never been my forte, and if a little preferred not to engage with me, that was their right. They did not owe me any explanation for their choice.

Coffee in hand, I left the coffeehouse, trying not to think that I’d deliberately left a balance on the card for another try. I just wasn’t hungry, so I hadn’t wanted anything else. I brushed past a woman hurrying inside, murmuring “Excuse me,” before emerging into the parking lot. After a warm day, the cool breeze felt nice on my face, and I paused a moment to enjoy it.

A car pulled up in the spot next to where I’d found the blankie, and who should step out of it but Colby. I had a moment before he saw me to walk away. If I truly believed he had no interest, it was the thing to do, right?

But he sent me the card that brought me here, and the very least I could do was say hello and thank him for it. So I remained where I stood, in the pool of light spilling from the coffeehouse. And let him approach me. He seemed lost in thought, never looking in my direction, although I just about blocked his way in the door. His focus allowed me to take him in at my leisure. He wore jeans that hung low on his hips, highlighting his trim waist and strong thighs. But everything about his face held that youthful innocence that called out to the daddy in me.

He was only a handful of steps away when he seemed to notice me. “Barrister. Hi. What are you doing here?”

Did that mean I shouldn’t be? I decided to keep it natural and not make a big deal. “Someone sent me a gift card, and I stopped by to use it on the way home from work. I was hoping I’d have the chance to thank you.”

“Oh, you’re welcome.” He came closer, the two of us in the light now, as if under a spotlight on a stage. “I sent it to thank you for finding my…my blanket.”

“It’s special to you,” I hazarded. More than hazarded. If he carried it with him in the car, it was something he found comfort in, would have been very sad to lose.

“Yeah. But not everyone would understand.” He was just arriving at work, fresh from a shower that had him smelling very good, the soap-and-water scent of clean skin and hair.

I closed more of the distance, a breath apart. “A daddy would.”

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