Page 16 of Baby Boy

“I’d like that,” Avery admitted. He handed Jace his menu. What a great first step of acceptance.

“Good boy,” he murmured before the waiter reached them.

“Hello, gentlemen, welcome to Michelle’s. I’m Marco and I will be taking care of you tonight. Can I get you started with some wine or another drink?”

Thankfully, from prior conversations, he knew that Avery wasn’t much a drinker and didn’t like wine. “We’d both like a glass of iced tea, please.”

Avery peered up at him from under his lashes, seeming pleased.

“Absolutely,” Marco said. “I’ll grab your drinks and some bread.”

“Thank you.” He waited until Marco had walked off before giving Avery his attention.

“Is there anything that you’re against trying?”

“No,” Avery responded. “It smells so good in here.”

“Great. I know just what to get you then.”

“Thank you,” Avery said quietly.

“Of course,” Jace replied. “You just sit there and relax. We’ll have a good dinner and you don’t have to worry about anything at all.” He so hoped he could give Avery the perfect night.

Avery fiddled with his cloth-wrapped silverware. “What about…what we were going to talk about?”

“Later,” Jace instructed. “Right now is about getting you fed.”

“Okay,” Avery agreed.

“You had class today, right?” Jace asked. “What classes are you taking.”

Avery sat up straighter. “I couldn’t get into the classes I wanted but I did sign up for two that are really fun. First thing in the morning I have a mythology class. We’re learning about the Greek Gods right now and it’s so interesting.”

Jace nodded as Avery explained everything he loved about the course. Jace wanted to question why Avery hadn’t gotten into the classes he’d wanted but bit back the words. He didn’t know if it was funds or something else.

Marco returned with their drinks and a basket of bread as well as garlic and butter. Avery stopped talking, waiting as Marco placed everything on the table in front of them.

“Would you like to hear about our specials tonight?” Marco asked.

It might be from ordering the drinks, but Jace didn’t miss the fact that Marco directed his question to Jace. Avery didn’t seem to mind. He was the type who grew more nervous the more attention that was directed toward him.

“I don’t think that will be necessary,” Jace responded. “I’d like the baked chicken parmesan.” It was what he always ordered. “And for my date…please bring him a slice of your homemade lasagna.”

“Excellent choices,” Marco confirmed. “I’ll get that order right in for you. Is there anything you need in the meantime?”

“No, thank you.”

Marco left them again and Jace glanced at Avery who appeared just as relaxed as Jace had wanted.

“What about your other class?” Jace asked. He wanted to know everything about his boy.

He was surprised by the blush on Avery’s cheeks. Avery squirmed in his chair before reaching for his tea. He took a quick sip then set it back on the table with aplunk. He winced.

“It’s okay,” Jace said, leaning forward.

“It’s a little weird,” Avery admitted.

“College is a time to explore,” Jace told him. True, he’d known going in that he would get a business degree to join his father in the family business but he’d taken some fun classes too. “It’s never wrong to learn new things.”

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