Page 17 of For the Love of a Boy

“Yeah, but it’s part of that attention thing I was talking about.”

“Ah, got it.” Malcolm nodded. “I understand. Anyway, when I talked about shopping for clothes, I meant that the club isn’t a T-shirt and jeans type of place. Attendees are expected to dress more sophisticated. In your case, I was thinking a nice pair of black slacks with a dress shirt and tie. Something trendy, though. Not like what you’d wear to church.” He winked.

Seth snorted. “I hope not.” He pressed his lips together, seemingly lost in thought. “I think that would work.” He peered up at Malcolm again. “You said there were two parts to the club, right?”

“Yup.”

“Can we start in the dancing section first, see how that goes before we go to the other part? Or if everything goes okay, maybe save the other part for another time?”

“Whatever you’re comfortable with is what we’ll do.”

“I appreciate it…” He leaned closer. “Daddy.”

Malcolm offered him a soft smile. Some days his heart was so filled with Seth, he thought it might burst. “What about dancing? Is that a possibility? Totally fine if it’s not.”

Instead of appearing worried or scared, Seth’s features brightened. “It’s so cool that men can dance together there. I don’t know how, but I could try.” His cheeks reddened. “I’ll probably look silly. It’s just that being able to be in public with you that way is exciting. Does that sound dumb?”

“Not at all. Is it a date then?”

Seth broke out in a wide grin. “It’s a date.”

“Awesome. Let me grab the check then we can get going. Have we decided what the status is on shopping yet?”

Seth regarded him with concern. “Are you too tired?”

“I’ve got a couple more hours in me now that I’ve eaten. You?”

Seth nodded vigorously. Malcolm could tell Seth didn’t want to go home yet.

“Me too. And anyway, we’re already here, right? I love all the decorations and the big fountain in the square. After seeing Dr. Clay’s office, I’ve decided I love fountains.”

Malcolm tilted his head. “Oh? Huh. They are very soothing. Maybe we should get a little one for the sunroom. What do you think?”

“I think it would be amazing.”

Seth’s happy grin energized Malcolm even more. Seth was right. They were already there, and anyway, the Market boasted an incredible toy store that would be perfect to pick up some items to donate to the annual Toys for Tots Christmas drive. He could also check out a few of the women’s boutiques, see if he could find something for his mom. Having Seth help him choose her present would be another way to include him, too.

The sun was out, but the way Oregon weather worked in the winter, the clear skies meant it was even colder. He’d made sure they both had their warm jackets and scarves before they left. If he wasn’t so sure Seth would get too stressed about it, he would’ve also loved to hold his hand.

After strolling through two ultra-chic stores, and observing Seth scrunch up his nose at every potential mom gift Malcolm had asked his opinion on, he’d decided to go to a store that carried more classic styles. It occurred to him that he might be choosing what he’d like for her, not so much what she’d like to have.

Seth tugged on his sleeve right before they stepped into Pendleton. “You know your mom better than I do. Maybe I should let you pick out her present.”

“Actually, I think you’re on to something. The more I think about it, none of those things I showed you are really her style. They’re not her. Like you were saying about the club outfits on you.” Malcolm took a chance and gave him a quick squeeze before letting go. “Thanks to you, she’ll probably be getting something she truly enjoys for once.”

Once they were inside the store, Seth seemed much more interested in the type of merchandise carried there than the other places they’d gone to. Malcolm noted that Seth still grappled with sticker shock, but Malcolm hoped he’d soon become more relaxed with the money they spent.

Malcolm didn’t consider himself over-indulgent, although lately, he’d had to struggle with himself when it came to Seth. While he realized Seth wasn’t material-driven, he knew how much he’d gone without his whole life. Witnessing Seth’s joy when he could give him something he’d never had before sometimes seemed as if it was more for his own benefit, rather than Seth’s. He chuckled to himself. He supposed it made them equally happy.

After debating over several items, they both agreed his mom could get a lot of use out of the weekender bag trimmed in leather. Seth proclaimed the classic design to be acceptable. Malcolm didn’t bring the subject up, but after Seth inquiring at Thanksgiving about them having guests, he wondered if Seth was getting closer to being ready to meet his parents.

“All right, let’s see what the toy store has to offer.”

Seth reached for the Pendleton shopping bag. “Here, let me carry that.”

Malcolm frowned as he handed over the bag. “Thank you.” It wasn’t that he didn’t appreciate Seth’s offer, but he’d sounded frantic—as if he had to carry the purchase.

As soon as they set foot in the large, bright toy store with open-beam ceilings, Seth appeared to be on the verge of a panic attack. He hadn’t expressed any concerns when Malcolm had brought up going there and had even seemed excited about picking out presents for the toy drive. Malcolm’s Daddy side wanted to whisk Seth out of the shop, rush him back to the safety and privacy of their home and hold him in his arms the rest of the night. However, that wouldn’t address the underlying issue. If nothing else, Malcolm needed to uncover what was happening to his boy right now.

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