Page 4 of Wylan

Hell, if I’m being honest, I would love to live here too. Unfortunately, this place is extremely expensive, more so than other retirement homes. He’s under the impression his retirement covers the costs and has no idea I’m paying for part of it with my income and the rest with my trust fund. If Grandpa knew, he would probably blow a gasket and then insist on moving into my place instead.

Then he’d really see how frugal I’m living.

Leaning over him, so he doesn’t have to stand, I wrap him in a hug. “Don’t tell me you’re getting judgmental in your old age,” I joke.

He pulls me tighter against his slim body, happy that he’s finally putting on that extra weight he’d needed.

“I would never judge you for your job. As long as you’re happy and can pay the bills, it’s not a bother to me.” Grandpa gives me an all-knowing look. “But don’t forget, son. I know you. You want more in life. My money says you’re staying there for that pretty boss of yours.”

My mouth falls open in shock, and my cheeks heat. “Grandpa! Seth isn’t pretty!” Pretty is the last word that would pop into my mind when thinking about my dominant yet charming boss, with all his muscles and chiseled features. “And how the hell would you even know what he looks like?”

He smirks. “After you rambled on for hours about him, I convinced Nurse Joy to let me on the internets. He was a damn good-looking man—hot, according to Joy. Your Bossman looks like that damn superhero. What’s his name again? The blond with the long hair and the hammer?”

“Thor,” I mumble, my cheeks still on fire. Oh god, it’s true. He looks like Thor, only hotter. Who knew such a thing was even possible?

He snaps his fingers. “That’s the one. Pretty, if you ask me. All that long hair. Ask that man on a date and bring him by.”

I shake my head in horror. Asking my crush—aka my boss—out on a date is absolutely out of the question. As if it’s that easy.

“I’m only getting older,” he says, suddenly sounding serious. I sit up, alarmed. My eyes bounce around, taking in his appearance and trying to find something that’s wrong.

“Are you okay?”

He waves a hand in the air nonchalantly. “Of course, I am. I just want to make sure you have a good, solid man to take care of you when I’m gone.”

My face softens. “I can take care of myself, Pops.”

“I know you can, but I also know you want a real Daddy in your life.”

I blink. Did my grandfather just tell me I need a… no. There’s no fucking way. I’m close with Grandpa, but there’s no way in hell I would ever discuss my submissive tendencies and my yearning for a Daddy. Nope. Nope. Nope.

“I’m sorry, I think I misunderstood—”

“That Carl man you brought by last year? He is no Daddy. Please tell me you gave him the boot because that man can’t take care ofa damn cactus, let alone someone as sparkling as you. I’d bet my left foot on it.”

My mouth falls open for what must be the fifth time in less than ten minutes. I’m speechless. No. I’m dead. I died. It’s the only reason I can come up with as to how my sweet, elderly grandpa knows about my kinky desires and search for a Daddy.

“No,” I whisper, remembering that day Carl ‘accidentally’ left me at Silk. That day changed me. When I realized Carl was trying to make his ex-boyfriend jealous by flaunting me around the restaurant, I was horrified. When his attempts to start a scene backfired, Carl turned cruel. That week was the first time he showed his true colors. The man I thought I was falling for suddenly had so many red flags, I knew I had to get out of that relationship. And when he left me there in the restaurant, I didn’t follow.

Instead, Seth took care of me. In just one sweet, caring conversation, Seth showed me what a true Daddy should look like. That day, Seth unknowingly gave me a gift. And I was smitten. Unfortunately, Seth isn’t a Daddy, no matter how many times I imagine he’s mine.

“I dumped Carl a while ago.” I swallow hard, trying not to picture what my life would look like if I’d stayed with that horrible man.

“Good.” Grandpa pats me on the leg. “I think that’s what I want for Christmas this year. I want you to find yourself a good man. Or better yet, ask Thor out on a date. Then bring him by.”

My lips tilt up into a smile, despite my pounding heart. “And now you’re meddling. Maybe it’s not good for you to be around so many people your age.”

Grandpa barks out a laugh. “I just want my grandson happy.”

“And what, he thinks you need a man in order to be happy?” Riley asks, outraged on my behalf.

Ash giggles, bouncing in his seat. “Correction, he thinks Wylan needs a Daddy to be happy.”

I bury my face in my hands and groan. “Oh god. I can’t believe he knows. He probably heard me call my ex that.”

Jules nudges me with his foot as he swipes through his phone. “Concentrate. Concentrate,” he orders in a fake commanding tone. “We need to fill out this application before the deadline.”

Biting my lip nervously, I glance over at Jules. “Are you sure this is the best way to find a Daddy? I’m not your typical boy,” I say with a frown. Cheerful, instrumental Christmas music is playing lightly through the overhead speakers. It’s a stark contrast to the sudden wave of sadness I feel.

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