Page 12 of Brighton

His head swiveled around so fast I feared we may need to call a priest. “Oh, ah, yeah?”

“Yes, sweet boy. Back to that discussion as you’d not formally agreed. I’d leave you alone, though I’d be sad in doing so if I wasn’t for you. I don’t stay where I’m not wanted.” Hence, Stevie. The little shit.

“I’ve never been on a date.” Brighton’s whisper was so low I’d barely heard him.

“I’d be honored to be your first.”If you’d let me, though I didn’t verbally acknowledge that. Guilt wasn’t the way to win a heart, at least not in my book. I’d not manipulate a boy—ever.

“Um, yeah, okay.” Brighton turned those adorable eyes on me and timidly smiled. “Yes.”

“Yes?” Verification was needed after that amount of uncertainty.

“Yes. I’d like that.” Brighton returned to playing with the cats while I cleaned up the packaging and dinner containers and took the trash to the shoot I’d passed in the hallway. When I returned, both cats were on his lap.

“All right, Brighton. I think it’s time I take my leave. Would next Saturday work for our date?” I was excited about the prospect. Dinner and Christmas lights was a fun night out for anyone.

Brighton stood and brushed off his pants. “Thank you, Edward. For everything.”

“You are very welcome.” More than anything I wished to draw him into my arms and hold him tight but fear of pushing the proverbial envelope kept me from it. Maybe next Saturday I’d get to feel his body pressed to mine and get a taste of those sweet lips his teeth currently abused. “I’ll reach out this week and we can set a time. Would that work for you?”

“Yes.”

“Okay, lock the door behind me and enjoy your new friends.” I shut the door before I did any of the many things I longed to do, such as kiss him. I hardly knew Brighton, yet it was increasingly difficult to walk away from him. It appeared fast was the only speed for which I traveled.

“Simon,” I said to my best friend before I’d even removed my coat. “Daddy’s heart is in trouble.” And that was the truth of the matter. My instincts were different, calmer, not asokay, boy, let’s gowhere I’d dive right into being a Daddy. Easing Brighton into the lifestyle, or hopefully doing so I should say, would be a learning experience for me. “Who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, huh, buddy?”Ruff!“That’s right.”

Still full after the Thai Brighton and I just finished, I fed Simon and grabbed my iPad in lieu of eating again. I found the locations for the various holiday light festivals and found the perfect one near a favorite restaurant of mine. We could leave my truck with the valet and walk without worry to the event. It came together brilliantly. An evening full of life and one I hoped Brighton wouldn’t soon forget. I wished to stay in the forefront of his mind as he’d become a permanent vision in mine.

I shot off a text to him,Favorite food?

Brighton:Um, seafood. Or steak. That’s a tough one.

Okay, where I had in mind was known for both.

Me:Good to know. Do you mind an early dinner, say five o’clock?

Brighton:Not at all. Where should I meet you?

Me:How about if we take one vehicle and I pick you up at four-thirty?

Brighton:Works for me.

His reply came with a picture of the furry sisters attacking a spinning ball toy they had.

Me:They are so happy as am I that they found their perfect fur-ever home.

Throughout the week, the texts between us increased. I’d amassed quite a collection of pictures of Maleficent and Ursula and cherished every one of them.

“You sure do smile more lately,” Dorine teased me. “Does it have something to do with a special pup or a special boy?”

“Can it be both?” I winked and left her to her thoughts, knowing full well it would eat her alive to not be privy to the details. This thing with Brighton was new and vulnerable and I didn’t want to curse it by wishing too hard on it. Or speaking too loudly about it. “Ask me again on Monday.” Hopefully by then I’d know enough to share. For now, my fingers and toes were crossed.

“All right, Boss man, have a great weekend.” She logged off her computer Friday at five and I did the same. We waved to one another as we drove out of the lot, and I whistled a happy tune all the way home. Though once I got there, time was no longer on my side and dragged by until it was close enough to leave to pick up Brighton on Saturday. In that time, I’d cleaned the house, mowed the lawn, and did a ridiculous amount of honey dos to kill the hours with. Things that really didn’t need to be done but were anyhow.

Did I get flowers? Would Brighton appreciate that or be overwhelmed?

Chocolates?

A stuffie?

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