Page 24 of A Much Younger Man
Hopefully Beck would stop by in the morning. Maybe I’d get that smile I wanted.
Jeremy came back. “What looks good tonight, Doc?”
“I think…a green salad, please, and the lobster mac and cheese.”
“Ooh, that’s luscious.” He winked. “Good choice.”
“I’ll be taking a piece of pie home for dessert too. What’s left?”
“Chocolate cream, coconut cream, apple, fresh peach—”
“Peach. Perfect.”
“You want ice cream with that?”
“Absolutely. I’ll just quadruple the cardio tomorrow.”
He glanced over at Izzie, who happened to be the owner of the local gym. “You know it doesn’t really work like that, right?”
“I’m not actually going to do it.” I waved him in closer, like this was a secret. “I’m just giving the idea lip service.”
“Lip service…” He deliberately dropped his gaze to my lips. “I could get behind that.”
Shocked by his flirtatious banter, I fumbled my menu as I handed it back to him. I didn’t flirt with babies. What were they putting in the energy drinks these kids chugged?
Did I have a sign on me?
Did Ineedone?
That made two times in one week I found myself focusing on someone nearly half my age and sort of wondering…What’s the worst that could happen if I did date someone younger?
I was not interested in raising my next ex.
“Okay.” My cheeks went hot under his scrutiny. “Wow, thanks. Can I have a water?”
“Sure, and I’ll be right back with your meal, Doc.” As he headed to the kitchen with my order, he glanced back with a cocky laugh.
Only teasing, I thought. He’s only joking around. After he’d disappeared from sight, I sighed. Maybe it wasn’t so comfortable living in a small town after all.
Taking stock, I’d spent a boatload of money on a homeless man’s guitar. And for whatever reason, it seemed I’d started noticing—and being noticed by—men much younger than me. Which was just ridiculous if it was true. The last thing I needed was the kind of attention I’d get if I started going after twinks.
“Jeremy?” I called him over. “You know what? I think I’ll take the whole meal to go.”
“Really? Do you have to go?” I didn’t imagine the disappointment on his face.
“It’s been a really long day.” The words were becoming my mantra.
“All right, if you’re sure. I’ll wrap that up for you then.” His walk seemed a little dejected, but I didn’t know what to do about it.
“Thank you,” I offered, but he was already out of earshot.
I tipped well. Better than well. My wallet should bleed from the damage I’d done to the cards inside it that day.
I took my meal home and ate it standing at the kitchen sink as penance for the mess I’d become.
Tons of guys my age would take advantage of Jeremy’s admiration. It was fair to say that. It was safe to say that if I laid on the charm, I could probably take my pick of the bright young men in St. Nacho’s. But if I wasn’t willing to find a partner on equal terms, I was less willing to take on someone who might only want me for my cash.
That would be a monumental embarrassment, and I was a pretty proud man.
Better to eat over the kitchen sink and go to bed unaccompanied.
Much better to take care of animals and leave the humans alone.
