Page 9 of Coming for His Second Chance
I laugh out loud at that, and everyone in the office turns to look at me. To say I don't laugh is an understatement. What reason have I had to laugh, since my parents died? Not a single one, until now, until Kaitlyn. I ignore them and turn back to my text.
Me:I have shirts that cost more than they did. Plus, I loved how they looked on you. They’re as much for me as they are for you. Wear one tonight.
Kaitlyn:Okay, I will. Thank you, Grayson.
Me:You're welcome. I can't wait to find out what color you pick. It's all I’ll be able to think about.
Kaitlyn:Too bad there are six more hours, until our date.
Me:Longest six hours of my life.
Kaitlyn:Mine too.
Immediately, I start planning our date. I want to take her out and show her off. After last night, I don't want her to think I'm only interested in her for sex. I want the full Kaitlyn package, and tonight, is about proving that.
My goal is to do something different. Something that she’ll remember, and I don't want it being like any other date she has ever been on. I want her to forget every guy before now, and only focus on me.
As I finish up the last of the plans, her dad walks into my office.
"Grayson," he says.
"Sir."
"Come have lunch with me." He tilts his head back towards the door.
I nod and close down my computer, before following him to the deli across the street. We work in separate buildings, butthey’re next door to each other, so unexpected visits like this are common.
Since I lost my parents, we have been having lunch together. It's like he knew I'd need someone to talk to, and he's been my rock. I don't know what I would have done without him. Getting my Kaitlyn fix from him, has been an added bonus.
I think he needed someone to talk to as well. Things at home aren’t great. We don’t talk about it much, but we had some drinks after work one night, and he made a comment about how it was better for Kaitlyn to have a bad mom, than no mom at all. He’s prior military, so I know he will honor his commitments, like his marriage. Though, I wonder if he knew how they treated Kaitlyn, if it would make a difference.
We get our food, and he gets the same thing each week. A fried chicken sandwich with herb mayo. My order changes depending on my mood. Today, it's the BLT club. It's not because I know it's Kaitlyn's favorite, and I was just in the mood for some bacon. We sit down, before he finally looks at me again.
"I'm really glad you and Kaitlyn are talking again. I don't know what happened before, but I've always liked you," he says.
No one really knows what happened. By the time we figured it out, life had moved on, and it just didn't seem right to go blasting it everywhere. I avoid her stepsister like the plague, and until now, everything has been quiet.
Now that Kaitlyn’s home, I have a feeling it won't stay that way. Just like always, Linda will find a way to rock the boat and steal the attention.
Only this time, there’s nothing that will push me away from being at Kaitlyn's side through it all. I'm not the same shy boy I was seven years ago. Nothing will keep me from Kaitlyn, and I’ll destroy anyone who tries to, especially Linda. Though, I don't use my money very often, but with money, comes power, and when it comes to Kaitlyn, I will use that power to protect her.
"Thanks. I had dinner with her last night." The thought of her spread out in front of me pops into my head, and I'm hard again.
Trying to get some relief, I shift in my seat. This is not the time to have an erection, thinking of Kaitlyn, when her dad is sitting across from me.
"I really want to go slow with her, but I only have two weeks, and I don't want to waste this chance either," I say.
"I get it. It's your second chance. Don't waste it," he agrees. "You and I both know how life can change in an instant. You might not get another chance."
Thankfully after that, he changes the subject. We finish lunch and talk about work and the upcoming holiday. I tell him about my plans for our date tonight, and he says he thinks Kaitlyn will like them. That only slightly eases my nerves.
On the way outside, he stops and turns to me.
"You know, I saw a job posting in Georgia. You should check it out." He winks at me, and then turns and heads back to his office.
I stand there, staring after him. What? Did I hear him right?
The old man has lost his marbles. I can't move to Georgia. My company is here, my house is here, and everything my parents left me is here. I can't move to Georgia.
