Chapter Ten

Cliff

Date night.

I wasn't sure he'd accept when I asked, and I couldn't push the issue. Not under the circumstances. But hearing his voice on the phone when he called to thank me for the stuffie, I sure hoped he would. Work was going to be a challenge to deal with, but there were many facets to life, and when someone came along who was so special, it was hard not to go for it. Not to say, I want to get to know you better. I think we might be right for each other .

He said so much in that call. More than I think he intended to, but I was grateful for it. And angry at others who had treated him so badly for things like being bi. I never understood the prejudice against that. Didn't everyone hope that they could be accepted for their true selves? Especially by those they came to care for. So he'd had mommies in the past, so he could be in relationships with both men and women. Why was that bad? What I saw was someone with a big heart, someone who was kind to coworkers every day. A hard worker whose very presence on the floor had people smiling. When he led a meeting, the attendees left ready to accomplish great things.

And he was willing to have dinner with me? I couldn't wait.

But I had to, and I used the time to plan our date. Where would he like to have dinner? Forrest was relatively new in town and had confided that the only places he'd been to eat were a few near the office at lunchtime and takeout or delivery at home. But he was very enthusiastic about our city and interested in learning all about it. So…where to take him? There were many excellent choices, but what was the perfect one for Forrest to experience the best of our city and also be a place we could relax and talk without feeling rushed.

I finally decided on a family-owned Italian restaurant that had been in business for three generations. I'd been going there for a long time myself and had never had a bad meal. Casual dress, delicious food, a cool vibe with not the fastest service because nobody was in a rush…perfect.

On the night in question, I showed up at Forrest's apartment door wearing slacks, another black button-down, and a big smile. I rang the bell and waited…and waited, starting to wonder whether I had the time wrong when he finally opened the door, wearing only one shoe. "I'm sorry, can you give me a minute? Nick stole my shoe." And he disappeared into the apartment, leaving me to follow. I watched Forrest dart back and forth while the cat sat on the sofa and watched, until finally we were ready to go.

"I would have thought he was old to be up to such shenanigans." I held the car door while Forrest climbed then went around to my side and got in myself. "How old did you say he was?"

"Seven and sometimes he's a big kitten. He didn't hurt the shoe, but I think he wanted to hide it so I'd stay home."

"Sounds like you two are getting alone pretty well." I turned on the engine and backed out of the space. "Have you been to Mama Italia?"

"No but people at work have said good things. Is that where we're going?"

"We sure are."

"Yum. I skipped lunch, too." He glanced in my direction, and I knew why. A daddy would have something to say about missing meals. But I wasn't his daddy yet, and obviously he knew better. "I shouldn't do that."

"I'm glad you recognize that." The restaurant was very close, another reason I'd picked it, and soon we were being seated in a cozy booth under some cliché fake grapevines that had been there for the whole history of the place, from what a server who had been there for a couple of decades told me.

I slid into the booth and halfway across, very pleased when Forrest followed, leaving only a few inches between us. He wore a light, woodsy fragrance or maybe it was his soap, but whatever it was, I breathed it in. "Would you like to order pasta, or maybe we could share a pizza? Or both?"

"Pizza," he asserted, "but maybe with an appetizer?"

"A man after my own heart. They have a platter with a little of everything, app wise." I ordered both and sat back to spend some time with Forrest. The server came back a few minutes later with our platter and two glasses of red wine we hadn't ordered but did enjoy. I wouldn't have more, but by the time we ate our dinner, I would be perfectly fine to drive. "So, tell me about your previous job? You left it for us?"

"Yes, and even before I scoped out a certain daddy boss, I knew I wanted to work for this company. And I'm so glad I did."

"Because you like your work."

"Yes, but even present company excepted, everyone has been so nice to me, and I like my apartment and certainly my cat." Toying with the wineglass, he murmured, "Although I don't want to except present company."

Just then, the server returned with our apps platter, and we dug in. There was fried zucchini and mozzarella sticks, calamari, and several other things, some of which I wasn't sure of, but all of which tasted delicious. Forrest enthusiastically dipped each and every one in ranch dressing, and I suppressed a grin.

This date was about being big, not little, but ranch transcended all age barriers. When the platter was cleaned, the pizza arrived and Forrest picked up a slice and bit in. "Oh my god," he said through a mouthful. "This is so good and right near my place. How have I missed it?"

"You'd have found it eventually, but I'm glad I was the one to bring you here."

As we ate and talked, I learned a lot about Forrest's background and what was important to him, and by the time I walked him to his door, I wanted to see him again.

He stood fiddling with his keys. "Thanks for a nice evening. I guess I'd better go in."

We'd been so close together the whole night but never touched. I changed that now, leaning in to take the keys and open the door for him. He watched me closely as if not sure what I was going to do, but I had no intention of overstepping tonight. We weren't there yet. Instead, I stroked his cheek and kissed him on the lips, softly, sweetly, and when his lips parted under mine, I deepened the contact, stroking his tongue with mine for a long moment. Then I stepped back and cupped his cheek, tilting his face to kiss him again, wanting so much more but not willing to take it.

Straightening, I sighed. "Night, Forrest."

"Good night, D-Cliff. I'll see you at work."