5. Riley
Chapter five
Riley
“Do you really have to frown so hard?” Beth asks from the front counter.
Since the gym is just a few doors down, Cinny Latte has been crazy busy this morning with customers stopping by before or after their workouts. This is the first time we’ve slowed down, and I have a feeling the lunch rush is about to make things crazy again.
“I’m sad!” I pout dramatically, as I slowly pluck a few ornaments off the tree and place them in the plastic storage bin. “Christmas is my favorite time of the year. I don’t understand why I need to put all the decorations away. We just put them up.”
My sister rolls her eyes. “We put them up about a month ago. Christmas is over, baby bro.”
Meg chuckles as she walks by. She punches in for her shift at the computer next to the cash register before turning toward Beth. “Aren’t you two twins? Why do you always call him baby bro?”
Beth winks at me. “I don’t know. I just think it’s cute.”
Technically, I was born first, but when Beth found out I was a little, she started calling me — and loving it —‘baby bro .’ She might not play with me in a scene, but I love how she accepts my little Riley side.
“But seriously, Riley. Christmas is over.”
I wave a hand at all the people walking by the window. “Tell that to all the holiday shoppers. You know all the shops on Main Street won’t slow down until the middle of January. It’s because everyone still has Christmas on their minds. Hence, why I should leave the decorations up for just a little longer.”
Beth laughs. “I don’t care what you do at your place. But when the general public removes their decorations on the first of January, then that means we need to as well.”
I turn my back on my sister and continue taking the ornaments down with a pout on my face. No one said I had to be mature about it.
The bell chimes, letting me know that someone walked in, but I don’t bother turning around since I know Meg is at the cash register now.
“I’m just so disappointed in myself. If I had faced my fears, I could have spent the Christmas season with a wonderful Daddy. Now I have to wait a whole year to enjoy hot chocolate and coffee with John by the tree or do any of the fun holiday things, like decorating for Christmas with him.”
Beth appears by my side and whispers to me. “Oh my god, speaking of Daddy, the most delicious-looking Daddy just walked into our shop, and he’s headed this way.”
I spin around, expecting to see Hunter, or Cal, or any of the many Daddies in town, only to feel my mouth drop open in shock. My sister is right, the most delicious-looking Daddy just walked in, and I’m trying not to drool.
John.
My John is here and making his way toward me.
Even though he never sent me any photos of himself, I was too curious a few weeks ago. I looked up my Santa Daddy on social media. He was definitely younger in his profile photo, but I immediately recognized him as Daddy John, the handsome man my friends Ash and Noah met on a cruise this summer.
I might have spilled the beans to Ash, who immediately squealed before sending me tons of group photos that all included John.
John steps closer and I can’t help but appreciate how devastatingly handsome he is. Sharp cheekbones, a chiseled jaw, and striking blue-gray eyes. His salt-and-pepper hair is perfectly styled and the whole look could totally give a younger George Clooney a run for his money.
He’s clutching a bouquet of flowers with the cutest little teddy bear tied to it. I take in his outfit and notice he’s in a well-tailored suit. Did he dress up for me? My heart is racing.
He looks nervous as he opens his mouth to say something, but I can’t help myself. Before he can even get a word out, I throw myself into his arms.
“Santa Daddy!”
John gasps, wrapping his arms tighter around me. He’s so warm and soft, and his belly is so cuddly. I nestle against him. How is this happening? Am I dreaming, or is he really here?
“Did you mean what you said?” he asks.
I try to sort through the last several minutes but come up blank. “I said something?”
He chuckles, a low rumbling sound that causes my toes to curl. “Did you mean it when you said you wanted to spend Christmas with me next year?” He pulls back and looks me in the eye.
I beam up at him and try to pour all my warmth and sincerity into my words. “I do. I want to spend next Christmas with you. I’m just bummed I missed out on this year.”
A determined look crosses his handsome face. He places his fingers on my chin and tips my face up. “Enough of that, baby boy,” he whispers. “No more putting yourself down. I’m here now and we can celebrate Christmas anytime you want. Plus, I still have lots of gifts to give you.”
He hands me the flowers with the little teddy bear, and I swear, I must be giving him the biggest heart eyes he’s ever seen because he chuckles lightly.
Beth clears her throat.
“Oh, let me introduce you to my sister,” I say, spinning around.
“Actually,” Beth replies. “We met!”
My gaze bounces between the two of them. A warm smile covers John’s face as recognition dawns, but Beth is the one who continues talking.
“John was here a few weeks ago.” She snaps her fingers. “It was the day of the auction.”
“I did. I had a coffee and one of those orange-and-vanilla scones before heading to the club,” he says, laughter in his tone. “I asked to meet the owner so I could thank them for having one of the best scones I’ve ever tasted.”
John smiles at me before turning and shaking Beth’s hand. “It’s nice to see you again, Beth.”
“I had a wonderful conversation with John. Anyway, I’ll let you two catch up.”
“I’m about to take my lunch break. Wanna join me?” I ask, bouncing on my toes. “I still can’t believe you’re here.”
John nods. “I’d love to. Did you bring a lunch, or can I take you out?”
“Do you mind if we eat here? There’s something I want you to try. It’s something I was hoping to perfect for you.”
His lips part with shock. “For me?”
I grin up at him. “Yes. You mentioned the other day that you loved croissants with ham and cheese. I think I finally nailed it. Would you wanna grab us a seat while I get them for us? I’ll even get us a large strawberry and blue cheese salad for us to share.”
“That sounds wonderful, baby boy. I’ll get us a seat.”
John’s timing couldn’t have been more perfect. I finally got the croissants just right, with that perfect mix of crispy and flaky on the outside and soft on the inside. I pop them back into the mini toaster oven to warm them up.
John is smiling at me from the other side of the café. I make it to our table in record time and place the large salad bowl between us before handing him a croissant. Beth brings us two plates and two glasses of water. I’ll have to remember to thank my sister for being so thoughtful.
“Damn,” he hums. “This smells really good.”
We both take a bite and moan.
“Perfection.”
As if we’ve done this a thousand times, John confidently reaches for my plate and places a huge serving of salad on my dish. God, he’s such a Daddy. The whole display makes me giddy with anticipation.
“How did you know it was me?”
“Hmm?”
“When I walked up to you, you immediately called me Santa Daddy. You didn’t even pause. Somehow, you knew.”
I blush. “I only thought it was fair. You knew what I looked like. So, I might have looked you up online to put us on a more even playing field.”
“You stalked me?” He laughs, and I swear his eyes are twinkling.
“You stalked me first!”
“I guess I did. But that photo I have online is so outdated. Not to mention, I’m even older-looking. How the hell did you recognize me?”
I shake my head. “You don’t look that different. Maybe more handsome,” I flirt, rubbing my foot up his calf and causing him to smile. “But I spotted you instantly because I remembered you from all the photos you took with Ash and his friends when they went on that Pride Cruise over the summer.”
“Ah. So that’s why Ash messaged me asking if I had any photos of the trip.” John chuckles. “I sent him photos of the ocean and some of the spots we visited, but he didn’t seem impressed. He just asked if I had any hot photos of myself. Since the boy and I never really flirted, and I happen to know how much he loves his boyfriend, Drake, I was very confused.”
I burst into laughter.
John glances around Cinny Latte, and I try to take in the café with fresh eyes.
“I love the look of this place. When you mentioned renovating and rebranding the business, I kept picturing something more…modern. I like this better.”
He points at the large blue buffet next to the front counter that houses all the loose-leaf teas and coffee beans for sale.
“I wanted something homier and comforting. When my father had his heart attack, Beth and I were determined to turn this café around. We wanted to make him proud. I always imagined friends coming here to chat over coffee, or students casually studying while getting their caffeine fix.”
“I love it. You two clearly did a fantastic job.” He waves at the forming line of customers. Looks like the lunch rush is finally here. “Did you paint all the furniture yourself?”
“Yes! Beth and I both did. It was a fun project, and a lot more affordable than buying all new stuff that matched.”
John smiles and nods. “Smart. This is a lovely café. Your passion for this place really shows.”
I preen under his praise. I might have had a lot of help from my sister, but Cinny Latte is my baby. It was my vision brought to life, and I love that my sister let me run wild with my dreams.
“Although, I’ll be honest. I thought you worked at a bakery.”
I laugh. “Oh my gosh! I’m so sorry. But I’m glad you figured it out and found me.”
We continue chatting while we finish eating lunch, and neither of us can help but flirt with each other. Everything is so new, yet comfortable. I never had this before, and I think a good part of it is thanks to us texting so often and getting to know each other first.
Honestly, it feels like a date, and I’m not surprised by how easily our conversation flows. Just like in our text messages, talking to Daddy John is so easy.
Twenty minutes later, we’re both sipping a sugary coffee concoction Beth made for us. I’m enjoying my time with John, and kind of wish we weren’t so short-staffed today, or I’d leave with him.
“You know, if I didn’t already know you were a little before, I think this would confirm it.” He grins, waving a finger at the pin on my apron.
My cheeks heat when I glance down at my outfit.
I totally forgot I was wearing my apron with the little apples on it. I finger my pin nervously. The pin may seem like an ordinary bear enamel pin to an outsider, but those who know the brand will recognize it as coming from a company that specializes in products for littles.
I might know that John is a Daddy, but I never actually asked him what type of submissive he preferred. “Is that a good thing?”
“It is to me.”
I smile into my mug. It’s been a really long time since anyone has flirted with me and made me feel special. It’s not only his words or his praise, but the way he leans forward and listens. It’s as if he’s trying to memorize everything that leaves my lips. It’s the way he smiles at me, and the way his gaze lingers.
“So, you mentioned painting most of the furniture here. Really, I love the whole aesthetic with bright colors, but I have to know, was the color choice a nod to your little side?”
My eyes widen in shock. “No one knows that but Beth!” A sense of excitement overwhelms me. “Can I show you around?”
“Of course. I’d love to see what you’ve done.”
Over the next thirty minutes, I show him around Cinny Latte, pointing out all the furniture Beth and I refinished and painted together. John and I discover just how much our hobbies seem to align—his love of building furniture and my love for painting.
He seems shocked that we found every piece at secondhand stores and repainted them. I explain how much I love DIY projects, and he tells me he remembers from the charity auction brochure.
The auction feels like a lifetime ago, and even though I feel like I might have missed out on extra time with John, I’m happy with the way things turned out.