Chapter 2
Chapter Two
August
“He’s back!” Jovan jumped up from the sofa in the conversation area and clapped me on the back, shaking my hand. “We thought you’d decided to stay and give up all this.”
“It’s good to be home.”
Chained held that title almost as much as the house where I looked forward to sleeping after my evening at the club. Most people would have probably gone there first, but after being away for a few months, I wanted the company of friends more than rest.
My grandpa built the house after he proposed to my grandmother, and she said, “If we get married, where will we live?”
The way he told it, she didn’t demand anything fancy, but she deserved the very best. So, he set to work, using the skills he’d acquired working in construction, and on their wedding night, he brought her home to a house designed just for her.
When they retired, my folks bought the house, rearing my sister and I in the home with the romantic story.
We were the kids always embarrassed by walking in with friends to find their parents snuggling on the couch.
How could I ever let it leave the family?
Even if I hadn’t found my own love story yet, it gave me hope.
But until the day I met my partner or little or, if all things went better than I had any right to expect, one person who fit both of those places in my heart… Until that time, coming to Chained was a great way to feel accepted. To spend time with my friends who I didn’t have to explain myself to.
Jovan, a doctor and a daddy, sat down again. “Did everything go well?”
“Better than, I think.” I took a seat in a leather armchair across from him, greeting Bridger and a couple of other daddies.
Many evenings, those who had relationships with littles would have had them nearby, playing with toys or having snacks, but every now and then, we’d do a daddy’s night out, like tonight.
In a way, it was easier for me because sometimes it was hard to see others who had found a little perfect for them. But also, I was very glad for my friends, and I enjoyed seeing their adorable littles. It gave me hope.
“Details,” Bridger said. “When you left, you were concerned you’d be pressured to move there permanently, and we hardly heard a word from you the whole time. So…are you just back to pack up?”
“Hang on.” I waved over a passing server.
“Jenna, an old-fashioned, please. And is there any kind of sandwich on the menu tonight? I haven’t eaten since breakfast.” There was always a selection of apps, but sometimes a special like a sandwich or wrap.
I really wanted something more substantial than finger foods. ”
“You’re in luck. There’s no menu item, but chef is testing out a few on the staff. How about a nicoise on I think it’s a baguette? Or a prosciutto, mozzarella, and fig jam on some sort of Italian roll. I think there’s more to that one, maybe a little rosemary?”
“He’ll let you sneak one of those out here?” I was in luck—chef was also a daddy and had a soft spot for our group.
“Or one of each?” Bridger asked. “We’d be glad to help with feedback if he wants us to.”
“Let me see what I can do.” She winked and darted off through the crowd. In addition to being a server, Jenna spent her free evenings at the club as a submissive, and, when I left, rumor had it, a certain dom was hoping to make her his forever sub. All kinds of love stories here at Chained.
Another server brought my drink while Jenna was in the kitchen begging for sandwiches, and I leaned back and let some of the tension ease from my shoulders.
“Well?” Jovan asked. “Are you our one-night stand?”
“Did I say how glad I am to be here…to stay?”
“That’s great!” Bridger clinked his glass to mine. “So, fill us in.”
“As you all know, I didn’t want to move, but it isn’t easy to find another job so perfect for me.
I really was afraid of having to make a choice, so instead, I focused on creating a department that would function well, without putting myself at its head for the long term.
There was a woman who had been in another department there for ten years, and I learned she’d been very disappointed not to be put in charge. ”
Our sandwiches arrived just then. Not one or two but a platterful of the two types cut into quarters and a stack of small plates and napkins.
Jenna set it all on the low table in the center of our conversation grouping.
Smirking. “Chef said to tell you only because it’s the daddies, and not to tell anyone else.
He is also emailing you a survey to get your thoughts. So…no charge.”
“Jenna, you’re the best.” I picked up a piece of the nicoise and admired the golden baguette and the colorful filling. Took a bite, chewed, and swallowed.
“We love you, Jenna, but Chef may be the best.” Jovan waved a piece of the Italian special. “Maybe you can share the title.”
I might not have been the one who skipped lunch. Or perhaps the food was just that good because all conversation died until the platter lay completely empty. My personal policy of never doing surveys would go out the window on this one.
Full of delicious food, a second drink in my hand, I fully relaxed for the first time in a while. “Did you get a chance to visit Collared while you were there?” Bridger asked.
“I worked. Period.”
Fearing that if I took one moment longer than necessary, the powers that be would consider me settled in the position, I’d worked at top speed to get the office up and running. Which meant long days, late nights planning, and generally running myself into the ground.
“Must have been hard on you.” Jovan studied me. “How much sleep did you get? Your bags have bags.”
“Not nearly enough.”
“Eating badly?”
Having a doctor daddy in the group was great in most ways.
Not so much the discerning eye when someone treated themselves badly.
“Everything badly. No balance whatsoever. All I wanted was to get it done and make sure I’d be able to come home.
” To my house, my friends…everything. And Hal?
He hadn’t said he was little, but I got that feeling.
I fished in my pocket, looking for a protein bar I thought I’d stuffed in there earlier, but my fingers closed around something else. I pulled out the unicorn bracelet from the man I’d rescued on the side of the road.
“What is that?” Bridger leaned closer and tilted his head. “You didn’t tell us you met someone. Not at Collared…but somewhere?”
“You won’t believe it.” I launched into the story of Hal, holding my audience captive until I finished.
None of my friends spoke for a few minutes. Then Bridger said, “You rescued a little. How cosmic is that.”
I reminded them that he had not said that he was, but I thought there was a good chance. “And I’ll never see him again anyway. I mean, what are the odds?”
Jovan cleared his throat. “Ernie, my little, has a friend named Hal who works at your company. Makes me wonder.”
Made me wonder too. About to slip the bracelet into my pocket, I put it on my wrist instead. I would wear it to work, hoping if I did run into the right Hal at work, I’d seem safe.
Just please let him be in a different department.