Calix's expression softened. "It is, but I can't help worrying about you, sweetheart. You've never done this before. I'm concerned about you seeing a total stranger."
"I can show you his picture."
Rhett grabbed his phone and opened the app, then swiped until he'd found SilverDaddy's profile. He held up his phone for Calix. "That's him?"
"Yeah?"
"Isn't he way too old for you?"
"He's forty-four. Twelve years older than me. That's not too much, I think."
"Wouldn't you rather have someone your own age?"
Rhett took back his phone and studied SilverDaddy's photo again. He really was good looking. He could see himself being attracted to this guy. Provided he wasn't an asshole. "Not really. I've always been more into older men. And I just figured that with my background and hang-ups, someone older would be a safer choice. Like, he's probably more experienced and has more patience?"
Calix took a step back, only reacting with a grunt. Was he disapproving?
"Besides, an exchange student in college taught me a Dutch saying. You have to learn to ride on an old bike, which means that you're better off learning from someone who's older."
Calix snorted. "That's funny."
"Don't you think I'm right, though? That an older guy would have more patience with me?"
"Maybe. Probably. I don't know. I don't like the idea of you meeting with this guy all by yourself."
"What, you want me to bring a chaperone?"
Rhett had meant it as a joke, but Calix's eyes lit up. "In fact, yes, I do. I'll go with you."
"What?" Surely he hadn't heard that correctly.
"I'll come with you to make sure you're okay."
"You'll come with me…" Rhett repeated, struggling to understand what Calix meant. "I can't show up on a date with another guy in tow."
"Of course not. Tell me where and when you're meeting this guy, and I'll make sure I'm in the same coffee shop. I'll keep a respectable distance, and he'll never know I'm with you. It's just a precaution."
Maybe Rhett was way more anxious about this whole date, meeting, whatever than he'd realized because that sounded like the perfect solution. "Are you sure?"
"Absolutely. Otherwise, I'd only worry about you. Besides, I told you I had a longer lunch break today anyway, so I'll grab lunch there."
"Okay. You know the coffee shop on ninth and F? That's where we're meeting. Twelve thirty." Rhett checked his watch. "Which means we have to leave in, like, five minutes."
"I'll go right now so I'll be there before you." Calix squeezed Rhett's shoulder with a firm hand. "Good luck, sweetheart. I hope he's everything you're looking for."
"So do I," Rhett whispered.
True to his word, Calix hurried off immediately. Rhett put his equipment in his office, then took his coat and headed out as well. He quickly checked on the app that SilverDaddy hadn't canceled, but he didn't have any new notifications. This was really happening.
Calix was amazing, offering to supervise the date. Rhett still wasn't quite sure why Calix was so nice to him, so protective of him, but he appreciated it more than he could say. To have someone other than Levar look out for him was a wonderful feeling, and Calix was so…
He was different from Levar. Not just as a person, but the friendship felt different. Was it because he was older or that they hadn't known each other for that long? Unlike his friendship with Levar and Henley, the one with Calix held an edge, a touch of danger, though he wasn't even sure what was dangerous about it.
It did feel as easy and uncomplicated as with Levar and his boyfriend, but at the same time, the air crackled with a tension that was absent from his other friendships. Rhett had no idea what caused it, so maybe it would go away over time? For now, he'd enjoy the hell out of Calix taking such good care of him.
He ambled over to the coffee shop, making sure he wasn't too early or too late. SilverDaddy was waiting for him outside, scrolling on his phone. Rhett immediately recognized him. At least his picture had been accurate. That was a good start, right? And he liked the dark brown dress shoes under the black chinos and the black winter jacket.
He cleared his throat. "Hi."
It came out much softer and more hesitant than he'd wanted, but SilverDaddy looked up. He smiled when he saw Rhett and instantly put his phone away. "Hi."
They stared at each other for a second or two, and then SilverDaddy's smile widened. "What do you want me to call you? Are you comfortable giving me your first name?"
Was he? His first name wasn't super common, but it wasn't that unusual either. "Sure. I'm Rhett."
SilverDaddy extended his hand. "Hal. It's a pleasure to meet you, Rhett."
God, would the whole date be this awkward? He certainly hoped not.
"Want to go inside?" Hal asked.
Rhett nodded, not trusting his brain to come up with actual words yet. His brain-mouth connection wasn't functioning fully.
Hal held open the door for him, and they walked inside together. Rhett immediately spotted Calix, sitting at the far end with his back against the wall. He winked at Rhett, and gratitude filled his heart.
"What can I get you?" Hal asked as he zipped open his jacket, revealing a blue-checkered dress shirt.
Rhett turned his attention back to his date. "Oh, I can order for myself."
"Please, allow me to order for you and pay. It would be my pleasure. I'd love to take care of you."
Oh. That was a nice gesture, right? Even if he'd worded it a little strange. Was there any reason why he should refuse? He couldn't think of any. "Okay. Thank you. I'll have a double espresso and a blueberry muffin. The muffins here are delicious."
"Do you come here often?"
"At least once every two weeks."
They shuffled forward in the line in front of the counter. "Your work must be pretty close, then. Do you get sent to different locations? Or are you employed by a studio?"
"Yeah, it's pretty close." Rhett kept it vague.
Hal studied him for a moment. Was he suspecting Rhett was keeping something from him? But then he smiled at him again. "So is mine. It's only a ten-minute walk. But I try to stay away from the muffins. A little too much sugar for me." He patted his flat stomach. "I'm at an age where I have to be a bit more careful about what I eat."
They chatted about neutral topics like their favorite foods and restaurants and what the last movie was they'd seen in the theater. After they'd picked up their order, Hal walked over to a table that was only three tables away from Calix. Perfect.
Rhett took off his coat and hung it over the chair, then sat down and unwrapped his muffin. He took a big bite and hummed with pleasure as the rich blueberry flavor hit his mouth. "Oh my god, these are so amazing. I can't believe you're able to resist them."
"You'll find I'm quite disciplined about things that are important to me."
Rhett's hand stopped halfway to his mouth. Was it his imagination, or had Hal stressed the word disciplined? No, he had to be imagining it.