Page 6 of Approved (The Dapper Duck #1)

Chapter six

TYLER

Why did I think this was a good idea?

West had been nothing but nice to me, which made me want to get to know more about him, but I still wasn’t ready to date him—I think.

My brain told me it never hurt to learn more about a person, and he certainly had contacts that could come in handy, plus I could use more friends, since Jamie was the only one I had.

That was the story I told myself as I sat here and waited for West instead of being at home reading a romance book with Larry.

I left Earl home tonight since he had already settled into his bed when West made the offer.

When I saw him get out of his car, my insides swooped, and I felt tingly.

I shook it off as fatigue and watched him walk to the front door.

He was handsome, and my thoughts wandered to what was underneath that dress shirt.

I could tell he kept himself in shape without knowing him intimately, and my mouth watered thinking about his flat stomach and developed pecs.

Tonight, he had a bit of a five o'clock shadow, which meant he probably had a solid dusting of chest hair, and you could see some dark hair on his forearms, which was another indicator he was fuzzy. It was only a few moments, but my mind wandered to running my fingers through that hair while I lay cuddled against him. He entered the diner, looked around, and grinned when we made eye contact. My cock thickened while I thought about how much I wanted to explore all of his body. I needed to get under control before I embarrassed myself.

“Hey.” He looked nervous and raised his hand.

“Hey.” I waved back and felt myself blush—the situation in my pants didn’t improve. This was ridiculous.

He slid into the booth across from me. “I’m so glad you agreed to meet me. The pie here is amazing.”

The waitress came over and smiled at us both. “West, who’s your friend?”

“This is Tyler, the best florist in the city. Tyler, this is Irene. She is the proprietor of the best diner in the city.”

“Is that right?” She flipped over our coffee cups and filled them. “Are you getting your usual tonight?”

“Yes, Ma’am.” He answered her with a smile, then looked at me with that same smile.

“What can I get you, Tyler? Did he bring you in for the pie, or are you looking for food too?”

“Just pie for me tonight, Irene. I just don’t know how to choose.” The pie menu was two long columns, with probably thirty varieties.

She smiled and gave a little laugh. “I’ve heard that a few times. How about you do the same as West, he always seems happy when he’s done.”

He looked at me and nodded. “Yes. Do that, it’s my treat.” He told Irene, then looked at me, obviously excited.

I shrugged. “Pretty big deal that I trust you with my pie.” Irene headed to the kitchen, and my attention returned to West.

“Do you bring all your non-dates here?” I had no idea why I asked the question. His dating or non-dating life was none of my business, but something in me wanted to know.

“You’re the first person I have ever invited here. This place is too special to share it with just anybody.” His answer surprised me.

“Really?” He raised his eyebrow. “I am sorry that was rude, and it’s none of my business. There is no reason for me to be asking.”

“Are you curious about my dating life, Tyler?”

I swallowed. “No.” I looked around, and I could feel him staring at me. “A little.”

“You could ask me. I know you are trying to decide if you will let me take you on a date. Anything I can do to help you decide, I’m happy to do.” He smiled at me, his eyes crinkling at the corners.

It was impossible not to be attracted to him. “It really isn’t any of my business. That seems like a question for people who are dating.”

“I am trying to get a date. How about I tell you, and you can just file it away.”

“You don’t have to.” I should be ashamed of my behavior, but I was curious about the answer.

“But I want to, Tyler.” Casually, he reached over and patted my hand. That touch ignited a flame that ran up my arm and fanned out through my body. Holy shit. A reaction like that to somebody was completely new, and when he pulled his hand away, I wanted to grab it back.

Irene had returned to the table with long white plates. Each had five small slices of pie, next to the plates, she slid a bowl of vanilla ice cream.

“All of our pies are better ala mode.” She said and walked away.

“If I know Irene, we have ten different types of pie here.”

Using a spoon, I scooped up some ice cream and a bite of what looked like peach pie. He hadn’t been kidding. This was some of the best pie I had ever had. The crust was flaky and buttery; the filling was bursting with peach flavor. “Shit. That’s good.”

West grinned at me and took a bite of what I guessed was chocolate cream. "If you play your cards right, I’ll let you taste mine too.”

I smiled and then laughed. “I don’t think I can take more than one bite each at that rate. This is pretty amazing.” Tasting some of the other flavors, I stopped and looked at West. I kept returning to how much I wanted to get that shirt off and see if I was right about him. He had a traditionally square jaw, bright green-blue eyes, and full lips that looked very kissable. I wanted to tug that bottom lip with my teeth before I ran my tongue over it—I knew they would be warm and soft. He grinned at me when he caught me staring at him.

“What are you thinking about so intently?” His voice startled me, and I had to shift to adjust my arousal, which hadn’t subsided since I watched him walk in.

For some reason, I was tempted to tell him the truth, which seemed crazy. I still didn’t trust him; I might just be another conquest for him, and when he was done with me, I would be forgotten. Worse, he had an agenda, and my attraction to him was blinding me. “I’m just thinking about how nice this is. Thank you for inviting me. I haven’t done something like this in a very long time.”

“You don’t go out much?” He asked genuinely. This was my fault for opening that door.

“I go out sometimes. Jamie thinks I should socialize outside of work with someone other than Earl and Larry.”

“What’s wrong with Earl? He seems to be very invested in your happiness, or at least in his ability to let you love on him, which makes you happy. Well, he also seems invested in snacks.”

That made me chuckle. “Right? Apparently, because he doesn’t talk back, he doesn’t count. I don’t tell him the terrible things she says about him.”

There was a sparkle in his eyes as he continued. “Good thing, he probably wouldn’t appreciate it.” I nodded. “I think people can be perfectly content alone. We deal with people at work, that’s enough. I like to chill quietly when I’m home, mostly alone.” He sat quietly for a minute, but it felt like he was thinking about what he wanted to say. “Being with someone who wanted to cuddle and read or watch TV with me would be pretty cool.”

“That would be perfect.” It was like he was in my head, sitting with my person, reading my book was something I wanted. West smiled so big at me that my heart fluttered a little.

Irene walked over with a bag and three pie boxes. “Here you go, sexy, your pies and well more pies.” She winked at him as she put two bags next to West. When I saw her flirt, I realized my eyes had narrowed, and I felt the urge to snarl. Oh shit that was jealousy.

He pulled out a black credit card and handed it to her. Thank you for packing everything up. While we talked, I hadn’t made much of a dent in my own pies, but I had tasted all ten. Sitting here chatting and enjoying all the flavors had been wonderful, and I wanted to do more of it.

I pushed my plate back. “I am stuffed and couldn’t pick a favorite if I tried.”

Irene returned with his receipt. “Can you box up all our leftovers in a separate bag? Tyler here will be taking them home for him and his roommates.”

“Earl and Larry will appreciate that you consider them roommates, not just my pets.”

“You all seem close, so I wanted to show them proper respect.”

He had me grinning, and I giggled a little. The man was charming. I took in the Dapper Duck logo on his Western-style shirt. “You left work to take me out for pie?”

“I did. However, I am bringing my staff pie to thank them for covering for me.”

Damn. How could I not be impressed by that? “I’m not sure what to say.”

“You don’t need to say anything. It was my pleasure getting to spend time with you.”

“You’re serious, aren’t you?”

He considered my statement and looked at me strangely. “Yes. I had a wonderful time, and I would love to spend more time with you, but I am not going to push my luck.”

I laughed again. “You are something, West Parker.”

“Something good, I hope.”

“Yes. Something good. I should head home. Earl will be confused by my absence. I’m happy you asked me to join you for pie. I had a lot of fun.”

Irene returned with another bag and handed it to me. “It was a pleasure meeting you. I’ve never seen West smile so much, I hope this is the first of many times I see you.” She patted my shoulder and walked away.

Once outside, he asked, “Where did you park?”

I pointed to my beat-up old car.

“I’ll walk you to your car.” We headed over and stopped at the driver’s door. “Do you think I could give you a hug, Tyler?”

I swooned a little. Never had I been asked for something so simple. “Of course, I would like that.” He pulled me against him; he was larger than I, at least 6’2” and broad. I wasn’t a tiny man, but just under six feet and lean, it felt like I was being wrapped in a weighted blanket. It was nice and I felt like I fit against him perfectly.

“Thank you for joining me. I had a fantastic time.” He said against my head.

I didn’t want to stop hugging him, so I stepped back and looked up, but didn’t release him. “I’m glad you invited me.”

He hugged me again, it lasted longer than the first, but not so long that it was awkward. When he let me go, I opened my door and got in. “Can you let me know you got home safely. I will search for you if I don’t hear from you in thirty minutes.”

“You’re sweet. I’ll text you.” He closed my door and stood there and watched me pull out. I was pleased and kept thinking about how our hug felt so good. It felt like he wanted to spend time with me, but he didn’t ask me on a date again. Did he decide he no longer wanted to take me out after this get-together? That’s probably it. I knew he wouldn’t be interested in someone like me—too much baggage.

When I got home, I picked up Earl and took a selfie. Even if West were done with me, I wouldn’t cause him to worry.

TYLER

Made it home. Earl wants my pie

I attached the picture and headed to the bedroom. It was time for sleep. Once I was in bed, I felt Earl curl up on the pillow, and then Larry joined us, cuddling up with his friend. It had been about twenty minutes since I sent the text, and I hated that I was disappointed by his lack of response, especially since I had started to think he wasn’t like most guys. As I began to doze, my phone chirped.

WEST

Sorry for the delay. Had a situation to deal with.

I’m glad you got home safe. I had a great time on our non-date.

Will you consider going on a real date with me now?

My heart started to beat hard, and I cursed myself for thinking badly of him. I smiled in the dark.

TYLER

I’m still not sure.

But it’s not a NO. Good Night, West.

WEST

I’ll get you to give me a chance eventually.

Good night, Tyler. Sweet Dreams.

I knew I would have sweet dreams tonight because West seemed like a pretty special guy, and my thoughts about him earlier were still quite persistent. A date with West would be a lot of fun, I knew without a doubt.

Larry moved on to my chest and started making biscuits. “I should invite him over to meet you and see if you like him. Your brother already seems to.” Maybe I should give him a chance, since tonight was almost a date and it was fun. I rolled toward the empty side of my bed, which drove home how long it’d been since someone was on that side. I hadn’t been with anybody even briefly, and I didn’t mind being alone, but having West there would be amazing. I fell asleep thinking about all the ways I would enjoy having West as a friend, and maybe more.

When I got up, I was in a good mood, and pie for breakfast sounded like a perfect way to start the day. Without looking through the choices, I blindly grabbed one, finding cherry pie in the container. I ate the pastry while I thought about all the different pies we had last night and how he gave me a bite of each of his. We had a good time.

I went to make a cup of coffee, turning around, Earl had helped himself to some of the pie. “Earl, for fucks sake.” He looked at me, blinking slowly, his face covered with cherry filling. Between his face and the spots on his chest, he looked like he had murdered someone. “Come here.” I picked him up and took him to the sink, where I cleaned him off. “You like your sweets a little too much, my sweet child.”

I kissed his head and placed him on the counter. Larry jumped up and started to meow loudly like he was starving. “You’ll get your food when I get home.” I walked over and shook his dry food bowl to remind him that he did have food. I would swear the cat had huffed, but then went over and took a few bites.

TYLER

Cherry pie for breakfast.

Maybe we should do it again sometime.

It was only 8:30 a.m., I knew the bar closed late, so he would probably be asleep, but the messages would be there when he started his day, making me feel fluttery in my chest.

Jamie pulled into the parking spot next to me at the shop as I got out of my car. “Good morning,” I called over the roof of my car.

“Good morning. Did I see your car at Hash House last evening?” Jamie pulled no punches, clearly jumping right into it. I knew I blushed.

“Yeah, I was there.” I desperately hoped that she didn’t say anything further.

“The pie there is to die for.” She said with a snort.

All the flavors West and I shared last night came to mind, but what struck me was his smile and his laugh. I had also noticed the way his lips wrapped around the fork, and needless to say, all of my body was interested.

“It really is. I only tried ten flavors, but I guess there are another twenty every night.” As I finished the sentence, her eyebrows raised to her hairline, and she walked toward the front door.

“Oh, Tyler, we have so much to talk about,” she said as we entered. Well, so much for keeping my non-date secret.