Page 13 of Their Little House Boston (Five Little Roommates #3)

Elliot

I kept the business card on my nightstand that night and tucked it into my pocket—kept it with me for a day or so while life was busy and work made me almost forget about it.

Almost.

Tripp had been so loving and thoughtful. He was patient with Boston. Never pushy in the least. He watched over us as we painted and put together the puzzle.

If he noticed the attraction I felt to Boston, he didn’t say so. Even when we wanted to make a glitter frame, he didn’t bat an eye. Some daddies didn’t like glitter. It was a mess at times but sooo much fun.

Boston didn’t say a word about calling the daddy, but I wanted to.

By the second day, the card was burning a hole in my pocket, begging me to pay attention.

While on my lunch hour, which was six at night since I was working the afternoon shift, I went outside to the reading garden and called the number.

The place was usually busy during the day.

Kids reading and soaking up the sun. Moms and dads letting their babies get some sun and a bit of quiet.

Friends having coffee while discussing their favorite new reads amongst the seasonal flowers.

“Hello?” Tripp’s voice instantly made my body shudder in the best way.

“Hello, this is Elliot. I don’t know if you remember me? From Chained.”

His chuckle wrapped around my torso, warming me. “Of course, I remember you, Elliot. I’m so glad you called.”

“I’m at work. On my lunch break.”

“Hmm. Where do you work? I hear some car sounds but also a few birds.”

My turn to laugh. “I am a librarian. I’m outside in the reading garden, hence the birds, but also, we are near a busy intersection.”

“A librarian. That sounds like an interesting job.”

We talked for a while about my job, and he asked me if I was having something decent to eat on my break.

“Leftover bowtie pasta. Sometimes, at the house, we make big meals, and everyone can have a portion or as much as they want.”

“That’s good to hear.” I heard him click something like a remote. Perhaps he was turning the TV off so he could hear me better. “I hope to get to know you and Boston better.”

“I want to get to know you, too. Where do you work?” A dog barked in the background.

“Hold on, please, Elliot. I have a package. One second. Please don’t hang up.”

While I was on hold, I took a few bites of food, but I was way more interested in talking than eating.

Tripp came back on the phone. “Sorry about that.”

“You have a dog?”

“I do. Her name is Juno. I adopted her from a shelter.”

“Is she big?” I asked.

“She is. Do you like dogs?”

For a few minutes, we talked about dogs. He told me he owned an insurance agency, giving him some freedom to make his own work hours, although they were often long anyway.

“You and Boston are friends?” Tripp asked. I was wondering if he noticed the budding care between us. Maybe he did.

“We are.”

“But you and he are more than friends, right?”

Were we? “I don’t know.”

“I can see you like him. It’s sweet the way you two look at each other. Speak to one another.”

“I like him a lot, but…”

“And I like both of you, but I think you two should figure out how you feel about each other before anything else.”

“Anything else?”

He chuckled again. The sound did things to me.

I checked my watch. Shoot. My lunch was almost over.

“I would love to take you and Boston on a date, Elliot.”

“I would like that too.”

“How about you and Boston figure out where you are and then call me.”

“I would really like to go on a date with you but also with him. This is confusing.”

“It’s okay. Take your time. I’m a patient man. Call me when you can, even if nothing is decided. Your voice is soothing to me, sweet one.”

His calmed me. Also, his presence. His kindness and the umbrella of security he gave Boston made him all that more attractive.

“Okay. Goodbye, Tripp.”

“Good night, Elliot.”

I hung up more bewildered than ever. I wanted a daddy like Tripp, but I also had an undeniable tether to Boston. He and I really needed to have a talk.

I kept myself busy for the rest of the night, trying and failing to keep my mind off my predicament. Nothing worked. I didn’t even take my break. I was a bit hungry, but my nerves were getting the best of me and taking most of that away.

When I got back to the house, I made a beeline for Boston’s room. There was a chance he was fast asleep, but I knocked anyway.

He wasn’t asleep. “Hey, can we talk?”