Like Father, Like Son - Jayda Marx Page 0,1

I guess I didn't read the instructions very well; sorry about that.

"Oh my god, he's adorable," Lee butted in. "If you don't want to date him, I've got three other single gay friends who will."

"Can you give me like five minutes to talk to him before you give him away?" Before he could argue, another message came through.

Ezra: Let's see…I'm twenty one and I just moved to the city a few months ago from a small rural town. I work at the front desk of a hotel. I'm actually on my lunch break right now.

Theo: I'm twenty seven and I'm at work too. In case you didn't see my info, I work in sales at an office downtown.

Lee made an exaggerated yawning sound and I gave him the stink eye. "What? You're boring me."

"If I'm so boring, you could leave."

"You're hilarious," he replied dryly. "Now ask him out already!"

I took a deep breath and typed again.

Theo: Would you like to go out with me this evening?

"Oh my god, you sound so pushy."

I threw my arms up at Lee's words. "You told me to ask him out!"

"Yeah, but not for tonight!" I rubbed my temples in frustration, but then whipped my eyes back to the screen when another ping sounded.

Ezra: That sounds really nice. Where should we meet?

I turned to my friend for help, and he pressed his hand to his chest. "Oh, now you want my advice?"

"For the love of god, Lee…"

"Okay, okay, jeez. Let's see; he's young and new in town, so he's probably looking for some excitement. Ooh, I know; there's this dance club called Echo on Vine Street. Take him there."

I wasn't typically a club guy, but Ezra was younger than me and I wanted him to have fun, so I ran with the suggestion.

Theo: We can meet at Echo tonight at...9? Does that sound good?

Ezra: I'm looking forward to it.

Theo: Me too. I'll meet you outside at 9. Have a good day.

Ezra: You too.

The chat box disappeared and Lee cheered, "You've got a date!"

"I've got a date!" And with an absolutely beautiful young man at that. I slapped five to Lee's outstretched hand just before my work phone rang and the boss's number came across the display.

Lee pressed the speakerphone button and answered, "Hello, Daddy-O." That was one of his favorite jokes, seeing as our boss was in fact my father.

Dad sighed on the other end of the line. “Lee, why am I not surprised that you’re away from your desk?”

“Because you know me so well,” Lee responded in an icky-sweet voice, and Dad sighed again. “Actually, I was just talking to your son about his big news.” I threw my hands up in the air again in frustration over Lee telling my father everything he knew, and my friend just stifled his laughter with his hand over his mouth.

“I’d love to hear your news, Teddy.” That had been my father’s name for me since I was young. Actually, everyone called me Teddy (short for Theodore) until I reached my teenage years and decided that Theo sounded much cooler. But Dad never changed his nickname, and I didn’t mind. “Come on back to my office whenever you have a minute.”

“I’ll be there soon.” I pressed the button to end the call and gave Lee another glare as he laughed. “Was that necessary?”

“No, but it was fun. Now listen; I’ve got some advice for you about your date tonight. We both know you need it.”

“I’m not that bad,” I argued. “Granted, I haven’t been on a date in months and I haven’t had a boyfriend in the whole three years that I’ve known you and…” I stopped talking when I realized how depressing it all sounded. “Okay, give me the advice.”

“Right. So like we’ve already established, Ezra is younger than you, and he’s smoking hot.”

“I’m going to tell Dave you said that,” I threatened, but Lee just shrugged.

“He’d agree with me.” At my wide eyes he added, “What? We’re married, not buried. Anyway, rules are different for young guys. They don't want to be tied down or to feel suffocated. A guy as pretty as Ezra is going to have lots of options, so-”

“Hey, I’m pretty,” I butted in, and Lee gave me a pouty lip.

“Aw, honey.” I scoffed and he added, “You’re cute, but Ezra is like...do you remember those cartoons where the wolf’s eyes bug out and he goes a-woo-ga?” He telescoped his hands out in front of his eyes for effect.

“Okay, I got it;