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Even though Dom wasn’t the touchy-feely type of person, unless it was with his Daddy, he wrapped his arms around Lake’s waist. “It’s okay. We’ve got you. We love you.”

Lake kissed the top of Dom’s dark hair. He needed to color it again but since his transplant surgery, Dom hadn’t been doing much. Dom blamed Remi for being overprotective but truthfully, they would all worry until Dom hit the six-week mark.

At six weeks after a transplant, if Dom’s body hadn’t started to reject the organ, there was an over ninety-percent chance that a rejection wouldn’t happen. Even with good reports from his weekly checkups and Dom swearing that he felt fine, they all were holding their breath for two more weeks.

“You know I love you too.” Lake made sure to tell his friend that often. He didn’t want to have any more regrets than he already did.

“I know.” Dom pulled away. “I am the most awesome person you know. And I came to tell you that dinner was ready.”

Lake’s stomach rumbled. He was a big guy and loved food. “What are we having for dinner?”

“Oh!” Dom gave a little wiggle. “I know this! I practiced.” He took a deep breath. “On tonight’s menu is a caramelized tofuwith a soy-braised eggplant dish. Ha! Nailed it! And Remi said I would forget.”

Emotions hit him hard again. All he’d asked his mom to do was not force meat on him, but she refused. “You don’t have to change your diet because I—”

Dom smacked Lake’s stomach. “Are you kidding me? Remi loves making new dishes and has taken this on as a challenge.”

“But you—” Lake tried to argue.

“Can get my fix of junk at work or anytime I want. No one is doing without, and my doctors are loving what this change is doing for my numbers.”

“I’m happy to hear that,” Lake said. He didn’t want to force his lifestyle on anyone else, but Remi and Dom insisted on including him in everything.

“Remi might have let me be his taste tester and I swear I’ve never had something so good. I’m not complaining about this change to our diet.”

Lake was relieved. “Thanks, Dom.”

Dom grabbed his hand. “So, let’s eat. I hate when you go to work without dinner.”

“I haven’t done that since I moved in here,” Lake promised.

“I know!” Dom replied happily. “Do you want me to help you with your makeup tonight?”

Lake hesitated. Makeup was newer for him, but he absolutely loved getting dolled up. Since moving in, Dom kept offering to help him but Lake had always kept makeup to private little time.

“Remember you can say no. Only do what you’re comfortable with,” Dom said as the reached the hall.

“I want to,” Lake confessed. “I do. I’m just—”

“Scared,” Dom said. He squeezed Lake’s fingers tight. “What if Remi and I came to the club for a little bit? Hell, I think Brandon is off tonight, so I’ll see who else wants to come.”

“Really?” Lake loved when his friends came to the club. He could take his breaks and play with them in the little room.

“Daddy!” Dom hollered.

“Walk in here like a grown man and talk to me instead of shouting like a toddler,” Remi called.

“But I’m not a grown man! I’m your baby!” Dom shouted.

Remi stepped into the kitchen doorway, wiping his hands on a towel. “Do you need to spend some time in the ropes?”

Dom shuddered as he nodded. “But first can we go to the club tonight on Lake’s break?”

Remi glanced at him.

Lake’s immediate reaction was wanting to hide. He hated any attention on him, which was difficult to avoid when he was six foot four and two hundred and eighty pounds.

“I think that’s a great idea,” Remi said with a smile. “I know my boy is getting antsy being in the house.”