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“You’re a dad?” Arnav grinned. “That’s amazing. We’ve registered to become foster parents and are waiting. I mean, you never hope a kid needs a place to live—but we’ve got one in case they do.”

“Big house with a dog and a backyard.” Foster said the words almost as if he felt he had to convince me.

“I love my kids.”

“Are they with you? I mean, nothereobviously.” Foster winced.

I smiled. “Alaina’s doing some hiking over on Vancouver Island.” I considered my next words carefully. “My son, Keegan, is attending Pride Camp.”

“How old?” Arnav scratched his nose.

“Thirteen.”

“Rough age. No matter what.”

“I know. And I thought kids were…more accepting. Unfortunately, Keegan’s been picked on by a group of older kids—”

“Bullies?” Arnav held my gaze with concerned dark-brown eyes.

“Yeah.”

“Ouch.”

“Right? So I’ve considered pulling him out of that school and sending him somewhere else. Or even picking up stakes and leaving. The neighborhood isn’t the best, and maybe a fresh start…” I contemplated my drink. “But does that give him the message that it’s okay to run away from your problems?”

“Sometimes it is.” Foster spoke quietly.

I met his gaze.

“I don’t tend to tell folks this often. But something tells me you might need to hear it. I was in an emotionally abusive relationship for almost ten years. Maybe if someone had taught me that it’s okay to walk away, I might have. I had a rough childhood, and I thought I’d found someone to take care of me. That ended disastrously, and I didn’t think I’d ever pick up the pieces.” He reached for Arnav’s hand. “Yet, I did. And, eventually, I met this handsome man.”

Arnavchuckled.

“I gave love another shot. Put my heart on the line. That wasn’t easy.”

“So you’re saying it’s okay for us to try something new?” I considered his words. And how hard it must’ve been for him to be honest with me.

“I’m saying that although the unknown can be scary—especially for a kid—staying where you’re miserable and being bullied isn’t an answer either.”

“Thanks. We’ll see how things work out at Pride Camp. They’ve got such an amazing staff. Cody, Grey, Makenna, and Jai—”

“Jai?” Arnav perked.

“Got your food.” Sarabeth arrived with a tray of the most heavenly smelling grub.

We thanked her profusely before she headed away.

I sipped my milkshake, waiting for my burger to cool just a smidge.

“Jai, you say?” Arnav clearly was picking up where we left off. He poked his French toast with a fork and then dumped a lake of syrup on it.

“Yes. Do you know him?”

“Well, my friend from childhood was Jai Prasad. He moved away years ago. I hadn’t heard he was back. We lost touch…” He snagged a piece of bacon. “So even if it’s not the same guy, I should really find my Jai and touch base with him.” He bit into the bacon.

I poured some ketchup on my plate and dunked a fry. What were the odds the name was identical? “About thirty? Slender? Kind of looks like you?” Because that wasn’t rude…right?

Arnav laughed. “Yeah, lots of Indian guys named Jai. He was shorter than me, but that doesn’t mean anything. Plenty of young men get taller. He did head off to UBC. He was, I think, doing a business degree. I studied law.” He contemplated his bacon. “He was my frienddespite the fact I was out and proud. Not a lot of kids were back then. Seventeen years is a long time and yeah, I’d hoped things were changing. I’m sorry your son is going through that.”