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“We’ll take very good care of him, I promise.” Cody beckoned Grey over. “This is Grey, and he’ll be your counselor. He’s around to make sure you have everything you need.”

Grey stuck out his hand. “I was a camper a few years ago, so I know what it’s like. Only I had to go to Ontario to find a camp for kids like myself. It’s great we now have one so close to home. Where is your home? Do you want to follow me?”

“Vancouver.” Keegan hesitated. “Uh, can I say goodbye to my dad?”

“Of course. We’ll be over here. Oh, someone else is arriving.” Grey waved to the incoming Mazda in need of a new muffler.

So I didn’t hear whatever Keegan’s stepfather said to him, but I did witness a hug so fierce that I had to blink back tears. Pride Camp was meant to be a place of acceptance and, hopefully, healing. Keegan was clearly in need of both. His dad had signed him up, alluding to ongoing bullying andother issuesat school.

I’d sought elaboration from the school, but had hit a brick wall. Even with the stepfather’s permission, the school stuck to the privacy policy. Deep in my gut, I believed they were protecting the privacy of the bullies. Quite often, that happened. Certainly more often than I’d like. More than was safe for the LGBTQ kids.

Keegan finally let go, grabbed his knapsack and suitcase, and followed Grey toward the boys’ cabin.

Makenna was there to greet Luli, a petite Asian girl who was struggling as well. She also came from Vancouver. That said, we had several kids local to Mission City and Abbotsford who were slated to attend.

Cody hung back, clearly waiting for Makenna to make the introductions.

I’d planned to get into the mix, but I didn’t want to overwhelm the kids. Better that I be off to the side, but available if needed.

Keegan’s stepfather finally pulled his gaze from his retreating son’s figure and pivoted his attention to me.

He blinked.

So did I. I’d glimpsed him upon their arrival, but had been more focused on Keegan. Now, though? I took a moment to catalogue the man. Tall. Well over my own five-eight. Broad. Barrel chested. Defined biceps under his T-shirt. Lean waist and thick thighs in straining khaki. His black hair curled, although it wasn’t as long as my own. His dark skin glinted in the bright sunshine, and his dark-brown eyes mesmerized me. He was…stunning.

He cocked his head.

I stepped forward, extending my hand. “Jai Prasad. I’m the camp director.”

“Demetrius Fulton.” He grinned. “Your picture wasn’t on the website.”

“Oh.” Of course, Alessandra's and Smith’s photos weren’t on the site either, and they were far more important. As I thought about it, though, mine probably should’ve been. We had a chef and an assistant in the kitchen. We also had a jack-of-all-trades guy who did the maintenance, as well as any cleaning that might be necessary. Everyone here had passed background checks. I’d hired each person myself, making sure we were all on the same page—which I believed we were. Their photos were all up.

“Uh, no picture. I’m not important around here. I’m very much in the background.”And I don’t want it easy for my family to know I’m here.

He frowned, even as he shook my hand. “That’s absolutely not true. Alessandra sang your praises.”

I cocked my head, weirdly disconcerted by how his grip was firm, but didn’t overwhelm.

Finally, he released my hand. Then he smiled a little ruefully. “It’s a very long story, but Alessandra runs an employee-assistance company. I called looking for counseling for both Keegan and myself after…” His voice trailed off. “I spoke to Hamish, a psychologist at the company. He mentioned this place was opening up and had Alessandra call me to see if Keegan might be a good fit.”

Don’t feel left out. You don’t need to be consulted on everything.Or so I told myself. I thought I’d been brought up to speed on everything that had happened before I arrived, but clearly I’d missed something. Might not be important, but I filed it away as something to remember should the topic come up again. “Alessandra is amazing. She hired me.”

“She said, when I spoke to her, that she had found just the right person. I’d say she found that person with you.”

You don’t even know me…“Thank you. I hope so. I do much of the administrative work, but I’m obviously here for the kids, should they need something. I’m also responsible for conveying any progress reports. Given the camp is only two weeks, I don’t foresee there being many.”

“Ah, sure.” Demetrius glanced over his shoulder. “My kid’s got…issues. I’m hoping Grey and Cody can cope—but I’m relieved to know you’ll be here as well.” He held my gaze.

“We’re here to help kids with issues. Or without. I can’t give private information, but I can say we have a wide and diverse group of campers. We’re keeping it small this year as we find our footing, and we wanted a low camper-to-counselor ratio.”Which is way more than he needs to know and is all on the website. The website he clearly read.“Well, you have my number. If you want to check in, don’t hesitate to use it.”

He grinned. “I won’t. I look forward to seeing you again, Jai.”

“That’s great.” Something about his smile sank deep inside me. I felt warm and fuzzy—and that never happened. I’d done romance once. Just once. Complete disaster. Never going there again.

And certainly not with the father of a camper.

What the hell are you thinking? Just because you find him attractive and he clearly loves his son…So much more than Ievergot from my parents.