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“Okay.”

“Cheesecake.” Lindsay placed the plate before me as well as boxes for the men.

“Thank you. This looks amazing.” I was always grateful for whomever served me.

“My pleasure.” She surveyed the table, clearly gauging our drink levels.

“I’ll take a refill.” Noel grinned. “Thanks.”

“Cola, right?”

He nodded.

She took the empty glass and headed back toward the kitchen.

I poised my fork over the dessert.

“You go ahead.” Aaron linked hands with Noel. “We weren’t certain about becoming parents. I’m no spring chicken.”

I figured the guy was a year or two older than me, but I held my tongue about what a load of bullshit that was.

“With Kendra being pregnant, though, we’ve had a rethink.” He nudged Noel. “We’ll be named guardians should anything happen to Javier and Kendra. Of course, we never want that to transpire. We’re hoping they have happy and fruitful lives.”

“But it got us thinking.” Noel held my gaze. “What about kids who need a home? I know the government tries to keep families together, but things happen. And what about the kids who don’t have anyone? We could offer them a place.”

“We’re not picky about age.” Aaron met Noel’s gaze before turning his attention back to me. “Like, how about teenagers whose parents kick them out for whatever reason—”

“Being gay.” I forked another piece of cheesecake.

“—beinggay.” He smiled, but his eyes held sorrow. “Or if there are younger kids, we’d be happy to take them as well. We’d prefer to think long-term, but if kids just need a safe place for a short period of time, and we can offer that, why would we not?”

“We’ve got a couple of spare bedrooms.” Noel shrugged. “We’ve considered making them more kid-friendly.”

“You two sound like you’ve got your act together.” I mixed some chocolate sauce with the crust. “There’s no manual. I mean you can read a million blog posts and books and all that crap. But when you’ve got a kid who’s hurting, your instinct is to fix it. Sometimes you can do that, and sometimes it’s not possible. I love that you’re open to taking in any kid who needs help. That’s a tough thing—especially when you know they’re not going to stay. I thought—” I swallowed the lump in my throat. “—when Erlene recovered, I thought she might ask me to leave. She didn’t, though. Even though we married because she was sick, we were committed to each other. To the kids. And that was that.”

Aaron nodded. “You’re a good man.”

“I did what needed to be done. Zero regrets. I didn’t grow up assuming I was going to be a father. What with Mom getting sick—and then Nan—I had enough to deal with. Getting my sisters settled in life was my priority. Once that happened, I was open to what might come next. Erlene came next and there’s nothing I would’ve done differently. Now I just need to focus on the kids and what they want. What they need.”

Noel cocked his head. “What about you?”

“What about me?” I frowned.

“It’s just…I get about putting the kids first. But you’re still a person. Don’t you want to remarry?”

I blinked. “Let me get the kids through university, and then I’ll think about it.”

Even as I repeated the words I said to anyone who asked about my personal life, the image of Jai flashed in my mind. He might be someone who could change my mind. But I had no idea if he’d want more than a Daddy/pup relationship. Hell, I didn’t even know if he was in a relationship right now.Huh. Maybe you should have figured that outbeforeleaving him the treats?

Oops.

“Maybe Mission City could be a fresh start for you as well.” Aaron eyed me. “I’m certain we could find a nice woman to set you up with.”

“Or a man.” I shoved the last of the cheesecake into my mouth.

“Bi?” Noel’s curiosity was clearly piqued as he raised an eyebrow.

Mouth full, I merely nodded.