Page 43

“Anchovies?” Jai scrunched his face.

“Yeah. Gross.” I reached across to snag his hand, only pulling back at the last minute. “I was teasing about pineapple on pizza. Keegan feels the way you do. It’s a friendly war between my kids and in the end, we usually wind up ordering two pies. Mine with, his without, and Alaina eating all the slices she can.”

“That sounds…lovely.” No missing the wistfulness in his voice.

“They also fight like cats and dogs. What with one being thirteen and one being a very mature eleven. I remember grade eight being the worst time of my school life, and Keegan’s counselor confirmed eighth graders are the worst human beings on the planet.”

“I can think of worse…” His eyes radiated sorrow.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I…” I had no words because I didn’t know what had triggered him.

He waved me off. “Long story. Not why we’re here tonight.”

“Well, that’s not true. I’m here to listen to whatever story you wish to tell. I want to get to know you. If I move to Mission City, you’ll be my first official friend.”

He cleared his throat. “I think Arnav and Foster—”

I shook my head. “You were the very first person I met. So if we become official friends, then you’re number one. You’ll always be number one.”God, please don’t let that freak him out. He was still so skittish—as his reaction to me this morning proved.Maybe thatwas because you asked him out…?And I still hadn’t told him that I knew him from before. I hadn’t ventured into that territory, since he clearly didn’t recognize me.

“That’s a really nice thing to say.” Color slowly crept into his cheeks. “I still think Arnav and Foster should take that spot—you got invited to their house after one lunch.”

I shrugged. “And I had dinner with Aaron and Noel last night. You might know Noel Barker. He’s about your age. Or maybe a couple of years older. Great guy. Wound up following his sister to a small town in the States and falling in love with the innkeeper. Then he came back to Mission City, and the innkeeper basically followed him because he loves him too.”

He blinked. “Just like that?”

“Yep. And now they’re thinking about fostering, and they wanted to talk to me about what it’s like to raise kids who are from your heart and not your blood.”

“You’re doing a great job.”

I rubbed the back of my neck. “I don’t always feel like it. I didn’t realize how bad things had gotten for Keegan. I mean, he wants to move a hundred klicks just to get away from the bullies.”

“He’s met people who support him. He looks at Parvan, Paisley, Luli, and the others and thinksthat would be nice.”

“Is it?”

“Nice?”

I nodded.

He appeared to consider. “I think Arnav and I would see things differently when it comes to our experiences growing up in Mission City.”

“How?”

“Well, he was out almost from the day he understood what that meant. Like, twelve or so. His family embraced and loved him. His mama lamented she wouldn’t have grandkids from him, but by then several of his sisters were married or close to. God, he’s got so many nibblets.”

“And Parvan isn’t even one of theofficialones.”

“True. But it’s just like Arnav to take the kid under his wing. Being queer is tough. Being queer and Indian is doubly so.” He eyed me.

“Same with being Black.”

“Right. So I didn’t come out. I just went along to get along, and only when I went to the University of British Columbia, and lived on campus, did I start experimenting. But nothing serious. Not until…” His eyes flashed pain.

“Greek platter for two.” Timothea started laying out the plates of various dishes. The aroma wafted over me, and I grinned.

Jai didn’t.

Fucking hell. Whoevernot untilis, I want to kill the fucker.