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Slowly, he nodded. “That about fits with what Keegan said. He wanted to spend as much time as he could around people like himself. So he could learn what they were doing that worked. He also said your staff was amazing—which I’d already pretty much figured out.”

I tore the lettuce into pieces. “The anonymous surveys from both parents and campers came back with encouraging words. A few really good suggestions as well. Stuff we can implement before the next camp.”

“That’s great.” He put the first plate in the microwave. “Do you have two chopping blocks? I’m awesome with tomatoes.”

“Fantastic, I’m good at peeling carrots.” I handed him the tomato and a knife.

We washed our vegetables and then set about fixing them. He cut the tomatoes into chunks while, after I removed the top layer, I then peeled the carrot—planning to add the peels to the top of the salad. Since he finished first, he tackled the green pepper while I swapped out the lasagna and heated the garlic toast in my mini oven.

Within about fifteen minutes we had piping-hot lasagna, toasty garlic bread, and a fresh salad.

Demetrius assured me he was a fan of vinaigrette dressing, so all was perfect. He grinned after the first bite of lasagna. “Alliedidn’t lie.”

I laughed. “No, she did not. If you text to check on the kids, maybe compliment Smith? This is amazing.”

“It is. I still can’t believe they offered to watch the kids for the night.”

“I would’ve come into Vancouver if that was the only way to see you again.”

He licked his lips. “I might’ve had to ask. The kids are okay for a few hours, but I don’t want to leave them overnight.” He held my gaze. “We’ve decided to move to Mission City.”

My heart kicked into overdrive. “Oh?”

“Yeah. I would say it was two-against-one, but my heart wasn’t in it. After two weeks in town, even though I was staying in the hotel, I could admit I saw us living here. It’ll be an adjustment. For all of us. I’ve barely left Vancouver over the years. Born and raised. Then raised my sisters and now my kids. East Van is all I’ve ever known. And I haven’t traveled much—not like you.”

“Toronto and Nova Scotia are hardly traveling.”

“You’ve never been anywhere but Canada?”

His question startled me. “Well, sure. Texas and New York for business. With the family to India every couple of years. Although my grandparents immigrated to Canada fifty years ago, my family still has strong ties to the old country. Obviously I haven’t gone in about eight years. My last visit was the summer before my third year at university.”

“Would you go back?”

I blinked. “As a tourist?”

“Well, yeah. Say if you had a couple of teenagers interested in getting outside of Vancouver…?”

“Uh, sure. I doubt I’d see my family. I mean, maybe my parents didn’t tell them about me…but I haven’t done anything to keep in contact with them. I sort of assumed everything had been severed.”

“If going back would be too painful—”

“It’s not that.” I shook my head. “Until I took this job, I didn’t have the resources to pay for a trip. To visit a country I’ve been to almost a dozen times and family members who might reject me.” I looked away. To the sliding glass doors at the back of the cabin that led to a little private outdoor space that was away from the campers and prying eyes. “We should’ve eaten outside.”

“And get eaten ourselves by bugs?”

“I have stuff for that.” I directed my gaze back to him. “If you want to take Keegan and Alaina to India, I think that’s a great idea.”

“I’m getting ahead of myself.” He laid his fork by his plate. “I’m trying to discover more about you.”

“Just ask, Demetrius. Despite the fact I hold myself apart—for reasons we both know—I’m actually pretty honest about my life.”

“Okay.” He picked up his fork and poked at the last bite of lasagna. “Did you ever play again? After your last visit to What’sUp Pup?”

I speared a piece of lettuce with my fork. “That’s a loaded question. The simple—and obvious—answer is no. Gary threw away all my equipment, costumes, and toys. Everything was gone when I packed up my things. Well, I assume he threw them out.” I eyed the lettuce. “I went to the Mission City Library and finally did an incognito internet search for him. Turns out he’s in jail for embezzlement. Millions of dollars. I was like…” I flailed my arm around. “I’ve only been gone six years. Fraud usually takes a long time to discover and investigate. Unless the fraudster is stupid and gets caught easily.”

“Well, you probably have your answer.” He swirled some cheese onto his fork. “So, no regrets?” He offered me a devious smile.

“I did the search before we went to Stavros’s. I thought he might’ve been the one to leave the dog treats—that he somehow knew I was back and was taunting me.”