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“Taffy, this is…?”

“Keegan.” He also crouched. “Hello Taffy.”

The woman guided the dog over. “She’s my beast. Whom I adore,” she quickly added.

I grinned as I met Foster’s gaze.

Taffy made her way over to Keegan.

“You’re so pretty.”

The dog cocked her head.

Keegan held out his hand.

Clearly, despite the fact their condo didn’t allow any pets, the kids had learned how to approach strange dogs.

Once Keegan was petting Taffy, the woman stood and offered her hand to me. “Stephanie.”

“Jai.”

We shook.

“Jai went to school with Arnav.” Foster grinned. “He’s recently come back into my husband’s life, and he’s tickled. Oh, Arnav is.” Clearly he felt clarification was necessary.

“I’m tickled as well. It’s nice to reconnect with good parts of my past.”

“So you’re from Mission City?” Stephanie smiled, her bright-blue eyes shining. “I am as well. Oh, and my brother Cooper. We were well behind Arnav in school, though.”

“Hey, babe… Oh.” A lovely redheaded woman stepped from the kitchen. She wiped her hands on her jeans and pointed to herself. “Taryn.”

“My wife.” Stephanie grinned.

I cocked my head. “You were on your honeymoon at the beginning of the month. That’s when I met Taffy.”

The dog woofed.

Both women laughed. “Uh, yes.” Taryn smiled. “My girl doesn’t always love strangers, but she seems good with your two.”

Before I could correct the assumption, Foster met my gaze. “Maybe you should introduce them?”

I laughed. A little awkwardly. “Yes. These are Demetrius’s son and daughter—Keegan and Alaina.”

Neither child looked up—both were clearly enthralled with the dogs.

Stephanie turned to Taryn. “Did you need something?”

“I was just going to head next door to grab the marinade. I completely forgot it.”

“I can go.” Stephanie gestured to the door.

Taryn shook her head. “You have fun with the pooches. I’ll be right back.” Carefully, she slipped past everyone and out the front door.

Neither dog attempted to follow her.

I apologized, “We’re interrupting—” Obviously some kind of meal.

“Not at all.” Stephanie glanced at Foster. “Sorry, it’s your house. I shouldn’t just be making myself at home.”