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“His older twin sisters Felicia and Leticia both got pregnant with twins within a couple months of each other, and they already had three older kids each.His older brother has two.Plus, Danny has two kids with his husband, which gives James seven nieces and seven nephews.Even if we never get to foster, that playset will get used.”

“Sounds like it.”

“And probably more to come.Gracie, my dear husband’s beloved sister, is dating my old nephrologist—and the two women swear they’re not having kids, but I’m not taking bets.The whole family would be behind them.Man, this family I married into?Fierce.”He tapped his wedding ring.“Taking their name was a blessing I’ll never take for granted.”He chuckled.“If my family could see me now.”

“Uh…”

“Bigoted homophobic bastards.”

“Oh, right.Then you’re better off without them.”At least I assumed that was what he meant.“I’m so damn lucky.”

“You are.I’ve met your parents, your sister, her husband, your…” He scrunched his nose.“Nibblets.”

I patted him on the shoulder.“Thank you for that.Raphael can be adamant.”

“Kid has a right to be.They should be accepted for whomever they choose to be.I sorely wish I’d had the courage to come out earlier.But if I had, I wouldn’t have gone through everything I did to wind up here, and since I’m the happiest I’ve ever been, I just say hallelujah and move on.No dwelling.That’s what I tried to convey to Phillip.He was in a bad place before.I could relate to that.But I told him Gaynor Beach could be a fresh start for him—like the place was for me.That he could begin anew.Clean slate.”

“Yeah.”I held myself still.Waiting to see if more was forthcoming.

“That guy has had it so rough for so long.”Colin scratched his golden-red stubbled chin.“And I just wanted to wrap him up.I mean, I gave him a hug to try to assure him that he wasn’t alone.”He blew out a breath.“And then, after I thought maybe we’d made a bit of progress—of him trusting me—we came home to the fire.”

“Yeah.That was bad.”

“Yep.But he and Wally could’ve been there, which would’ve been way worse.So, like, everything happens for a reason.James contacted a builder to see what our options are.He really likes the idea of continuing to rent below market rate to people who need help to get back on their feet.Now he’s putting together plans to rebuild bigger, and the lot size works.Which means he could help larger families.”

I blinked.Good to know that I’d continue to have neighbors who could use a hand.I didn’t mind that at all.“I’m so glad Phillip and Wally weren’t there.”

“Right.And they totally could’ve come home with us the night of the fire.We’ve got that awesome basement suite and everything.”

“Yeah…”

“But he chose you.”Colin pointed.“Over and over again, it’s you he’s drawn to.When we were in LA, picking up his stuff?He talked about you.This morning?When he and James were getting ready for the drive to San Clemente?You.”He scratched Widget behind the ears.“Good girl.”

I did the same for Wally, who was gently licking Widget’s face.Uh…ick…?

Neither dog appeared the least bit perturbed.

“And I ask myself, what is it about you?”

I held myself still.

Colin cocked his head.“I don’t know you all that well.But you’re the kind next-door neighbor always willing to help.”

“Right…” I drew the word out.

“And, I don’t know, I feel sort of protective of Phillip.God knows, he doesn’t need my protection except…”

He’s going to kill me with this drawn-out shit.“Just say it, Colin.Whatever you’re thinking, just say it.”

“Okay, I will.I think you’d be good together.I don’t know what obstacles you’d face, but I can see how much he cares about you.And how you clearly feel the same.Unless I’m wrong?—”

“You’re not.”

“Yeah, I figured that.”He scratched his nose.“The guy has no one in the world, Jeremy.You probably know that, but he confided in me, and maybe I shouldn’t be telling you.But I feel like I made a connection and now, between the LA trip and the fire… I’d love to be, I don’t know, the big brother he never had.The one who watches out for him.But he hasn’t asked me to do that.Might even reject me if I made the offer.”

“He’d think he wasn’t worthy of it.”I hated to say that, but in my heart I saw the truth of it.

Slowly, he nodded.“Yeah, he’s got so many self-esteem issues.”