Page 23 of Puppy Pride (Pride Camp 2025)

Chapter Twenty-Two

Demetrius

“ Y es, I’m certain I want you to come with me.” I scraped the bit of crust I hadn’t eaten into Jai’s compost container. “I’m meeting Cadence Crawford at the first house in forty minutes. Enough time to grab a Starbucks coffee.”

He arched an eyebrow. “You’ve had two cups already.”

I shrugged. “I want a caramel macchiato.”

“Ah.”

“And we can get you a black coffee at Starbucks or Timmie’s. But only if we head out now.”

He eyed me dubiously.

“I mean, unless you have something else to do. I’m being kind of presumptuous—just assuming you can drop everything and come with me.”

“First, it’s Saturday, and I don’t have any campers. Even I get a day off.”

“Okay.” I waited .

“Secondly, of course I want to come with you. But this is a family thing.”

“Right. We’ll narrow it down to two or three and then talk to the kids. The thing is…I don’t know Mission City.”

“Cadence does. I realized I went to school with him.”

“Yeah?”

He put the last dish in the dishwasher. “I went to school with a lot of people. Some of whom moved away and never came back. Some of whom never left.”

“And some who moved away and then came back.”

“Yeah.” He met my gaze. “The town has changed. Remember, I went away ten years ago. First for university and then for…other stuff. I didn’t come home much.”

On impulse, I held open my arms.

He didn’t disappoint. He stepped right into them and rested his head above my heart. “Things will have changed.”

“And Cadence can take us through that. Some things won’t have changed—like I don’t want your parents as neighbors.” I chuckled. “But I mentioned Arnav and Foster’s neighborhood. It’s at the top of my price range, but it’s doable.”

“That’s a great neighborhood—and near Cedar Street Elementary school. A bit of a longer walk to the high school, but not much.”

“Cadence said all that. There are two houses in that area we’re looking at. I can certainly drive the kids to school, but I’m trying to give them more independence.”

“Because you’re a good dad.” He pulled back and met my gaze. “If you’re sure.”

“I am.” No matter the role he might play in my life, I wanted his input. I trusted him. “So do you want to drive or should I?”

“If you drive, I can review the houses you’re looking at. ”

“Great.” I pulled my keys out of my pocket. “Are you okay with me leaving the toys and gifts? They’re for you, after all.” I wanted him to feel comfortable. I knew having his toys had ended in betrayal before.

“I have a safe.”

“I’m glad to hear that.” I grinned. “Why don’t you put them away while I pack up my things and then we can get on the road? Timmie’s or Starbucks or both?”

“I suppose I could try a caramel macchiato.” He arched an eyebrow.

“You’ll love it.” I pressed a kiss to his cheek.

Ten minutes later we were on the road.

Twenty minutes after that, we got our coffees.

Five minutes after that glorious task was accomplished, we met with Cadence.

Three hours later, we’d seen four houses.

The suggested fifth had been six blocks from Jai’s parents. Different neighborhoods—and different median income levels—but Keegan would have to walk within a block of their house.

Hard no.

In the end, the two from Arnav and Foster’s area were the best choices. Hell, one was on their street.

We stood on the street before the available house closest to my new friends.

Cadence texted furiously while Jai and I sipped our waters.

“Alessandra and Smith want to meet us for lunch at Fifties. If that’s okay.” I checked my phone. “Well, late lunch. She said the kids have had a light snack. Paisley and Kyle are going to stay behind to watch a soccer match. Apparently they’re obsessed and want to watch the game live.”

Jai pursed his lips. “Again, are you sure you want me there? I can grab a cab home— ”

I snagged his hand with my one that wasn’t clutching my phone. “I know we haven’t talked. But I want you in my life. It’ll be up to you in what capacity—”

“Okay!” Cadence strode over. “I managed to finagle us appointments at three and four o’clock.”

“Uh, that was generous of them.” I didn’t know much about real estate, but leaving one’s house twice in a day was a pain.

“I was honest and said we were down to two and likely to put in an offer shortly.” He met my gaze. “Your mortgage person at the credit union has everything organized, right?”

“Yep.”

“And I can draw up the offer as soon as you make a decision. We’ll make it contingent on financing and a home inspection. Both the houses are newer, but I want you to have a clear picture of what you’re dealing with.”

“I’ve contacted the inspection company, and they can send someone on Monday.”

“Perfect. So we’re good.” He clapped his hands.

“Do you want to come to lunch as well? Meet the kids?”

He grinned. “I never turn down an offer to meet new people. I heard you say Alessandra?”

“Yep.”

“Alessandra and Smith MacLean?”

“Yep. “

“I helped them find their home.”

I laughed. “Oh, wow. That must have been an interesting search.”

“Not really. I found out the house was about to go onto the market, and it had everything they were looking for—and anything else that might come up, they could, frankly afford to do themselves. So Smith offered over the asking price, and the house never officially went on the market. We’d been scouting empty lots, but in the end, he wanted something quick. ”

I considered commenting Cadence probably did very well on that transaction—the house was massive and on a huge plot of land—but that might be crass. “They were lucky to have you.”

“They’re good people. Alessandra’s from Mission City and did some great work with social services. Now she does different stuff, but it’s always to help people. I think Pride Camp is a fantastic idea. I wish it had been around when I was growing up. Okay.” He clapped his hands. “Lunch?”

“Fifties.”

His eyes lit. “Oh wow. My fave. I’ll meet you down there. I just have to make a quick phone call.”

“Great.” I pocketed my phone, belatedly realizing I still held Jai’s hand.

Our gazes met as Cadence walked away.

“Come with me?”

“Sure.” He offered a shy smile.

Thirty minutes later, five adults and two kids crowded into a booth. Wesley, in his high chair, had the most space.

I couldn’t have been happier.

After we’d placed our order with Sarabeth, Cadence produced the specs for both houses and passed them to Alaina and Keegan.

Both scrutinized each one. They sat between Jai, who was against the wall, and Alessandra who was on the end busily feeding her son some applesauce.

I sat between Smith and Cadence on the other side.

“Houses?” Keegan pointed to the pictures. “With actual backyards and grass and—”

“Duh.” Alaina rolled her eyes .

I cleared my throat.

“Sorry.” She pushed her sheet back. “And we’re going to see them after lunch?”

I nodded. “Now, I don’t want you to pay attention to the paint color and furniture, okay? We can repaint anything, and you’ll be bringing your own things.” Or I’d be buying new stuff for them—if I could fit it into the budget.

“And it’s three blocks from my new school?” Alaina eyed me “French Immersion, right? Mom said French was so important. She fought to get us into the program.” Spots were limited in Vancouver, and twice Erlene had engaged in what was essentially the hunger games to get her kids into the school.

She’d succeeded. And been so proud of herself.

You did so right by them, sweet lady. I hope I can do the same . “Yes. I’ve already put your name on the list. Regardless of where we live, you’ll be going to this school. I just might have to drive you, or you might have to take the bus.”

Alaina wrinkled her nose. “I don’t want to do either of those things.”

“No, I know that. That’s why Cadence focused on this neighborhood. There are other houses. We’re not in a rush.”

“Unless that nice lady sells our condo.” Alaina held my gaze.

“And I’m eight blocks away from my school?” Keegan continued to stare at the paper before him. “Uphill on the way home?”

“I can come and get you, or you can take the bus.”

“I can walk it.” He tipped his chin up.

“I know you can.” My little boy wasn’t so little anymore. And Alaina was growing like a weed. New clothes for everyone next month before they started school.

“My new friends Arnav and Foster live nearby. They have a dog. ”

“Can we have a dog?” Alaina’s eyes widened. “We weren’t even allowed a cat in the condo. Oh, can we get a dog?”

Jai’s gaze shot to mine.

I smiled slowly, then refocused on the kids. “That’s entirely possible. A rescue, though, okay?”

“I know a great trainer I can put you in touch with.” Cadence grinned. “Torah Dixon.”

Jai rolled his eyes. “Older sister to Sunshine.”

The woman who worked at The Owl’s Nest. See? I was getting it. “Let’s rescue the dog first. There are several animal-control offices across the Vancouver area and into Cedar Valley. Obviously we want a dog who is good with kids.”

Alaina put her hands on her hips. “We’re not kids.”

Jai blinked.

I smiled. “Sorry. Young adults.”

Alessandra chuckled. “They grow up so fast.”

Wesley chortled.

Cadence and Smith laughed.

I held Jai’s gaze. Break the news to the kids now or in private? Alaina’d been quite taken with my…friend? Boyfriend? Lover?

Keegan kept casting his gaze between the two of us.

Yeah, he knew.

“So…”

“Okay, I’ve got everyone’s food. Going to take a couple of trips.” Sarabeth spent the next few minutes getting everyone settled.

When everyone was happily munching, I ventured, “How would you feel if Jai spent time with us?”

Alaina rolled her eyes. “It’s so obvious you’re a couple. Like, finally.” She continued eating her fries.

Keegan blinked .

Shit.

“Mom wanted you to find someone else after she died.” He sighed.

“You knew that?”

“She asked me to make sure you did. Like I was a little matchmaker or something.” He rolled his eyes. Then he smiled. “She was a romantic.”

Love bloomed in my chest. “Yeah, she was.”

Smith subtly pressed his shoulder to mine.

I blinked.

Jai smiled shyly.

Alessandra winked.

Yeah. We’re going to be okay.