Page 41 of Quinton's Quest

“I’m trying to ease into the role of pseudo-stepparent without too much stress. They love both their fathers, and I don’t want to screw up.”

“Sounds complicated.”And this is so going to bite me in the ass if Leo ever finds out I’m having this conversation at all.Well, these two might not be pleased either if they knew the truth.

“We’re making it work. My ex has them most weekends. So this is the first time we’ve ventured out.” Gideon took another sip.

“Oh, we’ve been out before.” Archer laughed. “Just this is the first time since the kids have come to live with us that we’ve ventured away from the house. We’re homebodies.” He chuckled. “I used to love living in the city. Now I’m Mission City through and through.”

“Ah. Well, I was born and raised here. I work over in Abbotsford, though.”

“Oh?” Gideon eyed the spring rolls.

I held up the plate. “Before Lucia gets back and steals them away.”

Both men grabbed one.

“Yeah, so I work in the hospital over there. I’m a nurse.” I opened the fridge and pulled out a veggie tray. I held my breath as I peeled off the lid to the dip.

“The Abbotsford hospital?” Gideon’s voice was quiet.

“Uh, yeah. You like carrots?” I held up the tray.

Both men gestured to the uneaten spring rolls in their hands.

“Too hot?”

Archer shook his head, then took a bite.

“My ex-husband is a doctor at the hospital.” Gideon held my gaze. “But he’s new there, so you might not know him.”

“New doctor? Oh, Dr. Rodgers?” I blinked as if this was an entirely new thought.You’re not going to win any fucking acting awards with this shit.

“Uh, yeah. Rodgers. That’s my last name as well.” A slight tinge pinkened his cheeks.

“I’ve met Dr. Rodgers. He’s, uh, an interesting character.”

Before I could say anything else, Foster stuck his head through the door. “Lucia asked about spring rolls?” The shy man offered a sheepish grin.

“For the man who proposed to his boyfriend at my last party? Anything.” I handed him the tray.

He snagged it and disappeared.

“Is it awkward that we’re here?” Gideon winced. “I’m going to be honest and say I don’t know anything about how things work when you meet a friend of your ex-husband’s.”

“As a divorce attorney, I should be better able to advise.” Archer sighed. “Alas, I do everything in my power to avoid my ex-wife and her new husband as well.”

So much to unpack there.

I picked the lowest hanging fruit. “Oh, you’re bi? Me too!”

Except maybe he’s gay and has always been in the closet?

Archer grinned. “Yeah. Surprised the hell out of my family because they didn’t know about my boyfriend in university. They just saw me with my wife and it never occurred to them I might swing both ways. Until I introduced them to Gideon, of course.”

Gideon’s cheeks pinkened.

“You two make an adorable couple, and I’m glad you’re here.”

“Do you mind if we hang out here for a little bit?” Gideon bit his lip.