Page 212 of Tech Bros

“Shit,” I say.

Evan lifts his head from Isaac’s chest. “What?”

I show him the picture of the litter of six puppies. Half of them black, and half of them white with black spots.

“Motherfucker,” Evan mutters.

Isaac sees the photo and laughs before patting his lap. “Come here, grandpa. I can make you feel better.”

“Fuck you for calling me that. She’s lucky I’m rich now.”

When Evan doesn’t make a move toward Isaac, Isaac pulls him over himself. Evan winds up straddling Isaac’s lap but facing me.

I text Millie that we’ll be in touch, then I give up on Spotify, put my phone on do not disturb and move closer to them. “She’s gonna want child support, too.”

“Maybe you could just marry her instead,” Evan says.

“I’m gonna have to move out of the apartment, aren’t I?”

This perks Isaac up, and I realize I definitely said that out loud in his presence. “That gives me a wild idea,” he says.

“Look,” I begin, but he cuts me off.

“What was it you were saying earlier, baby?” he asks Evan. “Something about everything happening in its own time?”

Evan puts his hands on my shoulders and makes me look him in the eyes. “You never needed a roommate, you know?”

I frown at him, sort of aware of what he’s getting at, but still needing him to say it. “I love that apartment.”

“Then keep it. Rent it to someone else. Find someplace even better for you guys.”

I shake my head. “That wasn’t the deal.”

It’s his turn to look at me in confusion.

“You belong with us,” I remind him. “We agreed. Remember?”

Evan is quiet for a moment while he looks at me. I don’t look away. Isaac wraps his arm around his bare waist and kisses his shoulder.

“I need,” Evan whispers. “I need…”

I wait for either him to finish or Isaac to help him out. I have no clue what Evan needs beyond everything I’ve already traveled hundreds of miles to give him.

Isaac presses a kiss to his cheek and says, “A yard.” He looks at me. “A nice weight room.”

I move to sit, wrapping my legs around both of them, listening intently, like it’s the best bedtime story ever told. Evan rests his head against my chest, and I lean my cheek against his hair.

Isaac stares into my eyes. “A gourmet kitchen with a huge refrigerator and a double oven. Gas burners. Two sinks?”

I nod.

He goes on. “Bay windows. A big shower.”

“A guest room for Jake,” I say.

“Dedicated parking.”

“A really nice, private patio,” Evan offers softly.