Page 109 of The Boyfriend Gamble

I didn’t want to seem too keen.

Then, over brunch, he’d asked Ryan about therapy training for dogs. And since Chia was a rescue, how had she adapted.

Simeon had cocked his head.

Cameron dropped that he was thinking of getting a dog.

I’d shared my dream of one day having a dog about a week ago. But lamented I couldn’t in my apartment, and it would be tough to have a dog by myself—although for the right rescue, I’d work it out.

When we’d been over at Rayne and Everett’s three nights ago, Cameron had casually mentioned wanting a dog as well. But that he also had concerns about leaving the dog home alone all day.

To which Rayne, apparently having overheard us, said Champ was fine alone all day as long as he got lots of attention from hisdaddieswhen they got home.

Everett had rolled his eyes.

And grinned.

Okay. So fourteen days ago, I’d been single and crushing on my badminton partner.

I’d found the courage to coax FP into inviting Cameron to the bonfire.

You might want to tell Cameron about that before FP spills the beans.

Tonight. At home alone. Hopefully he’d be flattered and not annoyed.

Right.

Tanner plopped June in my lap.

I gripped her tightly as she stared up at me, apparently equally startled. I expected her to start squawking at being unceremoniously placed in the arms of someone she didn’t know.

As she held me captive with her soft-blue eyes, though, she reached out her hands.

I moved my head closer.

She grasped my cheeks.

I smiled.

She placed a kiss to my nose.

Or what I took to be a kiss. What did I know about one-year-olds? Maybe she thought she might be able to lick something off or something.

I continued to smile.

She continued to hold my gaze.

I swallowed. And blinked.

Yeah. This. There have to be other kids out there like you who need two loving daddies. Maybe not babies. Maybe older kids. Maybe kids who look like me. Maybe kids who look like my boyfriend. Maybe kids who don’t look like either of us.

Just…kids.

I wanted that. And I needed to find the courage to be honest with Cameron.

Speaking of…

He gently eased himself onto the couch next to me.

---