Page 23 of The Boyfriend Gamble

Oh, and he and Ben took every opportunity to head to the west side of Vancouver Island and the ocean. In fact, they were headed there for a week of hiking when school ended.

Isaac caught my eye and raised his beer.

We often shared a little laugh over Ben’s enthusiasm versus our…quietness. The man was a solid and positive presence in Ben’s life. As husbands, they made a good match.

Ben, like me, was still young. We both wanted children but also agreed waiting until we were at least in our late twenties made sense.

The couple lived in an apartment in Mission City and were saving for their own place. Tough to do with real estate prices what they were.

Again, I marvelled at my house. I shouldn’t have been able to afford it.

Jacob should be charging me more for the renovations.

But I pushed aside those thoughts and clung to Josette. “You’re happy, right?”

Her smile faltered just a touch. “Why do you ask?”

“Well, just because you said you wanted a wedding in the woods when you were five years old, doesn’t mean you want to live in them when you’re twenty-five.”

She laughed. “We’re not exactly livingin the woods. We’ll have indoor plumbing, Felix.” She gazed at the house. “It’s everything I could’ve asked for. It’s you.”

“And you,” I quickly added.

“And me,” she agreed, although more slowly.

I wasn’t convinced.

Still, when the party broke up, I accepted the congratulations from everyone.

And noticed how Jacob and Seth kept talking long after everyone had left except Josie and me.

“What do you think is so fascinating?” Josie grinned. “Do you think they might be forming afriendship?”

No missing the emphasis. Jacob was a lover of all people, but I hadn’t gotten a vibe from the cop that he might be gay. “Don’t meddle, Josette.”

She placed a hand on her chest dramatically. “Moi?”

“Yes, you.” I scowled. “You’re way too much in Jacob’s business.”

She pursed her lips. “I want him to find the happiness we have.”

“He’s got a thriving business, dates regularly, plays rec hockey, and has close friends. Oh, and a meddling sister. What else could a guy want?”

I compared Jacob’s life to mine. How could I not? I had a job I loved and the woman I was supposed to love. I had a few close friends like Ben and Isaac, so that counted for something. But I didn’t play sports or, obviously, date regularly.

Twenty-five years old and still a virgin.

Josie stroked my cheek. “Soon, okay, love?”

Does she mean sex, moving in together, or marriage?

And why did all three leave me cold?

I saw the last of the revelers off. Well, helpers who stuck around for a barbecue. We’d completely gutted the place.

Jacob and his team were ready to go Monday morning.

Josette had all the design stuff organized and was ready to tackle the house after that.

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