Page 31 of The Boyfriend Gamble

“How did you find out?” I squinted.

“Well, your realtor is Cadence Crawford. Cadence helped me buy my property, and we’re kind of friends and, well, you know…”

A lot of trailing sentences in this discussion. “I guess there isn’t really realtor/client privilege.”

Stanley’s eyes widened. “I didn’t mean for him to get in trouble.”

I offered an impish grin. “No worries. Especially now that Angus isn’t in my class anymore. Point out my property and let him know he’s welcome anytime. As long as he tells someone where he’s going,” I added.

“He’s got a cell phone and instructions on how often to keep in touch.” Stanley shook his head. “They grow up so damn fast.”

“Yeah. This is my second year teaching. In a couple of years, those first kids will be off to high school.”

Stanley snickered. “You’re young, Mr. Stevenson.”

“Please, call me Felix.”

“Yeah, I can do that. And it’s Stanley.”

Since I’d been calling him that in my mind this entire time, it didn’t require much of a mindset shift. See? Letting go of this school year already.

A cry from the group of kids caught our attention.

Before I could register anything, Stanley sprinted away. For a guy who was almost fifty, he moved fast.

I followed at a more sedate pace since he was already at the kids’ side.

He swept Opal up into his arms.

“Is she okay?” Angus’s brow furrowed. “She tripped.” He caught my gaze. “Honestly, we didn’t push her.”

“I’m sure you didn’t.” Stanley brushed her hair from her face.

Adam and Kylie looked just as bewildered.

“Papa,” Opal wailed, wrapping her arms around Stanley’s neck.

My heart took a knock. I wanted that. A kid of my own.

And I couldn’t fathom the uncertainty Justin and Stanley faced with Opal’s future up in the air. How would I cope if I cared that deeply for a child who might be taken away at any moment?

Well, as long as Josette and I were able to have children of our own, I wouldn’t have to face the uncertainty that foster parents faced. And although Stanley was Angus’s uncle, he and Justin had adopted the boy, offering all the protection they could.

Oh, Opal had scraped her knee. Didn’t look too bad, but looks could be deceiving. “Would you like me to get the first aid kit?”

Stanley shook his head, pressing another kiss to Opal’s temple. “We should be heading home. I’ll take care of it there.” He smiled at Angus. “Everything’s going to be okay. Say goodbye to Mr. Stevenson.”

Angus turned to me. “Goodbye, Mr. Stevenson.”

A lump caught in my throat. “Goodbye, Angus. You can always talk to me, okay? Even if I’m not your teacher.”

“Yeah, I know that.” Angus gazed up at Stanley. “Just like I can always talk to my dad.”

Stanley blinked.

I hadn’t realized, although I probably should have, that Angus referred to his uncle as hisdad. Likely it wouldn’t have registered until I had the two before me.

“Papa, home.” Little imperious Opal.

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