Page 68 of The Boyfriend Gamble

He grinned. “She’s good. Coming in later to study. When I’m off. I plan to join her.”

Both he and his girlfriend attended the university over in Abbotsford.

I was jealous. I hadn’t gone to college. Had finished high school and figured I was golden with my job in the oil patch.

Until I lost said job, my cheating boyfriend dumped me, and I got tired of pretending the work I’d been doing hadn’t been incredibly detrimental to the environment.

So I’d answered an ad for an assistant gardener, aced the interview, and headed south. I’d been diligently saving for the past four years—knowing the ups and downs of oil—and so had a cushion. More than enough for first and last month’s rent as well as everything I needed until I’d gotten my first paycheck. I had to work hard…but that never daunted me.

“Hey, are you okay?” Cameron’s concerned voice hit me unexpectedly.

“Hmm?” I squinted.

“You looked really deep in thought. I’ve ordered my tea latté. Is that your frapp?” He pointed to the counter.

“Uh, yeah.”

“Are you sure you’re okay?”

I smiled. “I was just thinking about how lucky I am to have landed in Mission City. With a great boss. With a new group of friends. With three amazing guys who play badminton and don’t roll their eyes when I get excited.”

He snickered. “You’re always very joyous—whether you win or lose.”

“We kicked their butts.”

“FP was definitely off his game. I think he was both drunker than me and stayed longer than me.”

I snagged my frapp and would’ve thanked Blake, but they were making Cameron’s drink. “He was a little green this morning.”

“But didn’t want us to notice.” Cameron grinned. “I could’ve gone easy on him.”

“Yeah, but Knight didn’t go easy on us.”

“Here you go.” Blake placed the tea latté on the counter.

“You’re awesome, Blake, thank you.” Cameron saluted the barista.

“My thanks as well.” I grinned.

Their cheeks pinkened a little, which was so sweet. “My pleasure.”

“Blake, can you grab the till?” Tristan waved to us. “Sorry.”

Simultaneously, we waved—completely understanding this was one of the busiest stores in Mission City. Well, and the Timmie’s next door.

Cameron pointed to the overstuffed and very comfortable chairs.

Gratefully, I sank down. I stuck the reusable plastic straw I’d brought into my drink. I avoided paper when I could. Better for the environment than single-use plastic, but the darn things had to be made and, more frustratingly, they got soggy if I nursed my drink too long.

Since this was my treat for the week, I always took my time. Tristan and Blake knew I usually ordered a black coffee in the drive-thru while on the way to work.

Cameron sat.

Although more slowly.

He sipped his tea latté in a ceramic mug. “I owe you an apology.”

Oh fuck.

---